Cheese shopping time for the family Christmas cheese and wine evening. No Paxton’s this year (I was too late), but Neal’s Yard Dairy always provides a fantastic alternative. May even sneak a bonus Baron Bigod in there. I love that stuff.

I’m not sure it’s a full admiral, being equipped only with various fishes, shallots, leeks and mushrooms, but it’s definitely a “senior-post-captain-on-the-list-awaiting-the-man-above-to-resign-or-die” pie.

Pig-in-blanket season open, declares Local Man. “I wouldn’t have thought he was the type, he’s usually a quiet man who keeps himself to himself” says Neighbour.

Not only did I have the joy of watching a perfect London skyline sunset whilst sitting in our horizon scanning and futures meeting earlier (I’ll admit, it was quite distracting), but West India Quay looked rather lovely when I emerged.

Twelve years and one day between these photos. A little older, a little wider, not much wiser. But indisputably more of a complete human. And if that sounds a little “live, laugh, love”, be reassured that I only *think* this is the right viewpoint. The fog made it hard to tell.

Cheers from a snowy/icy Montreal, where I have taken refuge in a bar, solely to get away from the weather, you understand.

English kings considering invading France again:

Yes, it’s getting to that sort of season.

An excellent (and, I suppose appropriately seasonal) read from Malcolm Gaskill. History as story, the tale of a single witch trial in New England, which does a fantastic job of illustrating the psychology of the fringes of the European world.

Thames was looking absolutely gorgeous last night.

Bristol remains a very ‘aesthetic’ city. I always get the feeling that whatever the weather context, it would be aesthetically pleasing, but in different ways.

Bristol Aerospace Museum was surprisingly good. I think G-BOAF makes it four Concordes I have now been on.

One day I will actually make the time to visit the SS Great Britain, rather than just walking past it.

“Bristol bird-life confirmed as Jacobites”

Beautiful rolling countryside and views of Bath from the train to Bristol this morning.

“Oh and it’s Bonaparte with the chair! Just as the Count of Paris breaks free from the Duke’s grapple!”

Five republics, and they still can’t get it right. I hear the Duke of Anjou, the Count of Paris and the Prince Napoleon chuntering under their breaths.

#NewProfilePic

Audience (my dad and my brother), underappreciative)

I got to declaim Homer from the top of a hilltop Byzantine/Venetian mountain fortress in a small amphitheatre. Apologies, the declamation is not good (rhythm, pacing, stresses all off, I didn’t have time to rehearse). Still pretty cool though.