Tolkien and GCHQ
This blog started with some short stories inspired by the writing of J. R. R. Tolkien and so it is fitting that it ends with a word about the master as well. This week, The Daily Telegraph reported that Tolkien trained as a spy just before World War II.Tolkien, one of his generation's most respected linguists, was ''earmarked'' to crack Nazi codes in the event that Germany declared war.Intelligence chiefs singled him and a 'cadre' of other intellectuals to work at Bletchley Park, the codebreaking centre in Buckinghamshire.The full story

Sigrid Charlotte Wiswe (1960 - 2001)
Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of the 11th September attacks on the World Trade Center. I am taking part in an on-line act of remembrance for the victims. Project 2996 allocates a person to volunteers to remember however they will. This year,

The colour red causes trouble for Quins again
Well, better late than never. Last weekend, the rugby season got off to a start. Harlequins played Wasps at Twickenham stadium, just over the road from the Stoop, in the London double header. The second game was Saracens (now more commonly called Saffacens due to the new South African owner and influx of South African players) versus London Irish. It was a poor game with L. Irish looking particularly rusty.To give the Irish their due, while they ended the first half at least a couple of tries down, they did mount quite a fightback in the second. Unfortunately, the gap proved just a little too big and Sarries held on for the win. This weekend, Saracens play N

Yum, yum, yum yum!