Happy Birthday. 8 May I interviewed this beautiful woman a couple of years ago for an entry in the souvenir programme of the polish Jubilee Ball. As it is her birthday today I thought I would share the article with you. She was such a delight to talk to, as she gave me tea in […]Read Post ›
This film made by Piotr Szkopiak was due to be released five years ago both in Poland and in the English speaking world, but somehow was never properly distributed, although it is available on streaming services and very occasionally in independent cinemas. As I knew it dealt with the Crime of Katyń, or the Katyń […]Read Post ›
I came back from a quick trip to Warsaw a couple of weeks ago – we were still sorting my mother in law’s flat , but we had some time and my husband had this brilliant idea to go to Konstancin and see a small private gallery which was apparently full of Art Deco works. […]Read Post ›
It is exactly six years since Sharon went to meet her maker. Not an expression I would normally use, but her faith was her driving force. Everything she did was for the gleaner glory of God – very unusual in this day and age – but she sowed love everywhere. Fiercely intelligent, ferociously clever, her […]Read Post ›
We went to Amsterdam in March, my very first time and I hope not the last. I expected to be bowled over by the canals – which were lovely, but it was the buildings and especially the windows which excited me. Here are a few of the pictures that I took. I know nothing abou
I have always been fascinated by playing cards, not just by the possibilities of endless hours of fun, but by the artwork. Today I found a very old set ensconced in a leather travelling case, and was very excited when the first joker jumped out at me. I think the black cat is hilarious (note […]Read Post ›
I have always loved poetry and the sound of my own voice, so when I was asked to read a poem as part of a national poetry reading event I didn’t hesitate to agree. It was supposed to happen on my birthday in September, and I was tempted by the thought that there would be […]Read Post ›
A few days ago I wrote about my minuscule part in The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, a play written as an allegory to the witch-huntery of communists and sympathisers in McCarthy’s America. A powerful play, when properly performed, thought provoking and disturbing. Witch-hunting is nothing new. Rumour, the spread of gossip, the false reporting, conspiracy […]Read Post ›
21st May 2022 A few weeks ago I received this invitation to attend a book launch and exhibition of ceramics, both by the artist Elizabeth Stanhope, as she is known in English speaking circles. I have written about her before, when I was writing a profile of her for the Polish Ball, to which she […]Read Post ›
Yes indeed, I am jumping on the royalty bandwagon. Quite incidentally really, but last week, when I was still in Poland, I received an email advertising a Jubilee inspired lecture in Kingston. Normally this wouldn’t have interested me at all – Kingston is an hour away, 6 30 in the evening is not a convenient […]Read Post ›
Life Through Basia's Eyes 