Showing 1 - 7 of 7
The amazing paddy fields of England
Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/10/2025
» Important news from Blighty. Rice has been grown for the first time in Britain in the Fens of Cambridgeshire. Apparently this is a result of an unusually hot summer. For a project that had once been dismissed as a joke it's quite an achievement. Let's hope the notoriously fickle English weather doesn't spoil it all. It will probably start snowing tomorrow.
Can't beat question time in the 'bear pit'
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 06/02/2022
» While normally steering well clear of British politics I admit to having enjoyed recent live TV sessions of the UK Parliament. The weekly Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQ) held on Wednesdays is far more entertaining than any soap opera. Witnessing the verbal jousting as the PM attempts to side-step a withering grilling is sheer theatre. It is almost like being the accused in the dock at a court hearing.
Unearthing the true meaning of tea money
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 23/05/2021
» Thanks to readers for their entertaining comments and emails on last week's PostScript concerning the delights of drinking tea. There were assorted inspiring tales of eccentric tea ladies, quirky tea-time habits and important song lyrics I had overlooked.
When steamrollers saved the day
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 06/12/2020
» In recent street confrontations in Bangkok the police have regularly used buses as barricades against the protesters, hopefully letting any dozing passengers off first. People tend to fall asleep on buses and might get a bit of a fright waking up in the midst of a street showdown.
It's not a good time to be a statue
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 14/06/2020
» This past week has seen statues of controversial historical figures under attack around the globe. It is surprising it has taken so long. Hopefully the statues can be used for educational purposes by being placed into museums, accompanied by accurate historical accounts of what these people really did. The statues are an important reminder of an inglorious part of history. There is a possibility, however, that any statue or monument could become a target. One problem with statues is that they are quite vulnerable unless they are atop towering columns, like Nelson in Trafalgar Square.
Boris battling Binface and Buckethead
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/12/2019
» It is hard to get too excited by this week's UK election as it seems to have come down to a question of who is the least unpopular. This is not as simple as it sounds because they are all unpopular, so it could turn into quite an entertaining scrap.
All aboard 'The Pattaya Thunderbolt'
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/03/2018
» Five years ago there was a report in the Bangkok Post with the authorities announcing a high-speed rail link from Bangkok to Pattaya would be running by 2018, with flashy trains whizzing along at 250kph. We were informed the train would whisk you to the beach resort in under one hour. Frankly, the thought of hurtling towards Pattaya at such great speed was a bit too scary for most people. Pattaya is the sort of place you need to ease into gently, preparing yourself for the mental challenge that awaits.