Innholdsfortegnelse for 04-Dec-2019 i Country Life

● Residents love Hampstead Heath—as Dairin Moukarzel of Savills Hampstead explains: ‘It’s a readymade play spot for the weekends.’ Plus, adds Lee Koffman of UK Sotheby’s International Realty, the heath is one of the few places in London where you can breathe clean air and swim outdoors ● Residents like the local pubs, with favourites ranging from the Holly Bush—going as strong today as it did in the 18th century—to 28 Church Row (both recommended by Charlie Smith of London Real Estate Advisors), The Freemasons Arms and the dog-friendly The Wells ( Mrs Moukarzel’s favourites), Villa Bianca and The Coffee Cup (suggested by Mr Schneiderman) and the Duke of Hamilton ● Residents could do without the Northern Line—it’s called Misery Line for a reason. That said, Hampstead Heath station has…

IN 1979, aged 20, I took my nephew to see the Christmas lights in Oxford Street. Not because he wanted to see them (he was a tiny baby), but because I did. The fact is that nothing enhances the pleasure of a Christmas treat in London more than the addition of a child or two. The more the merrier, in fact, because they bring a level of excitement, innocence, energy and joy that no adult companions ever could. Not that they haven’t been mildly troublesome on occasion over the decades. One year, a small child, who shall remain nameless in order to spare his blushes (Jack), disappeared from the Harrods Toy Department (also known as the Seven Circles of Hell), causing the whole shop to be locked down and searched…

ANY visitor to Britain this month could be forgiven for thinking that the only thing happening in the country is the General Election. That’s not to deny its importance, but the cynicism, the crazy statistics, the open mockery of party leaders and blatancy about ‘least-worst’ options, mean we desperately need other things to believe in. Advent should be magical, with human charity at its best and the prevailing spirit one of forgiveness for the foibles of our fellow men. It’s when the public gives generously, remembering the homeless, carol-singing in nursing homes and responding practically to national disasters; it’s charity cards that should be dropping through letterboxes, not political leaflets. There are so many simple pleasures to enjoy: lighting a fire, kicking up beech leaves, the pleasing silhouettes of bare…

AS we approach the shortest day of the year, our trees have taken on a wondrous sculptural beauty, as they stand naked in the landscape. This is the time of year when you see their true majesty, when they echo great works of art, such as Michelangelo’s David. The bare shapes of our different tree species are as distinctive from one another as the leaves they’ve so recently lost. Near my home in Hampshire, there’s a stand of three ash trees with trademark feathery branches that thrills me every time I pass it. In Sussex, mighty oaks dominate the countryside. Their roots, plunged deep into Wealden clay, support vast boughs jutting from great trunks. They are Nature’s cathedrals: aged, strong and silent. Trees enter a period of dormancy in winter…

HOW the house fly survives the winter has up to now been an unsolved problem. The idea was once current that though vast numbers perished others became dormant during the inclement months and emerged in the spring sunshine. But till recently it was never dreamt that the larvae survived in snail shells. Yet a communication from Mr C. J. Gahan of the Natural History Museum seems to show that is at least one of their ways of passing the winter. It is true that his tone about it is a little undecided. A French experimentalist claims to have proved that the larvae of the house fly can enter the closed diaphragm of the shell and that they eat the snail and, having destroyed one, go on in search of another.…

‘None of the main parties really regards culture as a vote winner’ WITH a warm towel pressed to her brow, Athena has been scanning the election manifestos of the three main parties with a view to comparing their promises in the cultural sphere. It’s been a depressing exercise. All three manifestos assert that Arts and culture (‘heritage’ is a word that seems to have passed out of fashion) are important, which is hardly a controversial point to make, and promise to maintain free public access to the national museums. Free admission—Athena would observe —has been a central plank of cultural policy across the political spectrum for the past two decades. What it has meant in practice is the Government demanding free access in return for ever-diminishing, and increasingly inadequate, funding.…

