Fires Which Burned Brightly, Sebastian Faulks A handsomely produced book this is an episodic memoir made up of stand-alone essays about different periods in his life. I liked the stories from his childhood a lot. He’s savage about the schools he attended. And I also enjoyed the chapters in which he talked about the processes involved in … [Read more...] about Books January 2026
2025 – The Year That Was
At close of year I felt 2025 had been much quieter than previous years. Until I looked back! It's nice to have a calendar year record, so here it is. Baby Boy Our over-riding joy this year has been getting to know Cooper as he grows. He’s doing that so quickly; which has been our delight. Here he is in January 2025; not walking or talking … [Read more...] about 2025 – The Year That Was
Westwood / Kawakuba Exhibition – Part Two
This is my second blog on this very large exhibition; you can see the first one here. This display is near the start; showing Vivienne in her activist role. The dress on the left is from a 2007 collection entitled 56 - referencing a proposal by the British Government to increase to 56 days the period for which terror suspects could be held without … [Read more...] about Westwood / Kawakuba Exhibition – Part Two
Westwood / Kawakubo at the NGV – Part One
Pauline and I visited this exhibition on the 13th of December 2025. We had earlier been to a curator's discussion with the exhibition designer. At which I should have taken notes, because it all made sense and was exciting, but I couldn't remember it while looking at the exhibition! The gallelries were meant to evoke different parts of the body - … [Read more...] about Westwood / Kawakubo at the NGV – Part One
Final Books for 2025 – December Reading
Just A Little Dinner, Cécile Tlili A French writer I've not heard of before, but I enjoyed this very much. Contemporary Paris, a claustrophobic dinner with all four participants hiding secrets and vulnerabilities. Claudia and Étienne, Johar and Rémi. There's a pregnancy, an as yet undiscovered (or not) affair, a possible work promotion and a … [Read more...] about Final Books for 2025 – December Reading
Books – November 2025
Tokyo Express, Seichō Matsumato I’ve wanted to read this for a while. It’s regarded as a classic in the mystery genre. I liked it, especially because it stuck to the rules of mystery writing. At the conclusion you realise all the clues have been laid out for you. There’s a lot turning on train timetables and I was not quite sufficiently … [Read more...] about Books – November 2025