Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dispatches to Sir Kev 28.01.2015 – bone idle

Posted on January 28, 2015 by j futrell

Dear Sir Kev, Sincere apologies for not writing sooner. I have no excuses, such as too much HSD (that’s beer), or I’ve been worked off my feet, or there’s no internet here in the south west, or even – nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Dispatches from Tarn et Garonne, Seashores, travel, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

shut up and don’t think

Posted on July 28, 2014 by j futrell

Some things you never forget. Like riding a bicycle, or mixing the perfect vodka martini. It’s the same with Transcendental Meditation, TM for short; the simplest and most effective way I know for, well for lack of a better description, … Continue reading →

Posted in health, travel, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

It’s A Family Affair: Twenty years of Robert Elms shows.

Posted on June 23, 2014 by j futrell

What does it take to get Sir Paul Smith, Gilbert and George, Nick Lowe, Gary Kemp, and very nearly Rod Stewart, into the same Soho jazz club at the same time? The answer, were you not tuned into Radio London … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Dispatches to Sir Kev 15.6.14 – Dressing The Part

Posted on June 15, 2014 by j futrell

Journalists likes to think they have the power to influence. It’s part of the appeal of the job; mass coercion. Shaping opinion goes with the territory, and by and large readers keep to their side of the bargain. It’s why … Continue reading →

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Dispatches to Sir Kev 21.04.14

Posted on April 21, 2014 by j futrell

Dear Sir Kev, I hope you won’t object but I thought of you the other day as a peloton of rangy cyclists in brightly coloured branded Lycra wear sped past the house where I was spending the Easter weekend. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Seashores, travel, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

How Much Will You Pay For Your News?

Posted on March 19, 2014 by j futrell

All news content on the internet will be paid for in ten years. Broadly speaking that was the outcome of a high level debate sponsoured by YouGov and the London Press Club, held at London’s British Library last night (March … Continue reading →

Posted in media, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Dispatches to Sir Kev Dutton from the Tarn et Garonne – Saint Antonin-Noble-Val, et la campagne 29.08.13

Posted on August 29, 2013 by j futrell

Cher Sir Kev, While life in London swirls inexorably in far reaching ways life in the Tarn et Garonne is simply, well quieter. With the Feast of the Assumption over many of the French holiday makers have packed their baguettes … Continue reading →

Posted in Dispatches from Tarn et Garonne, travel, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Dispatches to Sir Kev Dutton from the Tarn et Garonne – la riviere, vide graniers and renovation, en France 20.08.13

Posted on August 20, 2013 by j futrell

Cher Kev, I did enjoy your last dispatch from the Old Country, and I am sorry not to have attendedyour exhibition. I am in need of an occasion for a pair of slacks. The bucolic lifestyle is whittling away at … Continue reading →

Posted in Dispatches from Tarn et Garonne, travel, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Driven To Drink – my time (albeit brief) with the late Alan Wicker

Posted on July 14, 2013 by j futrell

I met Alan Whicker once, a long time ago. I think it was in the sprauncy resort town of Costa Smerelda, where men wear sarongs, and there are Sunseeker launches in the bay, far north on Sardinia’s east coast. It … Continue reading →

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Artful Wine

Posted on April 9, 2013 by j futrell

Chateau La Coste is the most unusual vineyard in France. In fact, it’s probably the most atypical vineyard in the world. In fact, it doesn’t look like a vineyard at all, in the conventional sense. There is no clutter, no abandoned … Continue reading →