Strozzapreti pasta with Brussels sprouts and pancetta Drop 300g strozzapreti (available in Waitrose) into boiling, salted water and cook for four minutes. In a large pan, fry a few strips of chopped pancetta in a good glug of olive oil, with a crushed clove of garlic, a scattering of chilli flakes, a splash of white wine and 100g of chopped, cooked Brussels sprouts. Drain the pasta and tip into the pan. Mix well, grate Parmesan over the top and serve. A side of Brussels sprouts Trim and halve 200g of Brussels sprouts. Add them to a large, hot frying pan foaming with butter and fry until almost soft. Stir every so often. Once cooked, scatter with a few tablespoons of pomegranate seeds and a teaspoon each of pomegranate molasses and…

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a siren is a woman who is ‘very beautiful but also dangerous’. According to me, Siren, The Goring’s new restaurant, is both of those things. Beautiful because, of course, it is—even the pots cocktail sticks come in at SW1’s most gilded hotel are lookers. Dangerous because, halfway down the list of sides, is an innocently named dish of ‘crispy potatoes’. What actually come are the thickest, most shatteringly golden, yet fluffy chips you’ve ever tasted, with garlic and parsley. If this is what being lured to my death on the rocks tastes like, sign me up. I’m getting ahead of myself. Nathan Outlaw, catch-of-the-day supremo from Cornwall (hence the restaurant’s name), has taken over the space at the back of The Goring’s bar, turning…

1 Buy them some toys Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop in Covent Garden (www. pollocks-coventgarden.co.uk), established in 1856, carries everything from toy theatres to pocket-money novelties 2 See London from a different perspective Forget the West End crowds and enjoy London’s Christmas lights from up high, by climbing to the top of St Paul’s Cathedral (www.stpauls.co.uk), or down low, by taking to the water aboard a Thames Clipper (www. thamesclippers.com). The glass walkway that spans Tower Bridge (www.towerbridge.org.uk) also offers fantastic views 3 Let them eat cake Maison Bertaux (www. maisonbertaux.com ) in Greek Street is the best patisserie in London. Virginia Woolf loved its buttery croissants and Karl Marx was partial to the strawberry tarts 4 Or even panettone Introduce your young charges to panettone…

Conservatives Farming Move funding to a ‘public money for public goods’ system, with the current budget for agricultural support guaranteed for the duration of Parliament. Urge public sector to buy British products. Future trade agreements won’t compromise environmental, animal-welfare and food standards Climate change and environment The UK could be carbon neutral by 2050, with gas boilers banned from new homes and support for electric cars, plus energy-efficiency and decarbonisation schemes, the restoration of peatland, the planting of up to 75,000 more trees a year, a deposit-return scheme to boost recycling and the banning of plastic exports to non-OECD countries Connectivity and infrastructure Strengthen public transport by building the Northern Powerhouse Railway, reintroducing lines between smaller towns and creating a super-bus network; discuss HS2 with regional authorities. Every UK…

LONDON is now gearing up properly for Christmas, as the special events and shows that celebrate the season get underway. We have been trying to fit in as many as possible. Last weekend included the Christmas lights at Kew Gardens (in gentle rain that completely failed to dampen our spirits), ice-skating at Hampton Court and The Magic Flute at Covent Garden. Of the three, the skating was perhaps the most successful. The children, both complete novices, took to the ice with such total disregard for their own safety that—for my peace of mind—I had to disregard their repeated and spectacular accidents and focus instead on the bizarre task of pushing a gigantic plastic banana around the rink loaded with three other small children in our party. The Magic Flute would…

Blondes have more fun Q My wife has had beautiful blonde hair for as long as I’ve known her, but recently went brunette. I’m unclear as to what inspired this sudden and dramatic change, but I don’t like it. She’s still beautiful, but I get a shock every time she walks into a room. Should I tell her this? F. T., Isle of Wight A Oh, no. No, no, no. Don’t kid yourself that the era of wives doing anything to please their husbands, or even consulting their opinion, has not long, long passed. Women’s decisions about their appearance are now dictated exclusively by other women. She will have gone brunette because a female columnist has decreed it, because she wishes to emulate a prominent woman or because she…

