As I put pen to paper, an early spring (though inevitably a false dawn) put thoughts of holidays into my mind and indeed to book holidays to visit narrow gauge railways and attend sporting events or concerts. Armed with English Heritage and National Trust memberships I have compiled a list of halls, castles and gardens which have been too long in waiting to be ticked off. There are places in the world at large as well which I wouldn’t mind setting off for, though as many lands that I wouldn’t set foot in – where the governmental system seems best steered well clear of, whose food makes me gag at
