Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost

Kersbossstrand – strand as in beach. I stand on the beach and listen to the ocean, warmed by the setting sun. Today the sea whispers in soft susurrations. Sometimes it has a more resonant chant that pulses a rhythm in keeping with my heartbeat. Perhaps the pulse I...
Luxury on Rails

Luxury on Rails

My piece on the Bluebell Line evoked not only a past era but also a slew of responses about luxury and trains, especially given the current furore around the competence or otherwise of those running Britain’s railways. Along the coast of Southern England where I now...
The Past is Another Country

The Past is Another Country

“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there”                                                        From the novel by L.P.Hartley: ‘The Go-Between’ 1953 Once upon a time a country almost lost its sense of self. Almost, but in quiet rural corners...
Passion in Poznan

Passion in Poznan

As I get older I remember passionate nights from the past. No doubt others have forgotten them, but the memory of the pleasures enjoyed lingers on. I was reminded of one such night in Poland recently. I made many visits to Poland, by car and plane. On this occasion I...

Hospitality Design Part 3

Becoming a Consultant Many years ago, the UK’s Design Council summoned many the Principals from the largest hospitality interiors practices then extant to a meeting in the Council offices. There the practice leaders were subjected to a harangue on the need for them to...