Reflection: A transformation under which each point in a shape appears at an equal distance on the opposite side of a given line—the line of reflection. It’s not often I have occasion to shout at the television, but a recent episode of the BBC’s long-running television series QI precipitated just such an outburst. The cause … Continue reading Why Do Mirrors Reverse Left And Right But Not Up And Down?
All posts by Oikofuge
Fred Hoyle: Three Novels
Now the Home Secretary made a mistake.‘My dear Professor Kingsley, I fear you underestimate us. You may rest assured that when we make our plans we shall prepare for the very worst that can possibly overtake us.’Kingsley leaped.‘Then I fear you will be preparing for a situation in which every man, woman, and child will … Continue reading Fred Hoyle: Three Novels
Unpled
ʌnˈplɛd Unpled: (legal) not used as an argument; undefended by evidence This Court has been unable to find any case in which a plaintiff has sought such a drastic remedy in the contest of an election, in terms of the sheer volume of votes asked to be invalidated. One might expect that when seeking such … Continue reading Unpled
Glen Clova: Allan’s Hut To The Capel Mounth
Sandy Hillock (NO 266804, 768m) Dog Hillock (NO 286793, 732m) Ferrowie (NO 303794, 801m) 20.4 kilometres 1020 metres of ascent I’ve had it in mind to take this obscure little jaunt for some time—a trip along the crags on the north side of upper Glen Clova, linking the two main routes across the hills between … Continue reading Glen Clova: Allan’s Hut To The Capel Mounth
Five Years On …
I’m posting this on 13 November 2020, which is the first Friday 13th in November for five years—two leap years and three normal years have pushed the 13th right through all seven days of the week, in nudges of one or two days per year. This has significance for me because it was on Friday … Continue reading Five Years On …
Ullapool
With foreign travel currently falling into the “More Trouble Than It’s Worth” category, The Boon Companion and I have been using the brief periods between travel bans to enjoy what are nowadays called staycations, but when we were growing up were called “proper holidays”—that is, leaving home and staying in another part of the country … Continue reading Ullapool
Strange Moon
A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed three books about the activities of 161 (Special Duties) Squadron, RAF, during the Second World War. For this post, I want to talk specifically about the cover of Hugh Verity’s memoir and personal history of 161 Squadron, We Landed By Moonlight (Revised Edition), published in 2000 by Crécy. … Continue reading Strange Moon
Lomond Hills
West Lomond (NO 197066, 522m) East Lomond (NO 243061, 434m) 12.7 kilometres 480 metres of ascent This was a lunch-time impulse, on a day that suddenly seemed too good to waste. The Lomonds are a pair of ancient volcanic plugs, pushing up through layers of sedimentary rock that form an intricate escarpment around three sides … Continue reading Lomond Hills
Out Of An Abundance Of Caution
The office of Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., announced April 9 he had a positive test for the coronavirus after visiting the emergency room “out of an abundance of caution” the evening of April 6.[…]“Congresswoman Fletcher sought professional medical treatment out of an abundance of caution. At the determination of her physician, she was tested for … Continue reading Out Of An Abundance Of Caution
RAF “Special Duties” Pick-Ups In France: Three Memoirs
The whole of the effort put into pick-up operations in France throughout the war—measured by aircraft and personnel costs—was minute. In a well proportioned history of World War Two it might deserve a sentence or a footnote. And yet it is hard to imagine how the irregular forces in France could have developed to anything … Continue reading RAF “Special Duties” Pick-Ups In France: Three Memoirs