I needn’t have bothered with all those extra layers- beret, thick scarf, windcheater- because it was pretty warm under the dragon whoosh of the periodic tongues of gaseous flame, even at the occasional  3,000 feet above the A38. Fifteen persons climbed into the basket, captained by Mark Shemilt, a very experienced airline pilot with 40,000 […] Read more

“Who knows what form the forward momentum of life will take in the time ahead or what use it will make of our anguished searching. The most that any one of us can seem to do is fashion something-an object or ourselves- and drop it into the confusion, make an offering of it, so to […] Read more

The Rickety Press has many attributes that add to its charm: a bower of green leaves mellowing the exterior and softening the view from the windowside banquettes, a breezily chummy staff (Carole remarked on how the lattes had shrunk in size and was assured, “you want more coffee? Just say- I’ve got loads of coffee!”); […] Read more

In spite of their laid-back charm Rufus and Ladd are the sharpest knives in the block, having made a huge success of their compact  Thai family bistro in Oxford’s once arid culinary landscape. Oli’s Thai has become so popular that you can’t just walk in. Regulars plan weeks in advance,  with military precision, cunningly block […] Read more

  Mr Shaukat Ali, small and dapper, has kindly agreed to  tell me the story of his diasporic life. His father, a Subedar (NCO) in the British Indian Army was a prosperous landowner in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. In Pindi he owned a string of small grocery shops- the sort you see in any small town in […] Read more

  Will Pouget, who owns and runs the Vaults, is a unique character: fast thinking, fast moving like quicksilver, his long hair pushed off his face with shades. He is representative of the younger generation of entrepreneurs who have injected enthusiasm and clubbability into eateries and managed to create a devoted client base. A few […] Read more

The above postcard is postmarked 2 August 1906, and shows Kingston Road in about 1905. The photographer was standing just south of the point where Walton Street (which runs north from central Oxford) suddenly becomes Kingston Road. On the left is the entrance to Walton Well Road (leading to Lucy’s Eagle Ironworks, the canal, and Port […] Read more

GOD’S MOON Har Chandi, moon faced, God’s Moon, pleasing to the sight, skin lightly pocked with marks like distant craters. Not intrusive, seemingly not scars. Her head covered with a light scarf, she trundles her squeaking wobbly barrow, sweeping up leaves and droppings of pooches on leads. Then she is gone from the dusty streets. […] Read more

Being designated a businessman is an accolade in India,  replete with aspiration as well as connotations of  hustling,  money-making  and someone worldly,  street savvy, shrewd.  And though Kapil Gaur is, strictly speaking, an artisan-entrepreneur he sees himself as a bit of a businessman. “If I told you my story you would never believe it. I […] Read more