Whoever upthread suggested over history the Chinese empire is 'more sinned against than sinning' is breathtakingly wrong. For thousands of years they have dished out brutality on the scale … (View Post)

One aspect of the war I don't recall being discussed in much detail is the impact on thr economies of Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Presumably these countries are at present pra… (View Post)

In my long list of pet peeves, this is also mine. If Great Britain is a 'small island' the list of medium sized and large islands is very short indeed. I think because we live on an island … (View Post)

I've been up Kinder Scout. Absolutely glorious. (View Post)

It's already a village in Nottinghamshire. He tells a mildly amusing story about being a schoolboy bunking off school on tge train to Nottingham, startled guiltily from a reverie by a shout of &… (View Post)