Last night partner and I watched Thor. We tend to get round to watching films about a year or so after the rest of the known world. Anyway, I was completely distracted for the first half of the film trying to figure out who Mr Hemsworth reminded me of. A quick imdb check confirmed that neither of us had ever seen him in anything ever, but he still ( Read more... )

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Last weekend's visit to Culzean reminded me of something I've been meaning to post since this time last year! As well as the beautiful castle and grounds, Culzean also has a rather good second hand bookshop. While we were there last summer I picked up three volumes of the 1909 edition of W.H. Fitchett's How England Saved Europe, which is ( Read more... )

In reply to sarlania's icon meme.


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Yesterday the BBC reported that Sotheby's will auction a rare copy of Audubon's Birds of America from the collection of Lord Hesketh in December. Audubon himself had a colourful life but he also has an interesting connection to the Age of Sail.

( Audubon and the Captain )

One last thing before I go....Basil Hall again, on the character of the "perfect officer" and the necessity of being willing to sacrifice personal honour.

"There is a still further and very delicate refinement wanting to complete this negative part in the definition of a perfect officer, which consists in his being ready to place even his private ( Read more... )

Last night's innuendo laden quote, as nodbear correctly recognised, was Basil Hall writing of his examination for Lieutenant. Prior to his exam Mr Hall had been given a letter from a friendly Admiral with instructions to send it to the examining officers in advance.

"The letter being sealed, I knew not whether it were merely introductory, or if it ( Read more... )

It's a while since there's been any innuendo laden nautical quotes around here so allow me to rectify that:

On my saying I had fancied it might contain some request to ease me off gently, he cried "And so you fancy we old cocks job into one another's hands in that way do you?"This relates an incident that took place in Somerset House on the 1st ( Read more... )