Blog

If you are ordering business cards for the first time or replacing cards that never quite felt right, the choices can quickly become confusing. Thick card, soft touch, spot varnish, silk, matte… before long, it starts sounding less like print and more like a word-soup of technical jargon. At Fineline in Ruthin, we speak to […]

Question: What’s got a turnover of over £1billion, has more stores than Waitrose, and has an astonishing cult following. Answer: Farmfoods, and it’s Britain’s second-largest frozen food outlet behind Iceland. And I bet you’ve never heard of it. I’ve driven past our local branch a dozen times, probably more, and always thought it was where […]

Any of us can go out today and purchase an ink cartridge – a pretty simple task, right? Our presses use dry toner that arrives after an automated alert from the presses, which is about as effortless as it gets. But it wasn’t always that easy. Centuries ago, it had to be made by hand, […]

Haven’t we all been there? A poisonous Biryani on a Saturday night, and there’s just a little too much distance between you and the thunderbox. Will you make it, or will the compost hit the air conditioning big time? It’s a nerve-shredding moment, and it feels like your life depends on making those last few […]

To fall off one’s chair with surprise is probably an overused expression. But that’s pretty much what happened to me recently when a postcard from our parcel delivery company dropped through our letterbox. To put it mildly, I wasn’t exactly in a rush to read the contents. They only ever get in touch when there […]

Flying at 2,000 feet under a clear blue sky, with the Australian outback unfolding below, life had never felt better for flying Doctor Clyde Fenton. Also known as the flying larrikin, Fenton’s parish was larger than England, and his trusty De Havilland DH.60 Gipsy Moth was the perfect means of transport when patient visits could […]

Reaching Sydney Harbour on the 12th of December 1966 was a crowning achievement for Sir Francis Chichester. But that was just half of it. In just 107 days, he’d reached the halfway point of his attempt to sail around the world single-handedly. Astonishingly, this was to be his only stop during his 226 days at […]

Good signage turns heads. Great signage gets people through your door. Whether you need vinyl banners for a market stall, window graphics for your shop front, or poster printing for an upcoming event, getting the right product makes all the difference. And getting it from a local printer you can actually talk to makes the […]

Fancy eating lunch on a soggy park bench under dark, leaden skies in late winter? No, me neither. But for those lucky enough to be getting away for a spot of skiing, eating al fresco can be pure bliss. The scenery is breathtaking, the air crystal clear, and a subtle hint of pine drifts on […]

Christmas has barely disappeared in the rearview mirror. The last of the turkey sandwiches is covered in mould so thick it would give Granny’s mink fur coat a run for its money. And now Easter is heading our way. Fast. Apart from being the most significant date in the Christian calendar, it’s also a chance […]

There hasn’t been much positive news weather-wise this winter. It’s been cold, it’s been dark, it’s been windy, and it’s been unbelievably wet. And it’s given many a great deal of pleasure moaning about it. It’s been great for the weathermen; they’ve been almost wetting themselves with excitement as they forecast yet more rain. Yes, […]

Spring events are coming fast. You want a display that is quick to set up, easy to move, and looks sharp. A roller banner can do that. It is simple, light, and great value. In this guide, you will learn what to buy and why. You will also get design and storage tips to help […]

If you needed reminding that last Saturday was Valentine’s Day, you’re probably already toast. Banished to the outer darkness of the solar system for forgetting the one day you should have made a special effort to treat someone special in your life. Many up and down the land will have treated their loved ones to […]

With a reassuring ‘clack’, the latch lifted, and the ancient old oak door swung smoothly on its hand forged hinges. In truth, I wasn’t too sure what to expect on the other side, but the beautifully polished historic brass door furniture suggested we were in for a pleasant surprise. Outside, the weather was absolutely foul. […]

Ask someone what business they’re in or what service they provide, and they might say something like: I’m a Vet or I’m an IT specialist. This may be true in the literal sense but from the customer’s point of view people don’t wake up one morning thinking it might be fun to go to the […]

We’ve all heard the story about how many politicians it takes to change a lightbulb. But how many experts does it take to translate just four English Words into Welsh? According to a recent news story, the answer was an incredible 61. They were given all day to translate eight words, but managed only four. […]

Most leaflets don’t fail because of poor printing or bad design. Those things matter, but they’re rarely the deciding factor. Leaflets fail when there’s no clear offer, no urgency, and no obvious next step for the reader to take. They might reach the right people at the wrong time. But the biggest cause of failure […]

Imagine trying to do the Times crossword after being deprived of sleep for nearly three days. That’s how I felt last week after tackling a particularly fiendish exercise in Excel. I’m no pointy-headed geek who dreams about convoluted, mile-long codes in my sleep. But I’m not a beginner either. That said, the challenge on the […]

Dark mid-winter can be a grind. But one silver lining must surely be the cricket. While we’re suffering from frost-bitten fingers and toes and trapped in a dark, frozen hellhole, news about what our cricketers are up to in sunnier climes is pure bliss. And if there is an Ashes series on the line, that’s […]

Want another mince pie? Thought not. Just a side note, delicious as they are, they do have other uses. Next time you get caught with a garrulous guest who’s rather too fond of their own voice, pop a plate of homemade mince pies into the microwave for a few minutes before offering them one. With […]

January is a clean slate. It is also a great time to refresh the printed essentials you hand out every day. A tidy set of business cards, letterheads, compliment slips and a simple brochure can lift your brand, reassure new contacts and make your team feel sharp. In this guide, you will find the most […]

Christmas comes but once a year. But goodness, doesn’t it catch us out. Rushing around like a Roadrunner with all engines at full warp speed, we find ourselves with too much to do and fast running out of road. This year is no exception, and in the last week, we’ve been fielding panic calls about […]

It’s insurance renewal time for us. And it’s not something I particularly look forward to. Not because of the monthly premiums, which are enough to make a mule’s eyes water. And not because of the thrill of discovering how much more money they want this year. Most of all, it’s because my soul shrivels when […]

If you’re unlucky enough to be the victim of a cyber-attack, the cyber-cops are sure to ask about your password. And if you’ve just been relieved of a lifetime’s worth of savings, your insurers are going to take a pretty dim view if your answer is something along the lines of … PASSWORD123 Which is […]

Printing typos are an occupational hazard. Some are harmless and go completely unnoticed, but others can kick off World War 3 before the blame certificates are off the press. One which did cause a bit of a stir was the story of the party conference chocolate bar howler, which I wrote about a few weeks […]

