Thermopylae, where the Spartans made themselves immortal
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 480 BC the battle of Thermopylae took place. A narrow pass some fifty miles north of Athens, at this spot, a small force... Read More
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Classic Commonplace book
Flowers Commonplace book
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On This Day
with audio
Mozart’s lavatory humour
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1787, Mozart completed his Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, one of his most delightful pieces. By its tone, it must have been written when the... Read More
Philip Larkin, poet of low expectations
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1922 Philip Larkin, poet, writer and librarian was born. Dubbed the poet of low expectations, he once said that deprivation was to... Read More
Poetry Blog
The New PCL Commonplace Book Has Arrived
The original book – Poetry Changes Lives – was inspired by the author’s commonplace book – that he was given at school. He has used... Read More
Poetry Therapy for the Inner Child
When Paul Gauguin painted his famous masterpiece ‘D’où Venons Nous / Que Sommes Nous / Où Allons Nous’ (Where Do We Come From, What... Read More
William Dalrymple, Historian, Presenter and Chronicler of Djinns, Jains and Jesus (and so much more)
The genial yet commanding figure of William Dalrymple has been a regular feature of the wonderfully unique Beyond Borders International Festival at Traquair House, Innerleithen... Read More