In our quieter moments, don’t we all hanker after being able to do something positive; something that we know will change things for the better; improve the world a little bit; even if it’s just our immediate environment? After all, we’re bombarded by all sorts telling us how we’re adversely affecting our world by unreasonably […]
Maybe we shouldn’t worry about how bad things are going to get. Never mind the Greeks and the Spanish, as the Italians and then the French are inevitably forced to seek a bailout and the financial world collapses all around us, we just have to get used to a lower standard of living. And we […]
There are rules when you run your own business but there are some rules that are more important than others. For instance, when you run a restaurant it’s pretty important that you’re nice to customers – because their return is rather important to your livelihood. Following strict health and hygiene rules is pretty fundamental because, […]
I was taught to knit as a child by my Grandmother. I must have been about five or six years old. It wasn’t terribly successful in that the result was just one grey scarf. I’m not clear if it started out being grey – five year old boys are not known for their cleanliness – […]
Sometimes I wonder if I’m all there. I know my wife does and thinks that I seem to daydream my way through life. She’s got a point as it appears that I’m always considering some grand plan or unreasonable (as far as she’s concerned) ambition such as running a bar on a bankrupt Greek Island […]
It’s like a war out there. Who would you trust? After all, it’s down to you. You’re the one who’s going to determine whether you survive and ultimately succeed. It’s apparent, just by the fact that you’re reading this blog, that you’ve got what it takes; that you’re intelligent enough. So, who do you believe? […]
“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 […]
I’m used to making mistakes. After all, I run a restaurant and while I start every day with the intention of avoiding faux pas, the truth is that the real skill is in putting things right when they inevitably go wrong, even though you didn’t want them to go wrong in the first place. It’s […]
Frank Field, the Labour MP for Birkenhead, is one of those rare animals: an intelligent politician who oozes scruples and integrity. You don’t necessarily agree with everything he stands for but you know he believes in what he says and he’ll listen and make his mind up irrespective of party lines. It’s easy to respect […]
Over the last few years I’m lucky enough to have been asked, by some very carefree people, to test-drive a number cars and then write about them. I like cars and the physical and mental act that goes with driving them. It’s probably reinforced by my engineering background but, even from before I started school, […]
Bill Oldfield 