nəˈtɪvɪtɪ nativity: Birth, in particular the birth of Jesus Christ This is the month, and this the happy morn, Wherein the Son of Heav’n’s eternal King, Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born, Our great redemption from above did bring; For so the holy sages once did sing, That he our deadly forfeit should release, … Continue reading Nativity
Christmas News From A Parallel Universe
Brent Huckabee: Welcome back. We’re now joined by child psychologist Doctor Marietta van den Polt, who’s been at the centre of today’s unfolding story. Marietta, thanks for joining us. You were involved in the identification of the many families who were the subject of the mass social-work intervention this morning, is that correct? Marietta van … Continue reading Christmas News From A Parallel Universe
Why Do Mirrors Reverse Left And Right But Not Up And Down?
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?
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