The chick pea is a marvellous thing. For the record, it has nothing to do with chicks, and not all that much to do with peas, though it is a leguminous plant. For all you academics and trivia seekers out there, its botanical name is cicer arietinum, the first part lending itself to the ancestors [...]
I was upset but not surprised by the latest news from Cancer Research that the incidence of breast cancer is rising and that the chances of contracting the disease are now 1 in 8, the women at greatest risk being those over 50. The report goes on to suggest that the reasons for this increase [...]
Nearly five years ago, a greengrocery shop opened on the outskirts of Hereford, marking the beginning of a new life for one couple who had chosen to exchange their metropolitan lifestyle for something more meaningful in a quieter corner of England. As with all such ventures, it took a while to get the project going. [...]
There’s an old joke about a Yorkshireman whose wife had recently died. He goes to the stonemason to order a headstone, and tells the stonemason that he just wants to keep it simple, so the only inscription he wants is: she was thine. When he returns to collect the headstone, he notices a spelling mistake [...]
I have a dreadful admission to make: I seem to be unable to function without the aid of technology. Twelve days ago, I returned from a truly unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable trip to see my brother in New Zealand. Following a very welcome home-coming supper with Sally, my son George and his partner, Laney, one [...]