The debonair Basil Marigold's

It is without doubt a very personal list, these things by their nature must be. Yet, 6 years ago the Guardian published an article here  by a journalist who listed what he believed to be the 10 best book shops in the world. It is as I've mentioned, a truly variable love and one man's goose...etc.  The point is that I have now visited the bookshop that stands proudly at number 6 in the list. Scarthin books in the Peak District (Cromford to be exact, geographically!). I had never been before until a few weeks ago. My wife took me, she is aware I have predilection for book shops (of any variety, unless of course, Cheryl Cole opens a shop only selling her books). I have visited very many in my life so far and indeed, I plan to visit an awful lot more in search of the continual bargain that needs to be be bought and brought home with me, as its new owner.  I have, however, become more disciplined with my book buying. It really has to be something 'exceptional', as opp

My, Poirot, novel reading challenge is going well after what has been a fruitful period in the month of March. I have managed to read from, Dumb Witness to Hercule Poirot's christmas. (in total 4 books so far, read from the 4th to the 20th March. I know this because my chronological list is dated when they are read. Yep, it's that methodical (or anorak-ish) depending on your opinion about lists. I may, just may be able to shoe horn number 5 in before the end of march (perhaps, if I'm being wildly ambitious, 6?). However, March has been the most productive reading month since I started! It has also meant I have come to a major milestone. The half way point in my challenge! Hercule Poirot's christmas was number 17 of the 34 I am too read. I have managed to read a christmas story with Easter coming up on the horizon. But the joy of reaching the half way line has resulted in quite a euphoric feeling (I am not focusing on the fact that I have another 17 books to go, for e

Until this past weekend. I had in 37 years, visited 18 World Heritage sites. It is more than I thought, though looking at the list I realise that it is also not quite enough to be happy with. Last saturday, however, I turned this number into 19. Strangely enough, the site was only 16 miles from the front door, in the rolling dales of Derbyshire. I have lived, 'up north' for nearly 14 years now and yet, for some reason had never visited, Cromford Mills, before. I guess the location (didn't drive before I got married), lack of buses, company, etc all meant that I never really explored off of the main bus routes and to be honest I tended to go away more often than I do now, abroad, mainly, Italy, really Rome, the most beautiful city in the world. The one place I love the most.  So, on Saturday, with the family in tow we headed out into the rural beauty that is Derby. We went past mine and my sons favourite Derbyshire attraction, Crich Tramway Museum. As we pulled into