RattleBag and Rhubarb

A Better Class of Train

The two-forty-five express — Paddington to Market Blandings, first stop Oxford—stood at its piatform with that air of well-bred reserve…

4 days ago

The Reverse Ferret and the Vicar of Bray

Changing your mind is perfectly normal—and often essential. After all, it’s what education is all about - updating your thoughts…

2 weeks ago

The Day Trip

One childhood ritual during the days between Christmas and the return to school was the day trip to London. The…

2 weeks ago

Wayward and The Turning Tide

“That woman is pursued by demons,” Wally Brigley, the Board chair, declared as he settled into Tim Endibel’s office, plonked…

3 weeks ago

Seasonal Cheer at Wayward Academy

“You look about as festive as a radish sandwich,” Midge had said. And she wasn’t wrong—Tim Endibel, co-head of Wayward…

4 weeks ago

Train to Nowhere

"We were young and we were keen; Europe was in flames, and we were ready for whatever came."  “I used…

1 month ago

A Bonfire in the Dark

When I was in the emergency room last year having busted my elbow, a nurse asked whether I had ever…

3 months ago

Locked Out

Most of us have done it at some point or another - accidentally locked ourselves out of the house.  Raymond…

3 months ago

The #1970 Club: Germaine Greer and The Female Eunuch

Thanks to the #1970 Club, I've spent the spare moments of the past week immersed in The Female Eunuch and…

3 months ago

The #1970 Club: Language and Learning

The #1970 Club is starting tomorrow (October 14th) and I'm prepared with some reading and re-reading.  1970 offers a rich…

3 months ago