Laterally Speaking

When I was eight, my favourite item of clothing was my ‘Zorro’ mask. Simple, black and elegant, I wouldn’t go anywhere without it. Kids’ parties, walking the dog, playing in the garden or even going to bed—on went my mask Read more »

We’ve always had conspiracy theories. Any major news event results in official reaction as to what’s happened, why it occurred and who was responsible, but this is often not the end of the matter. Within a few days you can Read more »

My first camping experience was a damp and dismal one. I went on a school camping trip to northern France at the age of 14 and got thoroughly soaked. After we trouped around the D-Day beaches during the day in Read more »

As we all continue to emerge from isolation, it’s really great to be able to view real people and real places again. We’re like a troupe of bears slowly shuffling out of our winter hibernation and rubbing our eyes with Read more »

The answer is not quite. I don’t know about you, but I feel a bit like I’m aged eight and sitting in the back of the car and I’m on a long, long journey and Daddy Boris is currently driving Read more »

As we slowly pull ourselves out of the viral hole that mankind has fallen into, we are going to have to make a start at a return to normality. I’m not sure that anyone knows what ‘normal’ is supposed to Read more »

Like most of you, I feel like I’m living in a sort of suspended animation. I certainly have no idea what day of the week it is since today is much the same as yesterday and the day before. Weekends Read more »

Thank goodness February has gone. Good riddance. It’s been dark and rainy and windy and wet and generally damp and dismally poo. No wonder I’ve caught an acute case of GOM disease… G.O.M. standing for “Grumpy Old Man”. The only Read more »

After all that loud and frantic festive activity throughout December and ongoing parties in January, I expect you’ve been longing for a good rest. A bit of peace and quiet to allow the body and soul to recuperate. Some of Read more »

Any day now, they’re going to start arriving. It’s a widely recognised signal and a warning icon. It is just like the first cuckoo in Spring (although I haven’t heard any cuckoo in Dorset over the last ten years) or Read more »