Category General thoughts
Is there horsemeat in Iceland?
First published in the Northern Echo One of the first pages I turn to in the Northern Echo is the letters page: Hear All Sides. It’s compulsive reading; even more so than in most other papers I read. People’s views are always interesting but one would assume it’s generally those who feel very strongly about […]
Horsemeat? we’re all to blame
First published in the Northern Echo. Young Kieran at work’s just passed his driving test and, like the patronising old fool someone of my age can be, I started to go on and on about how insurance companies insist that this was now the most likely time for him to have an accident. Even though […]
Is it really good advice?
A few weeks ago I wrote about the irresponsible way that social media services such as Twitter and Facebook are used by many unthinking, and I dared to suggest cowardly, individuals. People who are happy to broadcast a disparaging comment about a restaurant, hotel or similar without first having the courage or decency to mention […]
All generalisations are wrong
Sitting on the A1, driving to work, I see in my rearview mirror a car cutting in and out of the others behind me; changing lanes at speed, darting and diving in and out between other cars so as to gain that extra few seconds. I spend a much of my life on the roads […]
Squirrel a little away
I’m sure you’ve been there: because you couldn’t leave something alone, you cause a major calamity. Like maybe a dripping tap’s been getting to you so you try to tighten it in situ but only succeed in pulling it off the sink. There’s water squirting everywhere so you come up with a cunning, if rather […]
Are you feeling a little horse?
I guess I’d like to be remembered for something. Changing the world for the better would be nice but unlikely. Some memorable quotation would be quite good but I don’t know if I’ve any in me. And my parents didn’t even imbue me with a memorable name. A chap called Lord Acton got all three; […]
Is fat an F word?
We’re unfair to fat. Recently I was reading about a new only-slightly invasive technique for ridding the body of fatty deposits that stop one being attractive to other people – or so we’re told – and I was wondering how far I’d have to be pushed before I resorted to such measures. There’s a lot […]
Oh dear, what I’d do for you.
“This is absolutely wonderful”, she said. “It’s a doddle”, I replied, but I could instantly tell she didn’t believe me. “You cook such lovely meals and I appreciate how much effort you put in”, but I was already thinking she didn’t actually understand. Of course I was pleased she was pleased. That’s what cooking for […]
Cat in Hell
Cats love me. I don’t know why, but they like to jump up on my knees and get fur up my nose. Our most recent cat – acquired a few years ago due to the demise of the previous incumbent and after a respectful period of mourning – is, according to the rescue home from […]
Bill Oldfield 