Witches and Wizards

It seems that it's become popular to condemn Halloween as an American import. But I'm all in favour of dressing up, dunking for apples and decorating the house. It's an important part of our history and culture and gives children a healthy respect for dark places and strange noises.

Trick or treating, on the other hand, is robbery with a fancy yankee name and should be treated accordingly whenever practised by someone of a criminally responsible age.

Timber!

After several years on death row, our pittosporum tenuifolium has met its maker. The tree which once dominated our back garden is a New Zealand native often used for hedging. It has black flowers and unpleasant smelling berries. It is known for drinking far too much water. It is not usually known for growing four or five metres high as ours had done.

Eventually, we had enough. All our other plants, including an acer, a magnolia, a cherry tree and a cordyline, were suffering from lack of light, water and nutrients. Trimming the monster tree had little effect. There was nothing for it but to remove the offending article.

We went about the beast with a bow saw, the jaws of death and a pair of secateurs. After three trips to the tip, only the trunk remained. Skene laboured away and eventually felled it, breaking an axe shaft in the process.

The garden seems to have breathed a sigh of relief.

Click here for photos of the man in action and some before and after shots.

Bunkum at Bunker

Last night we went to Bunker (with an umlaut) in Covent Garden. There they offered soup (with an umlaut) on their grub (with an umlaut) menu. So far, so quirky.

Things became too much though when I visited the washrooms, labelled as "himm" and "herr". Where was the ladies' loo? Very very daft.

London 2012: the games with bells on

I gather that there may be morris dancers at the opening ceremony for the Olympics. Skene has seven years then to perfect his accordion playing! Olympic glory is within reach...

Shouldn't they have pearly kings and queens too though?

Happy Birthday!

My father has a very significant birthday to celebrate today. And he's not too pleased about it.

He can however, take comfort from the fact that he is one day younger than the Radio 4 institution, Today in Parliament.

Hopefully, his present will distract him too.

House-Trained

We have recently had the pleasure of hosting an Australian friend during his stopover en-route to Sweden.

Despite the reputation that Antipodeans have for overstaying their welcome, Ian was an acceptable addition to the household at all times. He managed to keep his dirty socks out of sight, didn't eat us out of house and home and showed the right level of interest in all sight-seeing activities.

Last night, with his departure imminent, he created a delicious feast for us - Thai Surprise - cooked entirely from ingredients sourced from Tesco (perhaps the biggest surprise of all). Fortunately, the resultant mess in the kitchen was only superficial.

And so I can safely say he's welcome to return when he comes back to London to pick up his working visa. But he mustn't think that he's forgiven for failing to bring the fezes.

For Ian's account of his visit and some photos of tourist activities, visit his go moron blog.

Pocket Money and Picket Lines

This blog has remained for the most part apolitical and silent on the otherwise domineering topic of work. But given the interesting times in which we practise, it seems appropriate to say something now.

But my views count for little being self-interested and subjective. So I will direct you towards an independent Observer for a sympathetic take on matters.

Suffice it to say though that we should question whether reforms are proposed in society's best interest when politicians say such ill-judged and illiberal things as Charles Clarke and Tony Blair have recently.