Christmas creeps up fast. If you want print that gets noticed, brings people back, and doesn’t cause stress, this guide will help you choose what works best for UK SMEs and North Wales businesses. You’ll also find timelines, eco options, and artwork advice. What Actually Works at Christmas You want impact, not clutter. These pieces […]

Just in time for Remembrance Sunday, I finished a wonderful book called “The Searchers: The Quest for the Lost of the First World War”. By November 1918, the whereabouts of over half a million British soldiers remained unknown, and the book details some of the extraordinary searches for the missing which go on to this […]

The directions, if you could call them that, were almost non-existent. They were so bad that looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack would have been a simpler option. Our mission? We were on the hunt for three sheets of corrugated roofing that Mrs S. had found advertised locally, but were on the point […]

Being smug isn’t an attractive trait. And being insufferably smug is particularly unpleasant. Unfortunately, I was in danger of crashing into the latter with a terrible splat. The cause? My overconfident promise to build a winter shelter for Mrs S’ two ancient pet sheep. Way back in the Spring, there was plenty of time to […]

Doesn’t everyone love reading stories about other people’s balls-ups! Well, this one’s a corker, and luckily, we’re not in the frame for this one. Back in the Spring, planners decided it would be a great idea to include a chocolate bar in a giveaway goodie bag for their Autumn Party Conference. Goodness knows how much […]

The women’s rugby World Cup may be done and dusted for another four years. And many fans will have enjoyed some exciting high-scoring games – one or two almost akin to a game of cricket. The purists may decry these one-sided games, but they certainly maintain the excitement levels. Whether Clive Woodward, World Cup-winning coach […]

Building a website can feel like buying a treadmill. You are excited at the start, you pick a shiny model, and then it quietly gathers dust. Let’s stop that happening. In this guide, you will learn the simple, practical steps to build a small business site that looks good, loads fast, and actually wins work. […]

Who doesn’t love a bargain? The thrill of getting hold of something for a fraction of the regular price is something we never tire of. You only have to witness clips of the Christmas sales to realise that some people will trample over their own granny to grab a good deal. But here’s the thing: […]

The Rosetta Stone isn’t something that crops up in conversation over a cup of tea, but it should. It’s kept in the safe hands of the British Museum and is just one of over 8 million objects housed there. And it just happens to be one of the most famous objects in the museum’s vast […]

At 7:19pm this evening, the sun will be directly over the equator. Without a pause, it will continue its long and predictable journey south. As autumn slips into winter, we’ll plunge into an ice-bound hellhole as our days in the northern hemisphere grow ever shorter and darker. Our super-accurate atomic clocks can predict the sun’s […]

If you have ever tried to print 1,000 flyers on the office printer, you will know the pain. Paper jams. A queue at the machine. That is where commercial printing steps in. It takes your ideas, applies expert setup and professional presses, then delivers crisp, consistent results at scale.   In this guide, you will […]

Once again, I’m indebted to the committee that sits regularly to provide me with a rich seam of material on rebranding horror shows. And they come along regularly enough to prove that when it comes to corporate largess, big business certainly knows how to burn through their hard-earned cash. In the last year, we’ve seen […]

For over a millennium, the great Lighthouse of Alexandria shone out over the Nile Delta. Flames leaping skyward atop its 350-foot stone tower to guide ships into the bustling port of Alexandria. As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it was the most famous lighthouse in antiquity. The world over, lighthouses have been […]

Accepting print-ready files can be a bit of an occupational hazard. Most are OK, and with a few quick fixes here and there, they’re ready to print. Some are exceptional, designed and submitted to a very high standard. And then there are the ransom notes. Typefaces don’t match. Font sizes are all over the place, […]

When he needed an extra copy of his building plans it’s a pretty safe bet that Erwin von Steinbach didn’t ask an assistant to toddle down to our print shop to run them off for him. Steinbach, you see, was the principal architect of Strasbourg Cathedral. The year? Circa 1277. Back then, the nearest he’d […]

It’s probably fair to say that anyone feverishly feasting their eyes on one of E.L. James’ 50 Shades novels will have been paying scant attention to the quality of the paper it’s printed on. But if we delve into the science of paper and how it is made, an exciting world of discovery awaits. For […]

Chopping knotty oak logs with an axe is a mug’s game. And anyone who thinks otherwise is in urgent need of psychiatric care. This time last year I shared the story of how lucky I was to have borrowed my brother’s John Deere tractor and log splitter. The JD is a seriously big brute with […]

By now, bookworms up and down the land will be eagerly getting to grips with their summer read. As the pace slows and we settle into a gentler rhythm of the summer holidays, there are few things as reassuring as a good book. Whilst audiobooks enjoy double-digit year-on-year growth, printed books still enjoy a special […]

Very shortly, many will be jetting off on their summer holidays. For me, a trip to an airport is about as thrilling as it gets. Whether it’s the occasional whiff of kerosene … Or watching aircraft moving around on the hard standing, landing, taking off, it all makes for a heady mix. Excitement doesn’t get […]

The name Matt Lindland might not trip off the tongue. But in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, he won a silver medal for the United States in the Greco-Roman Wrestling competition. So far so unremarkable. But what set Lindland apart were his less savoury competitive tactics. Most athletes in this discipline rely on a […]

Ever seen a stack of flyers left at the edge of a counter, practically untouched? It’s a bit heartbreaking, isn’t it? You’ve put time, money, and hope into getting your message out… but somehow, it just blends into the background. If you’re wondering how to design a flyer or leaflet that actually gets noticed — […]

Politics can be a brutal business. The main protagonists are always knocking lumps out of each other, and the focus is very often on the negative. The twists and turns, the backstabbing, and the Machiavellian scheming and plotting should all carry a health warning for those of us outside the bubble. And while some of […]

Many pet owners will recognise the scene. You’re sitting in the waiting room at the vet waiting for one of your closest support workers (aka the dog) to be seen. Anxiety is rising. You, because you’re cursing forgoing the pet insurance when it was on offer and are now wondering how many noughts there might […]

In pharmaceutical print, clarity isn’t a design preference—it’s a clinical safeguard. Every leaflet, label, and instruction card carries critical information, and if that information is unclear, hard to read, or poorly presented, the risks are real. From dosage errors to misuse, the consequences of confusing print can be serious. That’s why clear, patient-focused print is […]

Why printed materials still matter in a highly regulated, digital-first world. Everyone in pharma knows the paperwork never ends—but not all of it lives on a screen. Printed materials remain absolutely essential, from safeguarding patients to meeting supply chain compliance. Whether it’s a multilingual leaflet folded into a box, or a clinical trial booklet handed […]

