LXI For let Philosopher and Doctor preach Of what they will, and what they will not – each Is but one Link in an eternal Chain That none can slip, nor break, nor over-reach. LXII And that inverted Bowl we call The Sky, Whereunder crawling coop’t we live and die, Lift not thy hands toContinue reading “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayaam: LXI – XC”
Author Archives: Robin
Jack of all trades – and at times master of many
When it comes to daily regional newspapers and the nationals everyone seems to be a specialist. Court reporters; entertainment reporters; finance journalists; political journalists; science journalists; sports reporters – and even then there can be subdivisions with reporters only dealing with football, or golf, or cricket, hockey, rugby etc. etc. Life is not so neatlyContinue reading “Jack of all trades – and at times master of many”
Poetry: so much more than just words on a page
I love poetry. I loved poetry since before I loved Shakespeare I have loved poetry since before I can remember. It is highly likely my first poem was actually a nursery rhyme. Maybe “Hickory Dickory Dock” or “Ring a’ring of Roses”. By the time I reached primary school I was already reading poetry from booksContinue reading “Poetry: so much more than just words on a page”
Remember the swinging 60s? I do – I was there
It has been said: “If you remember the 60s then you weren’t there.” Those of us who grew up in that swinging decade are looked on as survivors of a period when speed and weed and even acid flooded the clubs and the streets not just in London but out in the sticks as well.Continue reading “Remember the swinging 60s? I do – I was there”
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam XLI-LX
by Omar Khayyam translated by Edward Fitzgerald XLI Oh, plagued no more with Human or Divine, To-morrow’s tangle to itself resign, And lose your fingers in the tresses of The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine. XLII Waste not your Hour nor in the vain pursuit Of This and That endeavour and dispute; Better be merry withContinue reading “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam XLI-LX”
Road Rage – a modern phenomenon?
The more things change the more they stay the same. Almost 50 years on from my time as a reporter in Basildon, Essex, I have been looking at my scrap books of stories I had written then and think how often the same things happen now and the bad ones are often worse than inContinue reading “Road Rage – a modern phenomenon?”
Dynamic duo produce another great thriller
The President’s Daughter is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton Thriller readers know James Patterson as a prolific writer. Young adults know James Patterson for his works in Manga and Graphic Novel works. Children know James Patterson as a writer who puts youngsters like themselves at the centre of exciting adventures. Many of usContinue reading “Dynamic duo produce another great thriller”
ROBIN’S REVIEWS
Welcome to a new category on this blog – reviews. Not just any old reviews but reviews of books I have read (whether recently as with new books or my favourites from a lifetime of reading); films or television productions; and music. I have reviewed newly published books over many years, beginning in the 70sContinue reading “ROBIN’S REVIEWS”
Tears of sorrow for a Welshman in exile
My time as a journalist in Basildon was not all politics and crime, although I did spend a lot of time in the council chamber and the magistrates’ courts. The Arts Centre, just off the town square, was a cultural centre for the district and, as well as hosting concerts and professional entertainment, it providedContinue reading “Tears of sorrow for a Welshman in exile”
Dipping my toes in the murky waters of politics
When I returned to my desk on that mid-November Monday, following the funeral of my last grandparent, I was determined to throw myself into my work and become part of the Basildon community (although to do that fully I would need to wait until I was allocated a flat). Basildon was born out of theContinue reading “Dipping my toes in the murky waters of politics”
Robin's Nest 