Every generation I AM tired of hearing how the baby-boom generation has set such a poor example for our children. Ours was the generation that had to learn to change its behaviour, to haul recycling bins to the curb. We carefully taught our children to re-use and recycle. People say millennials don’t have a problem with living sustainably—but oh, they do. It is their generation that has popularised online retail, costing millions of one-use cardboard boxes and non-recyclable plastic shipping bags, not to mention the delivery—but the teenage revolutionaries are yet to address this. As a parent, all I can do is sigh and say: ‘We tried.’ Nehama Jacobs, California, USA The writer of the letter of the week will win a bottle of Pol Roger Brut Réserve Champagne…

IN a turbulent political year, Jon Snow, often presenting Channel 4 News live from the Palace of Westminster, has seemed like one of the few calm voices on the scene. Perhaps it’s because, unlike many covering the events, he’s never been a Parliamentary nerd, losing sight of the wider picture when disclosing the latest dodgy update from some undisclosed Government source. He led an exciting life as a roving reporter before settling into his present role. His encounters with Idi Amin, Fidel Castro and Margaret Thatcher were recounted in his book Shooting History, things he now describes as ‘old news’. However, the early pages recall a picturesque childhood in the ‘green and rustic wastes’ of the Sussex Weald. He’s keener to talk about that and his memories of the setting…

• One of the men responsible for importing Gordon setters to the US was Daniel Webster, Secretary of State from 1841 to 1843 and again from 1850 to 1852 • Like that of other setters, the Gordon’s genetic make-up includes spaniel, hound and pointer antecedents • The 4th Duke of Gordon’s first sporting love was falconry and he may have been among the last owners of the now-vanished Highland greyhound, before transferring his loyalty to black-and-tan setters • An observer once commented of the Duke of Gordon’s dogs: ‘They are not fast dogs, but they have good staying powers and can keep on steadily from morning until night. Their noses are first class and they seldom make a false point. When they stand, you may be sure there are birds’…

What are the starting points to decorating a spare bedroom? Guest bedrooms are a great place to exercise some creative spirit. Because they aren’t in use every day, no one will tire of adventurous colours, wallpapers or patterns. A toile works really well in a guest room; we like the selection at Ralph Lauren Home (020–7535 4600; www.ralphlauren.co.uk). Take this approach through to the windows with some bold curtains or blinds, but make sure they are lined with black-out fabric. Everyone sleeps differently and many depend on complete darkness for a really restful night. What’s your advice for the bed itself? Remember, house guests are essentially on holiday, so try and create a sanctuary of comfort for them. Start with a good mattress and go for a soft tension. If…

Apples in store should be examined weekly. Your first task is to remove any that show signs of decay, as this will rapidly spread. Take the fruit from the front first, as it will have been stored in order of ripening. As well as the labels, maintain a simple record book as each cultivar is used up. There is only one way to tell when a fruit is at its best—that is to try one. As you work, keep a candle burning on the floor of the fruit store. If it gutters, carbon dioxide levels will be too high, so go out and get some fresh air.…

‘Two works display Orpen’s extraordinary ability and master of light’ WILLIAM ORPEN was a wizard who revelled in his ability to capture the play of light, rejoicing in its multiple manifestations. This is clear from the choice, yet varied selection of his paintings and drawings in the current small, but well-selected exhibition at the Watts Gallery. At the time of his death in 1904, G. F. Watts was one of the most famous artists in the world, before the reaction set in and his work was consigned for a period to the dustbin of history —so he would have sympathised with the trajectory of Orpen’s reputation from stardom to neglect. Watts once wrote perceptively to Walter Crane that he regarded ‘extravagant contemporary estimates as a very bad omen for the…

That objects may not be quite what they seem and stories not exactly as they are told is an attraction of art dealing to someone such as Oliver Hoare. The coming and going of a crown lightly scratched on a silver apple will have increased its interest for him. The apple was part of an elaborate pomander—and, thanks to the catalogue, I now know that the word comes from pomme d’ambre, amber apple. It opened to reveal a silver skull that itself opened on a miniature of Christ releasing souls from Limbo. It was inscribed ‘A.D. 1628. From Man Came Woman From Woman Came Sin From Sin Came Death’ and, until removed in the mid 20th century by Mrs How, the eminent silver dealer, there was also a crown and…