Precision isn’t a preference in pharmaceuticals—it’s the foundation. Every label, leaflet, and trial document must be accurate, compliant, and consistent. There’s no room for assumptions. So, when it comes to print, partnering with the wrong supplier isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a risk. And when the stakes are this high, choosing just any commercial printer won’t do. […]

The printing industry runs on deadlines. They lurk around every corner. And there’s an unwritten rule that if a customer hasn’t or can’t confirm a delivery date, then it’s guaranteed to be several days sooner than is possible. We’re used to it. But what never ceases to amaze me is the pain and anxiety some […]

Not all site risks come with flashing lights. Some start quietly—with a sign that’s too small to read, a notice that’s fallen off the fence, or a warning scribbled in a rush and ignored. These minor oversights can lead to significant problems. It might seem harmless enough. But these shortcuts can create real problems—confused workers, […]

  Most construction tenders are lost for reasons no one ever puts in writing. It’s not always about price. Or scope. Or even timing. Frequently, it comes down to trust. And your printed tender pack—how it looks, how it reads, how it’s structured—is one of the biggest clues clients use to decide whether they’re in […]

Our early ancestors lived in caves for around 2.5 million years. Then it took only 10,000 years to leave our caves and get to the moon. And then only a further 55 years for AI to become mainstream in our daily lives. I realise I’m using broad brushstrokes here, but these ever-decreasing spans of time […]

Introduction Step onto any building site, and one of the first things you’ll notice—before a single spade hits the ground—is the signage. And with good reason. Signs don’t just look official; they are official. They tell people what’s happening, where to go, and how to stay safe. In a world where health and safety is […]

The name of Lady Pamela Hicks may not be instantly recognisable. She’s not active on social media and at 96 years of age, isn’t likely to be. Not only is she fantastically posh, but she has been part of the Royal Family inner circle all her life. Which is hardly surprising given that she is […]

Let’s be honest. We’ve all done it. You’re late for the party, and you’ve forgotten to get a bottle of wine for your host. So, you dash down to the cellar and, after a quick scout around, grab something that’s not completely toxic. Mercifully, the Henschke Hill of Grace is under lock and key – […]

Numbers don’t lie, they say. And big business is all over its numbers. So, when major supermarket chain Lidl spits out some data, it’s well worth a peek under the bonnet to see what’s going on. With over 12,000 stores in 31 countries, their bean counters don’t do stuff on a whim. They test and […]

Keeping everything moving, safely and smoothly The factory floor is where everything comes together — people, machines, raw materials, and tight schedules. It’s busy, it’s high-pressure, and there’s no room for mistakes. Amid all this activity, it’s easy to miss the role of print. Fineline’s printing services for manufacturing companies helps keep people safe, work […]

Helping you make a lasting impression In the world of manufacturing, things can get complex quickly — technical specs, multiple product lines, and bespoke solutions. And while websites and emails do their part, buyers still value something they can hold in their hands when they’re making big decisions. That’s where Fineline’s expertise in printing services […]

It’s that time of the year again. Time to tackle the brambles and nettles, which are starting to resemble giant triffids hell-bent on taking over the garden. Don’t worry; this isn’t a scorched earth policy. Just the untamed bits that will very shortly resemble an impenetrable forest if I don’t get my act together. Right […]

Simple tools that make a big difference Walk into any factory or workshop, and you’ll see it: clipboards, checklists, labels, signs, and manuals. Print is everywhere — quietly doing its job, helping things run smoothly. It might not make a lot of noise, but printing services for manufacturing companies can have a massive impact when […]

Hands up anyone who knows their tinctures from their ordinaries. If asked the same question, I’d ask my interrogator if they’d changed their meds. However, I discovered that tinctures are the colours, metals, and furs used to create heraldic designs in a coat of arms. If you’re still with me, ordinaries, on the other hand, […]

At Fineline Print & Web, we’ve seen firsthand how a professionally designed website can transform a small business. Based in North Wales, we specialise in helping local businesses thrive with strategic website design in North Wales and high-impact branding solutions. Whether you’re launching a new venture or revamping an existing one, the tips below can […]

We’ve all encountered our fair share of swivel-eyed loons in our time. Eyes revolving like a washing machine on full spin. Trousers several inches too short, and they rarely wear socks, either. Their brains are whirring faster than a hamster wheel attached to an electric drill as they fire off wacky idea after wacky idea. […]

You don’t have to be a football fan to feel the excitement building around Everton’s Football Club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool. Sitting like a jewel in the crown rising above the surrounding docks, the new stadium is a magnificent sight. Work started in August 2021, and the ground has already held two […]

    Why First Impressions Matter More Than Ever In luxury hospitality, the smallest details make the biggest difference. When guests arrive, they’re already making up their minds — often within seconds. Everything they see, feel, and touch sets the tone. That’s where print plays a quiet but powerful role. A beautifully printed welcome letter. […]

Speed of delivery always impresses. And in our line of work, print is almost always wanted sooner rather than later. Where deadlines lurk around every corner, same-day turnaround or a couple of days is often the norm. We thought we’d lost a customer last year when a job of theirs had to go out to […]

  Why Seasonal Offers Are Key Seasonal events and offers are a big deal in tourism and hospitality. From summer specials to winter warmers, they help bring in more visitors, fill quiet times, and keep things fresh. But even the best offer won’t work if no one knows about it. That’s where print comes in. […]

  Why It Still Works — and Always Will It’s easy to think that everything has gone digital. Maps on phones. Tickets by email. Reviews on apps. But when it comes to tourism, print still has something the digital world can’t offer — it feels real. When someone arrives in a new place, they’re not […]

The nation is divided. Divided as to whether the change to British Summer Time is good or bad, that is. I must admit, I love it, but I’m as happy as a neutered cat when the clocks go back an hour at the end of October. But not everyone thinks the same way. I’ve heard […]

A good prospectus isn’t just a booklet. It’s a handshake, a welcome mat, and a promise all rolled into one. Whether it’s for a school, college, or university, your prospectus gives people a feel for what it’s like to be part of your community. And if it looks and feels professional, it builds trust straight […]

Ever since restaurant reviews became a thing, diners have had the upper hand.  Waiting too long for a drink? Seated at the wobbly table next to the loo? Keyboard warriors know how to get their own back. That’s with a 1-star rating, along with a pithy comment or two about all the other perceived failings […]

