Showing 1 - 7 of 7
Still plenty of smiles in Thailand
Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/01/2025
» A reader politely questioned a reference to the "Land of Smiles" in last week's column, suggesting the smiles are maybe not as forthcoming as they once were. Perhaps they are not but deep down Thai people remain a cheerful lot. After five decades in the kingdom I still get a kick out of an unsolicited Thai smile whether it be from a shopkeeper, check-out lady, bank cashier or simply someone on the street. Maybe it's because I look a bit funny.
Words you don't really want to hear
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/12/2022
» It's that time of the year when publishers of major dictionaries bombard us with what they regard as the "words of the year". They rarely agree on the same offering, but there is one common theme -- nearly all words selected are frankly rather depressing.
A lovely lady with a fine sense of duty
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 11/09/2022
» Like many British people I am feeling a deep sense of loss with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She had been such a fixture in our lives for so long it felt she would somehow go on forever. She was always there, so calm and reassuring. That's why her death still came as shock even though she had reached the grand age of 96.
Tea for two and a sandwich at the Palace
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/06/2022
» There seems to be a consensus in Britain that the best moment of the Jubilee was Paddington Bear taking afternoon tea with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.
Street parties? There must be a jubilee
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/06/2022
» The fact that this weekend 1,775 street parties are being held in the UK reflects just how much the British public respect Queen Elizabeth as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, marking the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne. The stamina of the 96-year-old monarch is quite remarkable.
The magical world of far away places
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/04/2021
» Earlier this week I was chatting with friends about which places around the globe captured their imagination most when they were kids. One was fascinated by Mandalay, while another said Pondicherry caught his eye. Zanzibar was another name that cropped up.
Once upon a time at Windsor Castle
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 14/03/2021
» Unless you are lucky enough to be in hibernation, it's been hard to escape the saga of Harry and Meghan and "The Interview" that has developed into a rather uncomfortable public soap opera.