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Book review: A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

A Witch in Winter is Ruth Warburton's debut novel and the first of a trilogy centred around the reluctant teenage witch Anna Winterson as she struggles to discover her heritage and the nature of her mysterious, magical powers. Anna and her father have moved from London to the southern seaside town of Winter. A quaint and old-fashioned community replete with salty seadogs, meddling mums, picturesque harbour, wobbling sea defences and an ancient castle. Anna not only has to struggle with settling in at a new school far away from her friends, but within days of arrival she has accidentally ... Read more »

Book Review: Just Boris: The Irresistible Rise of a Political Celebrity by Sonia Purnell

Book Review: Just Boris: The Irresistible Rise of a Political Celebrity by Sonia Purnell

Never has a political assassination in print been so delicious, detailed, elegant and comprehensive. Having read Just Boris: The irresistable rise of a political celebrity it is almost impossible to like the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. John Bright's assessment of Disraeli (one of Boris's own ... Read more »
Brighton's Indian Gate at the Pavilion and the Wounded Soldiers

Brighton’s Indian Gate at the Pavilion and the Wounded Soldiers

Plenty has been written about the astonishing tale of the wounded Indian soldiers who were cared for in Brighton, often at the Pavilion, during the First World War. It was a gesture recognised by the Indians themselves and in this week 90 years ago (October 26th 1921), the Indian Gate at the ... Read more »
A bridge below: the Ouse Valley Viaduct at Balcombe

A bridge below: the Ouse Valley Viaduct at Balcombe

I tramped across a cornfield to take a proper look at something I've travelled over countless times. The beautiful and stately Ouse Valley Viaduct, just outside Balcombe, is largely unknown by the people who use it every day. Many a London/Brighton commuter will tell you how lovely the view is ... Read more »
Eton couldn't run a state school

Eton couldn’t run a state school

I'm embarassed to say the Prime Minister and I share Eton College as an alma mater. But unlike David Cameron, I had the greater privilege of learning more than a thing or two in the state sector. If Cameron had been to a comprehensive like me, he'd know that Eton just doesn't have what it takes to ... Read more »
Royal Jelly Mould with Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose

Royal Jelly Mould with Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose

I picked up a thing the other day in a charity shop and I can't really find anything about it online. So I throw it over to you. Do you know anything about this glass jelly mould with the images of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose on it? I intend to sell it on eBay, so I asked that ... Read more »
Book review: Who is Charlie Conti? by Claus von Bohlen

Book review: Who is Charlie Conti? by Claus von Bohlen

Who is Charlie Conti? is the accomplished debut novel from Claus von Bohlen. Charlie Conti is alone in the world and in possession of a great fortune. His mother is dead, his sister is in a home for the disabled and he doesn't know who his father is. Moreover, he doesn't have much of a sense of ... Read more »
Sue Bailey's Funeral

Sue Bailey’s Funeral

Sue Bailey was buried on Thursday. She was a close and dear friend to me for many years and I was privileged to attend her funeral. Let me share some reflections, for those who weren't there. It was a small gathering. Eleven people. Mostly family. It was raining. In woodland, near London, there ... Read more »
What Anders Breivik bought on eBay

What Anders Breivik bought on eBay

Take a look for yourself. This is what Anders Behring Breivik bought on eBay, apparently. The Telegraph is reporting that Norwegian terrorist and confessed murderer Anders Breivik bought some of his equipment and supplies on eBay. They say he used the now suspended eBay ID andrewbrei. At ... Read more »
Make Serious Money on eBay UK is available on Kindle

Make Serious Money on eBay UK is available on Kindle

I'm happy to say that my book, Make Serious Money on eBay UK is available as a Kindle and ereader edition. I'm quite excited by this although I don't know yet whether many have been sold. One thing I find immensely frustrating about being an author is the almost complete lack of numbers that are ... Read more »
The peaceful, natural burial ground at Clayton Wood

The peaceful, natural burial ground at Clayton Wood

My friend Sue writes at London Cemeteries and described her visit to Epping Forest Burial Park recently and how it changed her view of burial. Like her, I previously favoured cremation (or even burial at sea, in my more eccentric moments) until I visited a natural burial site. Cremation ... Read more »
The language of civil partnerships matters

The language of civil partnerships matters

It's astonishing that New York has only just legalised gay marriage. There are some very touching pictures in the Guardian. The word is right though: marriage. And changing the law in this country does, to a very large extent lie with simply changing a few words. I'm pleased that we have civil ... Read more »
What did the Prime Minister know? And when did he know it?

What did the Prime Minister know? And when did he know it?

The resignation of Rebekah Brooks was inevitable. That Sir Paul Stephenson has resigned too, on the same day as Brooks’ arrest, is remarkable. Surely David Cameron is next in line. I’ve been saying it on Twitter and down the boozer for at least a week. Tonight, even Iain Dale thinks it’s a ... Read more »
A trip on the Spa Valley Railway

A trip on the Spa Valley Railway

I do like going for a ride on a steam railway. Chuff chuff chuff poop poop. And last week the chaps went on an excursion to the Spa Valley Railway. It’s not the best known of the so called heritage lines. (I really hate that phrase. Almost as much as I dislike the term “cherished numbers” ... Read more »