Introduction Imagine if your school used different variations of your logo. Or weren’t particular about sticking to your brand colours. Your print and graphics would look a mess. What message does that send out? You’re right, it would speak volumes about how little people cared behind the scenes. And if they don’t care about the […]

Printing posters remains a cornerstone of effective marketing, creative projects, and decor, even as digital technology evolves. At Fineline Print & Web, based in Wales, we understand that whether you’re an artist showcasing your work, a business promoting an event, or simply looking to brighten up your space, the right printed poster can be a […]

At 4am GMT yesterday, all five red lights on the starting grid went out, and the first Formula 1 race of the year roared into life. The season kicked off in Melbourne in the early hours, and F1 fans are undoubtedly smacking their lips at the prospect of another fast-paced, high-octane thriller of a season. […]

Readers of a certain vintage might remember Billy Whizz. Billy was the super-fast fictional character who burst onto the scene in the Beano on the 16th of May 1964. … and he’s still running. Causing chaos all around him, Billy was so fast he’d meet himself running in the opposite direction. Back in those days, […]

Introduction Imagine walking into a school open day with no signs, no banners, no leaflets—just a bare room and a few confused parents awkwardly trying to figure out where to go. It would feel more like a maze with no map than an exciting, well-organised event. Print is what transforms an event from dull and […]

Boiling an egg shouldn’t be complicated. Tools: cooker, pan of boiling water, timer. Ingredients: an egg. Time: cook to your preference. Simples. It’s probably one of the first things kids are taught in Home Economics. Not so fast, say a group of Italian scientists who came to the long and tortuous (and probably frighteningly expensive) […]

Whoever they were, we’ll never know. But as that learned scribe rolled up their papyrus scroll and popped it on the self to look at another day, they’d never have imagined it would remain unseen for almost 2000 years. But now, that tightly rolled manuscript is under the spotlight. Once buried deep under volcanic ash […]

What Size is Poster Size? When it comes to graphic design, marketing materials, or artistic expression, the question often arises: “What size is poster size?” At Fineline Print & Web, based in North Wales, we understand that selecting the right dimensions is crucial to making your message stand out. In this guide, we’ll break down […]

If you need reminding that last Friday was Valentine’s Day, you’re probably already toast. Flamed to a crisp for forgetting the one day you should have made a special effort to treat someone special in your life. Many up and down the land will have treated their loved ones to an attractive card. Probably purchased […]

Monty Don, our national treasure of the gardening world, has been off on his travels again. Last month saw the launch of a new series with Monty crisscrossing the UK, visiting gardens large and small whilst sharing some enchanting stories of how their farsighted owners brought them into being. Episode three brought him to North […]

Now for something a little different. No one likes a party bore who drones on and on about themselves, but January was even more of a hectic month than usual, and I’d love to highlight some of the stuff that’s kept us busy. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve been up to this month: […]

Typographical errors or typos strike terror in the heart of everyone putting messages into the public sphere. That applies equally to digital or print. With 35 years of experience falling into proverbial elephant traps, we know they’re nothing to laugh about.. We also know that 99% of all typos are found AFTER printing, and I […]

At Fineline Print & Web, we understand the importance of choosing the right format for your printed books. Whether you’re an author, a publisher, or a business creating professional publications, selecting between hardback and paperback books can make a significant impact on your project. As experts in book printing in North Wales, we’ve broken down […]

ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office recounts the near-25-year battle for truth and justice between Sub Postmaster Alan Bates, the Post Office and Horizon, their software system. First aired in January 2024, it’s a real-life David vs Goliath humdinger of a battle. The case has been described as one of the biggest miscarriages […]

Boiler maintenance is never a subject that’s likely to set pulses racing. And this week’s missive will never be 50 Shades of Grey. But it’s reminded me of some VERY valuable lessons recently. Ideally, it’s a summer job. If anything goes awry, no one’s going put you in the dock on a murder rap if […]

Any debate about the BBC is likely to polarise opinions. I’ve got the Today programme’s complaints email on speed dial and frequently use it when I’m about to blow a gasket. Auntie may have its detractors, BUT it also provides some extraordinarily good output for less than the cost of a barista-quality coffee a week. […]

Printing services are an essential part of modern life, providing solutions for both personal and professional needs. At Fineline Print & Web, based in Wales, we specialise in delivering top-quality printing services that cater to a variety of requirements. In this post, we’ll explore what printing services entail, the types available, their benefits, and tips […]

Last weekend, Ruthin held its Christmas Market. The town centre was cordoned off to make a wonderful pedestrian-only area. Cafes heaved, and shops bustled. The town was packed with possibly a thousand or more excited shoppers eager to enjoy a little Christmas festivity. At the bottom end of town, the old gaol had been requisitioned […]

“How to destroy your brand in 30 seconds.” “This is not a rebrand; this is Jaguar’s farewell to the world.” Just two of the many comments on social media piling in to Jaguar Land Rover ahead of today’s relaunch of Jaguar as an electric-only brand. What had aroused the ire of genuine Jag fans was […]

It’s a long-running joke that retailers put out their Christmas wares just as the schools are breaking up for the summer holidays. For me, the build-up to Christmas begins when our local butcher advertises his fattened geese and plump turkeys, not to mention the completely irresistible pigs-in-blankets. Just thinking about all the delicious delights is […]

Realising that the game was up, Charles de Gaulle headed for England. It was June 1940, and the French government had agreed an armistice with Germany. Something to which he was implacably opposed. However, moving to Britain placed him in a difficult position due to his uneasy relationship with the country and his suspicion that […]

Never ask a man about pain. Ever. Because it’s well known that we don’t know the meaning of the word. After suffering no more than a stubbed toe, most would leave you believing that they’d just had their leg sawn off without the aid of anaesthetic. Which, incidentally, is almost how I felt after treading […]

So that’s it for another five months. The British Summer Time Act decreed that our clocks had to go back an hour, and “ZAP,” the dark evenings seemed to bring Winter ever closer. An early evening walk last week was a reminder of the immense forces at play as the earth’s journey around the sun […]

John Lobb is one of the oldest bootmakers in the country. Based at 9 St James’s Street London they’ve been making boots for over 170 years. And with Royal Warrants, dating back to 1863, have a well-deserved reputation for making some of the finest bespoke footwear available. But how did it all start? Born on […]

On Wednesday, September 18th the Scandinavian Airlines flight to Malaga lifted gently off Oslo’s Gardermoen airport tarmac and roared into the sky. Ahead lay a 4-hour 5-minute flight which would surely be as uneventful as ever, and the cabin crew quickly got ready to cremate the in-flight meals for their hungry passengers. Back in cattle […]

