London has its fair share of famous squares. Headed up by Trafalgar Square overseen by Lord Nelson atop his column. Then Parliament Square with Big Ben, Leicester Square with its premieres, Barclay square with its nightingale and many others… but the one that gets my… Read More »On Golden Square…
I don’t like to think as my wife as long-suffering, however… Extended male absence is a good place to start because it’s not a game that can be played quickly. Although, in a male dominated house (5:1) any male absence could probably be interpreted as… Read More »Winning is relative…
The last blog of an eventful and somewhat blighted year which began with a lockdown and ends with a quasi-one in the UK with people duly terrified by messages from our leaders imploring us to be very afraid. But Christmas arrived anyway and remains most… Read More »That Christmas feeling…
A week of landmarks and sporting incidents colliding to reveal and expose human traits and quirks which I imagine (or hope) we are all subject to. Patrick’s 17th birthday was additionally exciting this year because all his big brothers were in London and free to… Read More »winners and losers…
Just like sun tans, holiday romances and/or friendships rarely endure. They’re usually things of their time and place and they can’t easily be replicated or prolonged. Although not always, as happened to us some 18 years ago on a disappointingly cold all-inclusive holiday in Turkey… Read More »Driver off the deck…
Sometimes the stars align. Certainly this week, circumstances conspired for us Hollands. Harry’s short film completed and it appears, very successfully. Tom’s birthday. Being allowed to fly and visit Scotland. The British weather finally breaking and providing some much needed sunshine. Gleneagles is a rather… Read More »Soaring like a bird…
It has happened before with badminton, table tennis and now chess. In my youth I played all three sports to a very high level. By this, I mean I thought I was very good. It seems the delusions that have shaped my adult career were… Read More »Check mate…
An exciting start to my year and a need perhaps to recalibrate my career, my accomplishments and my place in the world. Because it turns out that I am in fact, a legend. Who knew? Not me and it seems not my son either when… Read More »I am legend…
Which of us doesn’t wish to be regarded as cool? To be considered chic and hip. From our school days onwards, we are aware of social hierarchies and where we sit. Being cool is mostly associated with being young and might explain why people are… Read More »Beating Lockdown/Jan blues…
With three Holland boys away, our house has never been bigger and I suppose this is a good thing. People often cite space as a life goal. There are other upsides too… like chargers being more available. Less likely to go missing for one reason… Read More »Home alone, (almost)