So this week, in keeping with Advent, I thought we would have something ecclesiastical. There’s no story attached to this photo; it is just a rather lovely piece of Norman cathedral architecture in the triforium of Chichester Cathedral. Just look at he wonderful colours in that stone: I don’t know if it the stone, ceramic tiles or whether it is the remains of wall painting.
Another in our series bringing you links to items of interest which you may have missed.
Let’s start with something close to most of our hearts … our pets.
Scientists have been investigating the origins of the domestic dog for a while and it is turning out that they are older than we thought. Two pieces, one from the Independent the other from the Scientist.
At the same time some are disputing the received wisdom of how wolves were first domesticated. They think the answer lies amongst our garbage.
Not to be left out, other scientists have looked at a number of myths about cats. One that turns out to be true is the way cats (and many other mammals) freeze when grabbed by the scruff of the neck, and they’re beginning to understand how/why. No this never was a myth; it’s always been perfectly obvious why it occurs.
This week’s photograph is one I took in Lyme Regis quite a few years ago. I couldn’t resist the symmetry between dog and owner.
A few days ago IanVisits published (as usual every month) a rather super list of things one can do out of London during the coming month — ie. December.
Another instalment in my occasional series documenting some of the underbelly of Britain. Britain which we wouldn’t like visitors to see and which we wish wasn’t there. The trash, abused, decaying, destitute and otherwise buggered parts of our environment. Those parts which symbolise the current economic malaise; parts which, were the country flourishing, wouldn’t be there, would be better cared for, or made less inconvenient.
I could not resist this! The care home where my mother lives is having some building work done. This notice is posted outside their front door. Absolutely brilliant builder’s English!
Just a quick update on this evening’s tasting of our second Beaujolais Nouveau from Nick Dobson Wines.
This one is a true Beaujolais Nouveau from Philippe Deschamps (Vincent Lacondemine makes a Beaujolais Villages Nouveau — like the French care about these things!).
The Deschamps Nouveau is definitely the better of the two I have. Much more body, much more fruit and decidedly smoother, with red berry fruits, especially blackberry, coming though quite strongly. Exceedingly drinkable. Still clearly a young wine but this might well keep whereas I have my doubts about the Lacondemine. (Yes, I know you’re not supposed to keep Nouveau, but last year’s has kept brilliantly.)