Can Vinyl Banners Be Used Outside? Vinyl banners have become a staple in outdoor advertising, offering a versatile, affordable and eye-catching way to promote events, sales, and special offers. But one question occasionally crops up: Can vinyl banners be used outside? The short answer is yes – but like most things, their durability and effectiveness […]

Please, sir, I want some more … pleaded Oliver Twist. Desperate with hunger and misery the poor lad risked the wrath of the workhouse master when he asked for another bowl of thin watery gruel. For many of us, thankfully, this vision of Dickensian Britain is far removed from life today as adverts for elastic […]

There are some things in life that you should never, ever attempt without a spare. Not having a spare set of keys for the house would be one contender unless you’re wanted by the old bill for housebreaking. Jumping out of a plane with a single chute would be pretty high on the list unless […]

‘Ow much! As any true Yorkshireman would say. Even if the price tag says 50% of nothing. So, you don’t need to be called Sherlock to imagine the reaction to the news that a room at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London is likely to set you back £4,845 per day. The IDRC just […]

The money’s in the follow-up. Or so they say. And there wasn’t a better reminder of it than last week. Even if this time the boot was on the other foot. About six months ago a message dropped into my inbox offering a solution to something that had been weighing heavily on my mind. While […]

Imagine this: You’re at a networking event, juggling a cup of coffee and a conversation about your favourite obscure indie band, when someone asks for your business card. You proudly hand it over, and they take one look and… yawn. The card is dull, generic, and blends in with every other business card they’ve ever […]

Fear manifests itself in so many ways. It could be that spike of anxiety when we spot the speed camera flash as we hurry past. It might be filling the car up with fuel only to find there’s a problem with your debit card. For those brave enough to have tried it, it might be […]

If your office was on fire what’s the one thing that you’d have to grab before the building becomes a smouldering ruin? At a business meeting I once heard one of Britain’s top entrepreneurs say that it was his database. No ifs or buts. With it, he reckoned that he’d be back up and running […]

Best North Wales Printers: How to Choose the Right One for You So, you’re on the hunt for the best commercial printers in North Wales? Good news – you’re spoilt for choice! North Wales is home to several excellent commercial printers, each with their own strengths. But how do you pick the one that’s right […]

Who hasn’t run into a brick wall at some stage in their life when dealing with BIG business. Whilst their marketing people have endless squillions to spend on telling everyone how wonderful their products and service are they’ve got even bigger departments seemingly dedicated to business prevention. Who hasn’t waited for endless hours on hold […]

Up and down the land the harvest is now in full swing. The winter oilseed rape is in. As is the winter barley and the combines are taking full advantage of some hot dry weather as they rattle through acres of plump grained winter wheat. It’s hot, dry, dusty work for farmers as they gather […]

Ever wondered why some posters seem to fall apart when it rains while others stand strong like superheroes? The secret lies in whether they’re made for indoors or outdoors. Let’s dive into the world of posters and uncover what makes each type tick.   Indoor Posters: Soft, Stylish, and Safe Indoor posters are the pampered […]

So, you want to make a leaflet or flyer? Fantastic! Let’s turn you into a leaflet-making pro. We’ll keep it simple, fun, and super informative.   Getting Started: What Do We Mean by “Make”? When we say, “make a leaflet or flyer,” we mean designing it. It’s all about creating a piece of paper that […]

We’ve got a serious mole problem in our garden. How many or where they’ve all come from is a mystery but they’re making their presence felt big style. It did cross my mind that if this lot had been helping out with HS2 they probably wouldn’t have had to cancel the northern leg last year. […]

What is the Difference Between Vinyl and PVC Banners? Welcome to the quirky world of banners! Today, we’re diving into the question: What’s the difference between Vinyl and PVC banners? Spoiler alert: They’re essentially the same thing! But let’s explore why they’re both awesome and how they can serve your needs.   What are Vinyl […]

It may not be the thrill of the week but every once in a while, our paper merchants send us samples of new stuff hoping to entice us with their new wares. Sometimes the selling point is its texture, maybe its depth of colour or perhaps, its environmental credentials. But it’s a tough sell if […]

Unless you’re a bit of a fitness freak chopping logs with an axe is a backbreaker of a job. It’s certainly not my idea of a fun weekend and even less so when you’re faced with the same punishment for the next six weeks or more. Just 30 minutes chopping wood by hand made me […]

Whilst all eyes and ears may have been on Glastonbury recently Ruthin was staging its own musical extravaganza with the Ruthin Festival. We may not have a ruined abbey or a mystical Tor, but we do have a mediaeval castle and the ruins of the Jubilee Tower. And … a group of enterprising individuals who […]

The sinister-looking envelope which landed in our letterbox had an air of menace about it the moment I set eyes on it. And that was even before I’d opened the beastly brown brute. With some trepidation, it was eventually torn open, and a quick scan revealed my worst fears. Over one and a half pages […]

With one last enormous bang and a cloud of blue smoke, the old brute breathed its last. Our beloved and trusty mower of 25 years vintage (and possibly more) had given up the ghost and shuffled off its mortal coil. And boy had she done well. Almost every part had been repaired or replaced and […]

It doesn’t take too much imagination to figure out what happens when a fox gets into a hen shed. We used to keep a few hens in the garden, and it was an occupational hazard. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Bloodbath at the House of Death – take your pick. Both describe the scenes of devastation […]

Almost a year after they were crowned at Westminster Abbey, King Charles and the Queen were honoured with a private viewing of the Coronation Roll. The document is the official record of the Monarch’s Accession and Coronation and is the first in this country’s history to be printed on paper rather than parchment. At 69 […]

The National Cyber Security Centre’s London HQ is a futuristic jumble of glass and steel and the workplace of some of the nation’s cleverest wonks. Unfathomably intelligent and with IQs north of 400 these pointy-heads are charged with keeping the nation safe and guarding us from the ever-present threat of a cyber-attack. We never really […]

In what seems like a different age the mercurial entrepreneur Elon Musk confirmed that Twitter would henceforth be known as X. In fact, it was as recently as July 2023, that the announcement was made. Now, nearly a year on, and the print and broadcast media still qualify reports about X with the rider “formally […]

I sat down recently with a guy to talk about his brochure. To spare him any blushes let’s call him Fred. The job was simple. He was clutching a years-old brochure that he wanted to freshen up a bit. Nothing too complicated. Perhaps a colour change here and there, a few new graphics and a […]

