I had visited to Athens twice before: once in 1971, when I was 16, and once with my wife Anne, in 2000. Only for a couple of days in each case; all I can really remember is traipsing up to the Acropolis and visiting two or three museums. This year we decided to spend four…
It used to be cheap. It no longer is, but I don't care. I've enjoyed every day I've spent in Greece. Having just come back from a fortnight in - possibly - my favourite country, I'm waxing lyrical yet again. We day we left Herne Hill began rather strangely. While waiting for our train to…
We haven't been annihilated by Russian missiles. The invasion of Ukraine continues, with thousands killed and millions made refugees, but it all seems far away, certainly far enough to be forgotten on a sunny day in May. I have a feeling that British interest in this war is waning, as it becomes almost normal, a…
It is easy to forget that 40 years ago our country (my country, that is) was at war. Very easy for someone of my generation to forget that it happened four decades ago. And even easier for subsequent generations, because there has been little about it in the news (not that I wish to be…
You have to treat yourself once in a while, innit? I freely admit to having several guitars. There is the Fender F55 12-string I've had since 1973. But one of the tuning pegs is knackered and it has no pickup or on-board tuner. I don't play it. I could sell it. Maybe I will one…
I am back in the Wirral working on the order of service for Dad's funeral. I have already chosen three pieces of music and am beginning to draft my eulogy. I'm looking for suitable photographs. But the thing is, he's still alive For the second time, and now definitively, Mum and Dad have moved into…
Wednesday 26 January is Dad's 96th birthday, an event I was beginning to think would not take place. He has looked close to death on several occasions. But what do I know? Caring for one elderly parent is difficult and exhausting, but caring for two (one of whom has dementia) is almost impossible. It is…
I have been reviewing my posts from last year. It is far from riveting stuff. There was a great deal about Covid-19 (no surprise there); a bit of nostalgia; quite a lot about getting out of London, when possible (and there were more escapes than I mentioned - including a very enjoyable weekend in Paris),…
It isn't working. Certain things, such as having to climb half a dozen stairs to use the lift, are admittedly problematic, but could be dealt with, given time. But it is clear that they have already made up their minds. Everything is wrong. "It's never going to work," says Dad. Mum is crying, and wants…
I sit in the gloom watching my father sleeping, mouth wide open ( his default mode these days), while my mother stares at the TV. It doesn’t matter what is on because she doesn’t understand much of it. Daytime TV is mind-destroying anyway I have seen too much TV recently: Dion Dublin talking about knocking…
The Wight Stuff 