My mum loved old things and brass things and practical things. For a very brief year she ran a tiny desk sized stall in Antiquarius Market in Chelsea where she bought (mainly) and sold (occasionally) things that she liked. Jewellery mainly, silver spoons and salt cellars, mustard pots. All great for Christening and wedding and […]Read Post ›
No not the opera, not many Spanish girls of that name, but the best birthday present ever when I was 17, in 1970. My parents had friends who I now realise were doing their utmost to treat me as a grown up rather than the sweet little girl that my parents made me out to […]Read Post ›
In 1981 I left my first “proper” job in order to become the perfect mother. No short term maternity leave for me, thank you very much. I was going to embrace the whole housewifely motherhood vibe wholeheartedly. Come to think of it, Surrey county council did actually offer to pay me two months salary if […]Read Post ›
I found this beautiful picture of my mother-in -aw today. Of course that should be mother in law, but I rather like mother in awe.I have never seen this before, but it fell into my hands just now as I was looking through a box of her papers that we brought back from Poland recently. […]Read Post ›
She died exactly twelve years ago. My favourite aunt. My only aunt but still my favourite. Vibrant, sassy, kind and extremely self contained. She was the original who never complained, never explained. She was born Alicja Łomnicka, in Lwów, Poland in 1936. She became Alice Ruffell when she married. The marriage didn’t last – whatever […]Read Post ›
For M and A KE Thank you What a city. What a weekend. I had never been to Amsterdam before. Look out for the windmills. Look at the tulips. Anne Frank. Van Gogh. Vermeer. Rembrandt. Well, it was wonderful. But nothing like that at all. We arrived Thursday afternoon and went by taxi from the […]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 ›
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 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 just found this book on my shelf after many years and was enchanted all over again by the sweetness of the cover. The illustrator is Margery Gill. The back cover is no less delightful. I received this book for Christmas when I was ten. I remember choosing it with the woman who gave it […]Read Post ›
Life Through Basia's Eyes 