There can’t be anything too difficult about using a shovel, surely? They’re great tools, handy for so many tasks and a nailed on essential in my man-cave. But I’ve never yet seen one that comes with a user manual. What is there to know? There’s a handle, a shaft and the business end of the […]

They say you can always tell a retired copper because he’s always asking stupid questions. Well, I could have done with some of that wisdom last week when dealing with Mrs S’ new phone when it finally arrived. Delighted as I was when it came, it’s one thing to marvel at the new device and […]

Right. That’s it, I declared with as much gravelly voiced authority that only Morgan Freeman possesses. You really must get a new phone. Mrs S. had just tried to take a photo with her fully charged but ancient Google Pixel 2 only for it to conk out. If it’d been a Tesla, it would have […]

Psst! Here’s something a little different for you this week because I want to talk about Wedding Stationery. While wedding stationery might not be on your immediate radar, it might be for someone close to you. From Save-the-Dates to Thank-You Cards, our wide array of stationery sets the stage for unforgettable celebrations. Even if you’re […]

With the excitement of Easter almost upon us, you might think it a tad odd to hark back to Christmas. Yes, it is but a distant memory and with the Spring Equinox now behind us, Christmas is but a distant spec in the rearview mirror. And yet … It does have a very salient lesson […]

Mowing our lawn is usually well underway by now but we all know what the weather’s been like this winter. The last time we had this much rain Noah was pulling up the gangplank and setting sail, so it’s unsurprising things are a tad late. Luckily, we’ve had a few dry days recently so, with […]

Daniel Priestly may not be a household name but at 43 years old he’s done pretty well for himself. Born in Australia he’d built a multi-million-dollar enterprise by the age of 25 and has gone on to grow businesses in the UK, USA, Singapore, and Australia. Right now, he’s getting a lot of airtime as […]

Many pet owners will recognise the scene. You’re sitting in the waiting room at the vet waiting for one of your closest support workers (aka the dog) to be seen. Anxiety is rising. You, because you’re cursing forgoing the pet insurance when it was on offer and are now wondering how many noughts there might […]

Our local Tesco store is advertising watermelons at £3 a pop. However, shoppers in Vancouver seem to be happy to hand over an eye-watering $200 for the same product. So, what is going on? It turns out these cubed brutes are picked well before they’re ripe making them almost inedible so they’re probably being purchased […]

Some say paper is “old tech”. Only a step up from tablets of stone as a means of getting your message across. Surely, they say, only fossilised old relics use paper these days – don’t they? I would disagree. And as you could probably guess, I could wax lyrical about paper. How long have you […]

Established in 1676, in London, Locke & Co. is the oldest hat shop in the world. And they’ve been making hats for their discerning customers ever since. Indeed, the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll’s Adventures of Alice in Wonderland was based on James Benning, the firm’s shop manager at the time. Their list of clientele […]

No sooner, it seems, are the Christmas leftovers swept from the table than our minds turn once again to food. For this time of year is marmalade time. When it’s time to preserve those beautifully gnarled and bitter little brutes from Seville into the most delicious accompaniment to the breakfast table. The Spanish who grow […]

Food markets are some of my favourite places. Full of wonderful smells and delicious treats that assail the senses. Costermongers of old knew all the tricks of their trade as they piled their most colourful wares to catch the eye of passing trade. Some of the cannier ones would spray fresh fruit with a fine […]

It’s amusing how the meaning of words changes over time. Years ago, range anxiety meant worrying about the next loo stop on a long car journey. Today, it’s all about EVs and planning a long car journey to ensure there are enough charging stations along the way. But last week, I experienced this in a […]

“Baby calf reunited with mother” ran the headlines as the moving story described recently how an elephant calf was reunited with the herd. He’d become separated from his family group in a wildlife reserve in India at the end of December and was found by wardens in some distress looking for his mother. By the […]

The agony of agonies. The forensic search for the last mince pie has ended in failure. But with a little luck, there will be enough cold turkey to last until Easter. All the guests who drank your wine like they were putting out a forest fire have mercifully long since returned to raid their own […]

If you’ve been living under the same rock as me you’ve probably never heard of Despicable Me either. But it turns out nearly everyone else has which is why it’s become the highest-grossing animated film franchise of all time. You don’t get to pass Go on the Monopoly board and collect over $4.4 billion if […]

Pulp Fiction screamed the inevitable headlines as news emerged last week of the pulping of thousands of copies of Omid Scobie’s latest book End Game. It’s the most recent of his books on the Royal Family and the Dutch edition is already on its way to the shredders. But it was only once the books […]

With a top speed of 645 miles per hour pilots of the RAF’s T1 Hawk jets are expected to have lightning-fast reflexes. We know them as the Red Arrows, our elite band of pilots who undergo hundreds of hours of training to hone their skills. At that speed things happen before you’ve had time to […]

          400 years ago, Shakespeare’s plays were collected together in a book.           It remains the greatest literary work ever created.           Little is known about the man who wrote it.           But there are clues … So begins […]

Albert Einstein, a man whose name defined genius was one of the greatest minds of the 20th century. Perhaps one of the greatest of all time. So, could it be possible that he’d once failed an intelligence test? The test, 146 questions devised by that other great genius of the time, Thomas Edison after he […]

It’s fair to say that my most significant lightbulb moments rarely if ever occur when I’m sitting behind my desk. And so it proved during 36 hours away from the battlefront. Lightbulb moment No. 1. We were at a memorial service recently which was held in the Long Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground in North […]

Tired of the “heart-crushing sterility of dating apps” freelance writer Sophie Cockerham decided a new approach was needed. Picking up on something she’d seen trending on “X” she decided to give it a go. And giving it a go involved nothing more remarkable than having some business cards printed. But it was the message printed […]

Dinner and Bed & Breakfast for two at The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye will likely cost the thick end of £500 per night. And it is just one of three world-renowned restaurants on an island of scarcely more than 13,000 residents. Granted, it is situated in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful […]

If I opened the fridge door, all I’d probably see was an old lump of cheese with a fur coat that would have made Liberace proud. Mrs S, on the other hand, could open that same fridge door and produce a calorie-busting feast that would feed an army. Heaped platters of tasty treats would be […]

They say that a camel is a horse designed by a committee. And never has a phrase been more appropriate. With all good intentions, people wade in to add their two pennyworth. Every suggestion is well-intentioned and worthy of consideration in its own right. Until it’s too late. Your dashing charger that once would have […]

