Life
King of the hills
There are now two Kings of the Marlborough Downs. Leading jumps trainer Alan King has long trained top horses at…
Bridge
Pierre Zimmermann, Monaco’s uber-sponsor, has put another unmissable, thrilling tournament in the calendar. The first European Winter Games gave those…
Moral sainthood is a bore; sinners are much more fun
Gstaad I had the rather subversive idea of offering a six-figure sum to Oriel College, Oxford. On one condition: that…
Exit, pursued by drunk polar bear
The hotel reception was lit by three gloomy low-wattage light bulbs. It should have been six but the management was…
There is affordable healthcare the other side of the Hindhead tunnel
After the £1,100 quote from the vet in London I drove down the A3 and out the other side of…
Why I won’t be picking up litter for the Queen
I am sure that the Queen disapproves of litter as much as anyone else, but she’s hardly ever exposed to…
The marabou defecation was so voluminous that the sapeur was beyond salvation
Nairobi Nairobi’s old avenues were designed to be wide enough for a wagon and several span of oxen to U-turn…
Bridge
It’s got to be the most bizarre news story of the year: last week, no fewer than 50 Thai police…
Mighty Magnus
The world champion is back on form. After winning the overall laurels in last year’s Grand Tour, and taking first…
No. 395
White to play. This position is from Van Wely-Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2016. Carlsen had a lucky escape in this…
Now we are rich
In Competition No. 2934 you were invited to submit a poem suitable for inclusion in Now We are Rich. You…
2247: Commoners II
The unclued lights (one of two words), individually or as three pairs, are of a kind. Across 9 …
To 2244: Faithful
The unclued lights are DOGS from the classics, legend or of noted people. First prize David Maddison, London E1 Runners-up…
Would I have broken my neck for a bit of TV fame?
Not long ago I was asked if I wanted to participate in a Channel 4 reality show called The Jump.…
Battle for Britain
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Maybe you should tax me more – just don’t touch my dishwasher
There was a big fuss a year or so ago about a book by a French chap called Piketty about…
Dear Mary: How can I teach my godson to write thank-you letters?
Q. I recently rediscovered a wonderful 22-year-old godson. He came to shoot for the first time and was a marvellous…
The perfect wines to toast the end of the hunting season
A few years ago, a distinguished cove in the diplomatic service was made High Commissioner to Australia. To prepare himself…
Beware of misusing ‘be aware’
My husband pointed with his stick, which he carries not to steady himself but to cudgel pedestrians out of his…
Battle for Britain
Got something to add? Join the discussion and comment below.
Mighty Magnus
The world champion is back on form. After winning the overall laurels in last year’s Grand Tour, and taking first…
No. 395
White to play. This position is from Van Wely-Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2016. Carlsen had a lucky escape in this…
Now we are rich
In Competition No. 2934 you were invited to submit a poem suitable for inclusion in Now We are Rich. You…
Your problems solved
Q. I recently rediscovered a wonderful 22-year-old godson. He came to shoot for the first time and was a marvellous…
Game show
A few years ago, a distinguished cove in the diplomatic service was made High Commissioner to Australia. To prepare himself…
