The cherry blossom is one of the quite commonly recognisable symbols of Japan. As someone with a long-term interest in Japanese culture, I was impressed by a well-manicured cherry tree in blossom that I spotted in a garden a couple of days ago while walking the dog. Someone really had put some effort over the years into shaping the tree…
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I don’t know about you but my knowledge of shepherding is next to nothing. The last time I came across a flock of sheep was in 1 BC (before Covid) when I was walking in the hills. The encounter was literally fleeting as the sheep ran away at the very sight of me. Based on my superficial knowledge of sheep…
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Twists and turns are essential means for creating captivating literature and dramas. Linear and predictable plots make bland reading or watching. But those twists and turns have to be believable; otherwise, they are as bad as the lack of them. The four gospels are certainly full of twists and turns. We don’t notice them anymore because we are very familiar…
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What is it? A £20 Scottish banknote. What is it worth? That’s a daft question, isn’t it? Obviously, it’s worth 20 pounds! Well, it’s a bit more complicated. Take this note outside the UK and it’s worth absolutely nothing, as I learnt first-hand whilst abroad. In itself, this is just a piece of plastic sheet with some patterns printed on both…
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Have you ever flown a plane? I’m not asking whether you have ever been a passenger on a plane; that would be quite a daft question as over the last couple of decades air travel has become almost as common as any other means of travel. Have you ever piloted a plane? I have. Flying has been one of my…