There’s no doubt that the French make wonderful bread. But in Italy, breadmaking is elevated to an art form and never fails to delight any hungry gastronaut. The amazing thing is that bakers the world over use the same four basic ingredients: flour, water, salt and yeast. Yet they turn out wonderful loaves that look […]

If you were asked to define the word Genius, the name of Leonardo da Vinci would top many a list. Born in 1452 to Caterina, a destitute orphan, he grew up to be one of the world’s greatest inventors. With many ideas centuries ahead of their time. Whilst most famous for his paintings such as the […]

Geoffrey Chaucer has been called the father of English literature. Poet, author and civil servant, he is best known for Canterbury Tales – one of the first great works of literature to be written in English. Disguised underneath a veneer of lewd and vulgar prose Chaucer aims a razor-sharp quill at those who abused their […]

Zoom has changed our lives. Yet like any advanced tech, it has its infuriating moments. But during the pandemic, the video communications platform was a Godsend. But it isn’t real. Stories abound of people wearing shirts on top and tutus and fluffy slippers out of sight below desk height. Some couldn’t even be arsed to […]

The Red Arrows are our Royal Air Force’s elite aerobatic display team. Flying in Hawk T1 aircraft, nine elite fast-jet pilots make up the team in the air. Their call signs range from Red 1 through to Red 9. Two of the most accomplished pilots in the group are Reds 6 and 7 who form the […]

Have you ever wondered why chess players looked so vexed? The two protagonists facing each other across the chequered board. Poised in a mind battle of epic proportions. If you have, there’s probably a very good reason. Because they say that there are more possible variations in the game than there are atoms in the […]

It could have all been so different for Dame Andrea Jenkyns. Now a well-established Member of Parliament she was not always destined to become part of our legislature. In her teens, Andrea was a fine soprano, a talent discovered whilst singing songs written by her childhood hero, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Night after night her father, […]

The email landing in my inbox read a bit like a Ben Macintyre spy novel. Clouded in mystery and intrigue, it explained that a man had collapsed in the street in Holywell and whilst attempting to establish his identity one of OUR business cards had been found “about his person.” KGB Double Agent Oleg Antonovich […]

“We love sport because of how it makes us feel.” So ran the headline on the BBC’s cricket page after England had just won the 5th Men’s Ashes Test at the Oval. Whilst there were 22 men involved in that game, the article’s focus was on just one of them. Stuart Broad. Dreams don’t come […]

On Saturday the 6th of May, King Charles was crowned at Westminster Abbey. The service began at 11am that morning and he was officially crowned at mid-day in a ceremony watched by millions across the globe. The problem was that no one thought it prudent to inform the marketing department at Highgrove House, King Charles’ […]

Two people working in a kitchen can be a recipe for disaster. But there was little I could do to avoid invading Mrs S’ space last weekend because it was Redcurrant Jelly time. Every May our three mature bushes are netted to protect them from the birds and in July the wonderfully bright little scarlet […]

Insomnia is said to affect one in three people in the UK. So, there’s a possibility that you may have listened in on Radio 4’s Farming Today last week. It’s an early morning programme with all sorts of interesting stories about where our food comes from and the people who work so hard to put […]

When they’re fishing for business, website wonks love sending out colourful reports about how good or bad your website is performing. Page after page of impenetrable jargon that even Elon Musk wouldn’t understand. Such a report is sure to have you reaching for the painkillers before you even get to the end of page one. […]

No one likes a party bore. There you are, trapped in a corner having to listen to endless droning. On and on they drone. And it’s always about THEM. They’ve done this, they’ve done that, they’ve done everything, but YOU are well and truly trapped. This must be a learned art because a part bore […]

The 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is something of an epic. The cast, cinematography, script, and soundtrack all come together to make one of THE great American Western classics. One of the most memorable moments occurs early in the film when Sundance is playing cards and winning big. So big that his […]

Everyone seems to be fretting about AI taking over and replacing people. But there aren’t many virtual workers that I know of who’d be brave enough to scale a tall ladder and fix a wobbly chimney pot. I’ve never been to building school so I’ve no idea what their coursework looks like. But it doesn’t […]

A gathering of ex-CID officers of the Metropolitan Police met for their annual lunch recently. As is usual at such reunions, stories were swapped, and gossip exchanged as the ex-coppers fondly recalled tales of the hardened villains now doing time. There’s nothing like nostalgia they say. So it was something of a surprise to see […]

Every May the flowering cherry in our garden is bedecked with flowers. It’s a superb specimen and treats us to a magical display every year. Without fail. Whether it flowers early or late is very much dependent on the weather. And despite the late Spring this year, it hasn’t let us down. In fact, this […]

At 9:28pm tomorrow evening it is 80 years since 19 aircraft from 617 Squadron rolled down the runway at Scampton RAF base in Lincolnshire. They were the Dambusters. Their targets were the Möhne, Eder and Sorpe dams in the industrial heartlands of the Ruhr Valley. The aircraft they flew were Roy Chadwick’s superlative Avro Lancaster. […]

Those partial to a wee dram will know that whisky is aptly named. The name derives from the Gaelic ‘uisge beatha’, or ‘usquebaugh’, meaning ‘water of life’. Scan the shelves of any off licence and you’ll see dozens of different types. Make a trip up to Scotland and hundreds of different types, sizes, and flavours […]

On Monday 17th April, the Brecon Beacons Nation Park was renamed … henceforth to be known as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Why? The park’s managers said the present name – referencing wood-burning, carbon-emitting beacons – no longer fitted the park’s eco ethos, hence the rebrand. And then the world erupted. You knew things were turning into a […]

Easter may have come and gone but it was a great opportunity to get away from the slings and arrows and get out and smell the roses. Every year we plan a short trek and this year’s amazing weather was the perfect opportunity to get out and about. Our destination? A 5/6 mile walk along […]

Yellow Peril is what hay fever sufferers call it and the UK’s crop of Oilseed Rape is almost in full flower. And it could be a bumper crop for farmers and … our honeybees. A wet March has left soil moisture levels high which is good because damp soil and warm weather mean lots of […]

The city of San Sebastian lies on the shores of the Bay of Biscay. It’s famous as a foodie destination and the northern Spanish city boasts the second most Michelin stars per capita in the world. But to sample the gastronomic delights of its most famous eatery, hungry travellers must take a 16-minute car journey […]

“Sex Therapists slug it out in £2m court battle”, screamed the headlines in last week’s papers. It’s a sensationalist headline and heaven knows what they were saying behind the doors of London’s High Court. If it was anything like the goings-on in the Gwyneth Paltrow (of Goop fame) trial, I’m sure it would be well […]