The Boy In The Dress David Walliams’s novel about an unusual 12 year old adapted with songs by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers. Until March 8, 2020, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon (01789 331111) Candida Shaw’s shapeliest play about a woman torn between her clerical husband and poetic admirer. Until January 11, 2020, at the Orange Tree, Richmond (020–8940 3633) The Wind of Heaven Will Maynard directs Emlyn Williams’s play about the relocation of Christ’s birth to a Welsh village. Until December 21, at the Finborough, SW10 (020–7244 7439)…

The Hampstead Butcher & Providore Meat is front and centre at this shop, which holds butchery and sausage-making classes, but the deli counter is well stocked with cheeses, olives and oven-ready dishes, too (56, Rosslyn Hill, NW3) Maud & Mabel This idiosyncratic shop stocks ceramics, clothing, woodwork and jewellery that share a pure, pared-down aesthetic inspired by Japanese design (10, Perrin’s Court, NW3) Catto Gallery Specialising in contemporary art, Catto features works by many leading artists, but also carries a selection of emerging talent for those who prefer the thrill of a new discovery (100, Heath Street, NW3)…

THE ISLAND Open-plan living and kitchen spaces work best with elements that infuse structure into the rooms. The island is the glue that holds the bustling kitchen together, acting as a soft buffer. It is the natural centre of the room, to which everyone in the open-plan space gravitates. THE MAGIC TRIANGLE People will often remark on how easy they find cooking in kitchens where the islands have an integrated hob or sink. The reason usually has to do with your movements within the kitchen becoming shorter and more agile among the three main focus points: the sink, the hob and the fridge. This mighty trinity is the base for what kitchen designers call kitchen triangulation. It is proven that, when the distances between the three mean that you…

ON the first day of Christmas, London caterer Peardrop London gave to me the Moveable Feast Collection-a festive, feasting table of homemade sweet and savoury canapés, for work or home (www.peardroplondon.com). On the second day of Christmas, Columbia Road Flower Market gave to me late-night shopping and carols on December 4, 11 and 18 (www.columbiaroad.info). On the third day of Christmas, Brick Lane gave to me The London Artisan’s Winter Edition market, perfect for handmade, organic and sustainable gifts, on December 21–22 (www.thelondonartisan.com). On the fourth day of Christmas, The Berkeley Hotel gave to me winter rooftop cinema screenings of Home Alone and The Holiday (www.the-berkeley.co.uk). On the fifth day of Christmas, Hotel Café Royal gave to me Diptyque’s table-decoration workshops, with Champagne and canapés, on December 9 and 16…

Inés, only daughter of Count and Countess Rafael de Cominges of Madrid, Spain, married Comte François du Chastel de la Howarderie, middle son of Comte and Comtesse Tanneguy du Chastel de la Howarderie of Paris, France, last month, at St Xavier Church Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Inés and François are travelling until the New Year and are looking forward to working together at François’s shoe company, Chatelles.…

A CONTROVERSIAL cockerel will be returned home to Nigeria more than 120 years after it was stolen from the Court of Benin by British troops, says the University of Cambridge. The Benin cockerel is part of a collection of some 1,000 13th-century and later bronzes that were looted from the royal palace in 1897. It has resided at Jesus College, Cambridge, since 1930, but was removed from public view three years ago—University of Cambridge students have long campaigned for its return to Africa, with the backing of Nigerian Prince Edun Akenzua, the great-grandson of Oba (king) Ovoramwen, from whose kingdom the bronzes were originally taken. The cockerel’s return is a small step, but a potential catalyst; the British Museum holds many more Benin bronzes, as do other museums around the…

Quiz of the week 1) How many countries are currently members of the Commonwealth? 2) Which mischievous Norse god has been played by Tom Hiddleston in recent Marvel Comics films? 3) The leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis are used to produce which beverage? 4) The 1954 novel Lord of the Flies was written by which author? 5) In which decade did Man last walk on the Moon? Riddle me this The more there is of me, the less you see. What am I? Time to buy Unmissable events Exhibition Until March 22, 2020 ‘Painting by the Thames: Swan Upping at Cookham’ ( below ), Stanley Spencer Gallery, Maidenhead, Berkshire. A collection of paintings and drawings focusing on Spencer’s inspiration, the River Thames, as well as marking the…

