Writing

Book review: ‘Bento’s Sketchbook’ by John Berger

A compelling mix of journal, reminiscences, sketches, and art theory.
Book review: ‘Gone’ by Michael Blencowe

A search for what remains of the world’s extinct creatures.
No longer rocket science

A Zoom lecture makes me yearn for the golden days of blogging.
21 February 2021

The annual February pre-spring clean of our blue tit nest-box.
Newsletter No. 21: ‘Positively sluggish’

Richard Mabey • Tim Dee • Mark Cocker • Amy Liptrot • Kathleen Jamie • Patti Smith • Alan Bennett • Melissa Harrison • Urban Birder • Patrick Wright • Clive James • and more…
14 February 2021

I’ve generally had quite enough of winter, come February.
Keeping in touch

Who would have thought video-calls would become such an important way of keeping in touch?
Book review: ‘Lines in the Sand’ by A.A. Gill

Collected journalism.
Book review: ‘All Points North’ by Simon Armitage

Humorous memoir from the future Poet Laureate.
Book review: ‘The Fire of Joy’ by Clive James

Roughly eighty poems to get by heart and say aloud.
Book review: ‘The Sea View Has Me Again’ by Patrick Wright

Uwe Johnson in Sheerness (1974–1984).
Marmalade alchemy

A good way to spend a snowy day.