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 ›
May 5th 1979, I am at my mother’s flat in Elm Park Gardens, getting myself ready for my wedding. The flat is teeming with people. My mother, my stepfather, a friend who is sewing me into my headdress – we thought it would be so easy – my father who is wearing two vests very […]Read Post ›
It seems that this page though published once has disappeared. So here it is again Yesterday I had many occasions to weep. A lot of nostalgia. Some misery. Some anger. Some joy. All for love. I was searching through a bag full of my daughter’s ancient cameras which were lurking in a corner of my […]Read Post ›
O Very enjoyable and fascinating story of espionage and derring-do. I would have enjoyed it more if it had been pure fiction. As it is a mostly true tale I could not stop thinking about all the gruesome death and destruction that occurred leading up to and around the operation. Of course, things could have […]Read Post ›
A review of the year that is. But actually I wrote at length before Christmas so I am not going to repeat myself. In many ways this was a fantastic year for me and amy family. For the world not so much. I am incredibly sad at what is happening in Ukraine. I have no […]Read Post ›
For all my family and friends. To write, or not to write. A Christmas reflection or newsletter, that is. This year has been so busy that I have sadly neglected many people – I’m sorry. I think of you all when I wake up in the small hours, and am consumed with guilt. So, I […]Read Post ›
Today would have been my parents’ seventieth wedding anniversary. I just found this rather lovely photo of them with their nearest and dearest. From left to right: My father’s eldest brother Gustaw. (36) He looks a lot older Not long after he emigrated to Australia. My aunt Alice. Here she is 17 and clinging to […]Read Post ›
Today would have been her 93rd birthday. In this photo, taken on her little sister’s fiftieth, she was fifty six. That smile remained with her to the end. I can’t remember the actual sound of her laugh, I’ve just realised, but the smile is unforgettable. And she smiled a lot. That radiant lipstick. Dior no […]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 ›
Robert Edward Gordon; my godfather. Of course he wasn’t born Robert Edward Gordon 104 years ago today. He was born Zbigniew Szczepański, in Poznań, I believe, 6 days after Poland regained her independence after 123 years of partition. I imagine his mother must have been thrilled to give birth to her first and I believe […]Read Post ›
Life Through Basia's Eyes 