How many of us have spent the best part of a weekend assembling a piece of Ikea flat-pack furniture? You’ve sweated, sworn, and spent hours trying to put together something childishly simple but the hope is you can stand back and admire your remarkable woodworking skills … At times you might have thought it would […]

For some mysterious reason, the tummy-gurgling glee of mid-week suppers outweighs weekend feasts by a country mile. Maybe it’s got something to do with only eating two dried dog biscuits between breakfast and supper. But I doubt it. Because rain or shine, my much better half never fails to put a delectable dish on the […]

The email landed in my inbox in the early hours of Friday morning. “Could we print some Matt Laminated Business Cards – super urgently?” Nothing unusual in that apart from the fact that the message had been sent from a company in Sydney, Australia and the cards were needed for their UK Head of Sales. […]

For those that enjoy a little light bedtime reading, the Principia Mathematica probably doesn’t top the list. Written in 1910 by Alfred Whitehead and Bertrand Russell the weighty tome runs to more than 700 pages and demonstrates the close relationship between mathematics and formal logic. What is particularly interesting is that a significant chunk of […]

Winter 1916 was particularly wet and grim. February of that year saw the start of the Battle of Verdun – the longest and one of the costliest battles of World War 1. So, who knows what the thoughts were of Christabel Mennell as she braved the elements on Saturday the 6th of February 1916 to […]

Fancy eating lunch on a soggy park bench under dark leaden skies in late winter? No, me neither. But for those lucky enough to be getting away for a spot of skiing, eating al fresco can be pure bliss. The scenery is breathtaking and the air impossibly clear with just a hint of the scent […]

Last Sunday I promised my dearly beloved that I’d fix the lock on our front door. The door’s hinges have worn over the years which means that the latch didn’t fit into the receiver properly. A dead simple fix. Or so I thought. All I had to do was remove the receiver, nip over to […]

We all know that oranges are, well, orange. But novice designers often come unstuck when they want something a little out of the ordinary. The colour of your logo, for example. The English language has 11 basic colour words which can be split up into primary and secondary colours. But then it starts to get […]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society tells the story of the wartime book club and its island members. In 1946, London-based writer Juliet Ashton, played by Lilly James, was invited to the island to meet the club whose wartime experiences capture Ashton’s imagination. But for some, their wartime experiences were still too raw, […]

Up and down the country, in factories and offices across the land Britain’s entrepreneurs work tirelessly on product improvement. Making their product or service just that little bit better than the competition. Maybe it’ll be faster. It could be cheaper. Possibly bigger or smaller or even … an evolutionary step-change in design. Whatever it is, […]

Former US Secretary of State, James Baker defined the 5 Ps. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance A dictum I should have taken on board long ago and which is why my planning for 2023 is shaping up well. Three things have been chewing my backside off for far too long which is why they took […]

Ask someone what business they are in and they might say something like: I’m a Vet or I’m an IT specialist. This may be true in the literal sense but from the customer’s point of view people don’t wake up one morning thinking it might be fun to go to the vet today. They need […]

In 15 years of brutal but dazzling conquest, Alexander the Great never lost a battle. A close-run encounter with the Illyrians demonstrated his brilliance – even when caught off guard as he faced them outside the city of Pelion. Arriving at nightfall, tired after one of his trademark lightning-fast forced marches, Alexander made a hasty […]

Now that the clocks have changed many of us have to make our way home in winter’s inky blackness. But before they wound their way back, there was just enough light for me to walk home across the fields and marvel at watching nature bedding down for winter. One of my very last cross-country walks […]

Il Paradiso is one of the largest paintings on canvas in the world. Painted by the Venetian master Tintoretto it dominates the main hall of the Doge’s Palace in Venice where it has hung since its completion in 1594. Its theme is the Final Judgement and depicts over 500 figures across its enormous 22.6 metre […]

The driver of the Gräf & Stift Double Phaeton turned onto Franz Josef Street and quickly realised his mistake. Reversing into a side street to perform a rapid U-turn, the 4-cylinder 32 horse-power engine stalled. Across the street, the episode was watched by an incredulous Gavrilo Princip, one of seven Bosnian-Serb assassins belonging to an […]

In the heart of London lies our most famous church: Westminster Abbey. Burial place of over 3,000 souls and where every coronation, bar two, have taken place since 1066. Spared during the dissolution of the monasteries when he granted the abbey cathedral status, Henry VIII ensured that it was saved from the destruction inflicted on […]

On a large wall in his light-filled Paris studio is a mood board filled with pictures and ideas that inspire the world’s most famous shoemaker. Expelled from school at the age of 16, Cristian Louboutin began his career in shoes just two years later. Branching out on his own, he opened his first store in […]

For those interested in sleep-inducing reading the Office of National Statistics is a great place to start. Some of their undoubtedly valuable insights are as dry and unappetising as a year-old dog biscuit and barely more digestible. But dig around in their data and there are some extremely valuable insights. You don’t need to be […]

High up in the French Pyrenees sit Le Cirque de Gavarnie. One of nature’s most breathtaking creations. A 5,000 feet high wall of rock reaches the sky to form the most spectacular natural amphitheatre. It is a beguiling but treacherous landscape and a natural wonder of the world which has inspired many writers, including Victor […]

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “What if …?” Who hasn’t, would probably be the answer. But instead of just rolling the question around in our minds until it drives us nuts (one of my most common failings, by the way), some surprising things happen when we actually do something about it. In fact, […]

If the BBC has a conker expert on speed dial, I’m sure they would be heard on the airwaves declaring a vintage year. In the same way as the head winemaker of one of our ancient port houses might be found wreathed in the smoke from a fine Havana whilst celebrating a momentous grape harvest […]

Watching someone like Ben Ainslie at work at the helm of a fast yacht might not provide much inspiration for business. But there IS a big lesson in there. But before we start – who is he? Firstly, he’s the most successful sailor in Olympic history. Secondly, alongside Sir Alex Ferguson he’s one of my […]

Doing his best impression of Young Kaleb from Clarkson’s Farm, my young nephew, Tom, was driving the tractor. On a warm late summer’s evening, our kitchen door was open and as we ate our supper, we could see Tom ploughing the last of the winter barley stubble into the ground. The immense 200 horsepower of […]

Walking across our drive the other day, I spotted a weed. There’s nothing unusual in that but in the Atacama Desert-like conditions we’re experiencing right now, it’s a wonder that anything is growing. Ok, so our drive isn’t the driest place on earth and unlike the Atacama, we HAVE seen rain in the past 500 […]