How to write a lockdown novel – from a man who did just that November 4, 2020 Thierry Macquet, a Mauritian ex-at living in London, found himself stranded on the paradise island of his childhood when coronavirus rampaged across the globe. To stay sane, he decided to write a lockdown novel, Messages From an Adventurous Ancestor. Here’s how he did it, and some advice on how you can do the same as [...]
We’re shaken and stirred in 007’s new Land Rover Defender November 3, 2020 We drive one of the Land Rover stunt cars from No Time to Die, then sample the new Defender 90 on and off the road.
Four Italian wines to help get you through lockdown November 3, 2020 On the day we ordinarily congregate to celebrate the foiling of Guy Fawkes’ infamous gunpowder plot, we will instead be locked inside wondering how our government has Fawked things up so much. Referring to himself by Italian version of his name, Guido, Fawkes was inspired by his tour of the continent and indeed Italy. How [...]
Plan a post-lockdown escape at the stunning Sopwell House in St Albans November 2, 2020 THE WEEKEND: Serious me-time in the UK’s first private member’s spa, handily attached to luxury country house hotel Sopwell House. You can spend the entire weekend in a dressing gown without skipping the gourmet food, stylish surroundings and decent cocktail menu every suitably indulgent weekend break needs – especially after another month of being confined [...]
How to make the most of the last pre-lockdown days, from a US election party pack to a prohibition jazz night November 2, 2020 During any other year, this would have been among the busiest weeks of the social calendar. Halloween parties would have spilled into US election parties, which would have led into Bonfire night, and before you know it, the weekend is upon you again. Instead, we have the bleak prospect of yet another lockdown. But try [...]
A Scottish expedition: Falling in love with the Hebrides November 2, 2020 “Do you want to head for the shark or the dolphins?” As questions go, it’s not a bad one. In the distance to the right of us, the two fins of an 8-metre basking shark wobble gently from side to side as the extraordinary creature gorges on krill. To the left, coming closer, the tell-tale [...]
What Nutshell’s Mohammad Paknejad has learned from Covid October 31, 2020 Who are you and what do you do? I am Mohammad Paknejad, director of Nutshell, a modern Iranian Restaurant in Covent Garden. My wife, Marwa Alkhalaf and I have been operating the restaurant since we opened last July. How are things? The last six months have changed a lot at Nutshell. It’s our first restaurant, [...]
Fun in the age of Covid: How to enjoy Halloween weekend October 30, 2020 While coronavirus continues to scupper all but the most determined of fun-seekers, the London cultural scene is largely just getting on with things as best it can. In this new regular column, we fill you in on the the ever-changing restrictions and give you a list of ways to spend a perfect, Covid-safe Halloween Weekend. [...]
Don’t panic: Verbier will open its slopes today October 30, 2020 This may have been among the worst years in living memory, but at least Verbs is open for business. The famous Verbier ski-resort, the slopes of choice for City bankers and Sloane Rangers alike, will open today, despite surging Swiss Covid cases. This, coupled with today’s news that UK travellers will no longer have to [...]
Mogul Mowgli review: Riz Ahmed shines in timely rap drama October 29, 2020 There’s something joyous about seeing a star let loose in a passion project after a long period in Hollywoodland. Mogul Mowgli’s co-writer, producer and star Riz Ahmed revels in the project, putting in a performance that stands as one of his best. He plays Zed, a British-Pakistani rapper living in New York where his music [...]
