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  • News & article

    Leaping lizards on a Sunday afternoon

    Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/03/2024

    » Last Sunday I was sitting on the garden porch of my Bangkok abode grappling with the crossword and watching the birds hopping around the garden. My wife, who was away in Chaiyaphum, had just called and I had reassured her that everything was fine and very tranquil... a perfect Sunday afternoon.

  • News & article

    A medley of moonlight, stars and pines

    Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/09/2023

    » The answer to a crossword clue I recently tackled was "Vermont" which immediately triggered memories of the beautiful 1950's song Moonlight in Vermont. When I first heard the tune as a kid it created such an alluring image of moon rays amid sycamore trees I dug out the atlas to find out where Vermont was actually located. It even looked nice on the map, tucked up in the right-hand corner of the US.

  • News & article

    Going bananas over the 'Day-O' song

    News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 07/05/2023

    » The recent death of the gifted Jamaican-American singer Harry Belafonte at the age of 96 inevitably sparked memories of when his biggest hit "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" swept the globe, including Britain.

  • News & article

    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.

  • News & article

    In defence of the Yank chimney-sweep

    Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/03/2022

    » A Londoner who lives in Bangkok has made a spirited defence of Dick Van Dyke's much-maligned cockney accent as a chimney-sweep in Mary Poppins, which was mentioned in last week's column.

  • News & article

    Wagglers, winkers and grasshoppers

    News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 27/09/2020

    » A half-hearted spring-cleaning session at home during the week came to a welcome halt when I unearthed a long-lost copy of Have Fun With Thai Proverbs collecting dust under a pile of disintegrating paperbacks. Written by Dr Duangtip Somnapan Surintatip, the book is a reminder that there is a common thread to proverbs around the world. As the title suggests, it can be fun putting long-standing expressions into a Thai context.

  • News & article

    Doubtful delights of standing in line

    Roger Crutchley, Published on 03/03/2024

    » It is encouraging to learn that the Prime Minister is concerned about large queues at Suvarnabhumi airport, particularly at the arrivals area. We've all probably experienced that sinking feeling after stepping off the moving walkway and being faced by a definitely non-moving formidable queue. It is especially grim if you've just suffered an exhausting long-distance flight and are already feeling knackered.

  • News & article

    One fishy tale of becoming a Mister

    News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/03/2023

    » I got into a tangle last week referring to the Italian immigrant restaurateur Caesar Cardini as Senor when of course it should have been Signore. Apologies to all. I should have known better than to start dabbling with foreign honourifics. I have enough problems dealing with Mr, Mrs and Ms.

  • News & article

    The big black door which has no keys

    News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/10/2022

    » In recent weeks whenever I have switched on the TV news bulletins I seem to have been greeted by the sight of the imposing black door at No 10 Downing Street. It must be the most photographed door in history.

  • News & article

    Nothing wrong with snoozing in Snoring

    News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/08/2021

    » One of the first things a visitor to Thailand is asked is probably what town they come from back home. My response of Reading invariably brings blank looks, so I usually add "just west of London" which admittedly doesn't make things any clearer. It would be nice if I came from a place that sounded a trifle more intriguing, such as the wonderful Nempnett Thrubwell in Somerset or Booby Dingle in Herefordshire.

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