Author Archives: author

Tomorrow there’s the  2022 edition of the Klasikoa in San Sebastián, a race I love seeing live. This year sadly, once again, I’ve resigned myself to watching it on television. Here’s what happened back in 2016. Typically, our visit to the Clasica San Sebastian forms part of a longer trip but occasionally, like this year, […] …

Continue reading “One from the vaults: Postcard from San Sebastian – 2016 City of Culture — View from the Back”

The first problem I face with assembling my Top 100 Science Fiction Short Stories list is that I’m partial to crusty old SF stories that younger readers will feel are badly dated. Our discussion group read “Rescue Party” by Arthur C. Clarke for today. Here’s my comment: Some members of the group, and not always […] …

Continue reading “The Problems with Classic Science Fiction — Classics of Science Fiction”

It is some time since I was able to add a new tea to my collection. What a treat it was then to receive this box of English Breakfast Tea under the label of Ahmad Tea of London. English Breakfast tea has always been a favourite of mine for it is strong and robust – […] …

Continue reading “AHMAD TEA – ENGLISH BREAKFAST — Something Over Tea”

The first problem I face with assembling my Top 100 Science Fiction Short Stories list is that I’m partial to crusty old SF stories that younger readers will feel are badly dated. Our discussion group read “Rescue Party” by Arthur C. Clarke for today. Here’s my comment: Some members of the group, and not always […] …

Continue reading “The Problems with Classic Science Fiction — Classics of Science Fiction”

Hello everyone it’s Zainab here, welcome or welcome back to the blog! So, I used to do quite few book reviews, but over the summer I’ve had a bit of a reading slump and have not been reading much. In school, we’ve read an Inspector Calls and it’s kind of been easing me back into […] …

Continue reading “An Inspector Calls Book Review — Zainab Chats”

Today I want to continue my little series on An Inspector Calls. I will be looking at Shiela Birling who is the daughter of Arthur Birling and engaged to be married to Gerald Croft. The relationship between Eva Smith and Shiela is a fascinating one. First their lives are similar in that they are dependent …

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Today is the Tolkien Toast. Tolkien fans across the world will, at 9pm, raise a glass of their favourite tipple and proclaim “The Professor”. I think it is pretty obvious that I am a Tolkien fan. I am listening to Lord of the Rings whilst I write this. I am dyslexic and struggled as a …

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Happy New Years Day! In Scotland you can expect to do First Footing. The first person to come to your door receives a present such as a lovely piece of coal. In my family it is traditional to eat roast beef with Yorkshire puddings and lovely roast potatoes. Another tradition is to eat a nice …

Continue reading “Happy New Years Day”