Large multiples are under pressure to hit price points (to use the hideous jargon). This pressure has intensified recently, with the Brexit-induced fall of the pound, and supermarkets, aware of somewhat pinched pockets, have taken quite a bit of this on the chin, squeezing margins rather than significantly raising prices. They deserve great credit and still achieve minor miracles (see, at different ends of the scale, Waitrose and Lidl passim). Some wine merchants, however, have an admirable confidence that their customers will trust them to pick exceptional wines without thinking first, second and third about price. Why you should be buying them I’ve mentioned the admirable Davy’s Wine Merchants before (it’s part of the same family company that runs the excellent Davy’s wine bars in London) and how its…

Jon Snow is chairman of The Heart of England Forest (www. heartofenglandforest.com) and wrote the foreword to British Forests: The Forestry Commission 1919-1920 (Profile Editions) Where is your favourite place in Britain? Walbury Hill, Berkshire What is your favourite building? Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire Music? Dido’s Lament (Purcell) Holiday? Wellfleet, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA Alternative career? Watercolourist Who is your hero? Maya Angelou, author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings…

CHRISTMAS is foodie heaven in most homes, and while we are spoiling ourselves with lots of delicious festive treats and snacks, it’s worth thinking about making some for your dog too so that it doesn’t feel left out. More importantly, it’s great to have a jar of doggy treats around so no one is tempted to give your beloved pet things that are meant for humans, such as mince pies, fruit cake, grapes and chocolate, which are all bad for dogs. Also, some human treats (particularly cheese and ham) tend to be high in fat, which could bring on a bout of pancreatitis in your poor dog. The delicious aroma of these Christmas tree treats will have everyone salivating, and the cinnamon content is full of nutritional benefits for your…

• Goldeneye was the code name of a wartime operation in which Fleming was heavily involved • His spy creation’s name was found on the cover of Fleming’s ‘Jamaican bible’, A Field Guide to the Birds of the West Indies by ornithologist James Bond • The 00 prefix denotes top-secret signals and dates back to Elizabethan times, when messages to the Queen were marked ‘For Your Eyes Only’ • Upon completing Casino Royale, Fleming placed an order with the Royal Typewriter Company for a gold-plated version of its Quiet de Luxe model, priced at $174 (about £140) • He wrote 12 novels, plus two collections of short stories in Jamaica…

Phoebe Bath picks a picture-perfect cottage in five of the UK’s other National Parks • Dartmoor The two-bedroom, thatched April Cottage combines rustic Devon style with a French twist (www.boutiqueretreats.co.uk; 01872 553491) • Pembrokeshire Coast Castell Farmhouse promises sea views and solitude. It has three bedrooms and sits on a headland overlooking Fishguard Bay (0344 800 2070; www.nationaltrust.org.uk) • Northumberland At Springwell Cottage, you’ll be a neighbour of Hadrian’s Wall. The former workers’ cottage is surrounded by wildlife and has three bedrooms (0344 800 2070; www. nationaltrust.org.uk) • Yorkshire Dales Fountains Cottage, in North Yorkshire, has four bedrooms and is protected by a picturesque cloak of ivy (0344 800 2070; www.nationaltrust.org.uk) • Cairngorms Magnificence personified: the eight-bedroom Kincraig House is part of the Dunachton Estate—a perfect base for exploring the…

‘Sow is one of the mildest, sweetest pigs ever; boar is bigger, a gentleman and a scholar’ WE had pigs once, a pair of merry little ginger weaners who darted about the orchard on points, or pettitoes, scrumping windfalls and grunting cheerfully at our approach. They slipped almost imperceptibly past the porker stage and, at some pre-arranged signal, well on their way to becoming baconers at nine months, they grew quite suddenly into bristly Chesterfield sofas with a capacity for shrugging gates off their hinges. When eventually we sent them off, several disastrous consequences ensued. The orchard was a shell-hole; the sides came back slightly too fat; I spoiled the bacon cure; and Harry became a functioning vegetarian. Pigs in other words, were not A Success. But, you know…