Why whisky and walking makes for a wonderful weekend July 29, 2021 Whisky conjures images of smouldering log fires or grand old houses in the Scottish highlands. But two London-based whisky enthusiasts hope to make new associations, including leafy green parks and trendy shopping neighbourhoods. Karen Taylor and Matt Chambers, the founders of the Whisky For Everyone blog, have launched North London Whisky Club walking tours, with three events [...]
Green and pleasant land? The future of cannabis use in the UK July 29, 2021 Smoking as a social activity suffered a heavy blow around 15 years ago. Between 2006 and 2007, the four parts of the United Kingdom brought in new laws prohibiting smoking in public places, with Scotland being the first to take the leap. I bear a sliver of responsibility: I worked for the House of Commons [...]
Sundance London review: The Sparks Brothers is Edgar Wright’s love letter to music July 29, 2021 In another universe, Edgar Wright should be working on his third Ant-Man movie. It’s seven years since his departure from the Marvel film due to ‘creative differences’, in which time he has made three movies – car chase hit Baby Driver, the upcoming Last Night In Soho, and this week’s critically adored music doc The [...]
How to celebrate ‘Black Tot Day’ with a special rum July 29, 2021 You can either celebrate or mourn 31 July, see it as a day of thanksgiving or a day of grieving. This Saturday marks the 51st anniversary of what some have called “a barbaric act by government”: it is the anniversary of the last rum ration given to Royal Navy sailors serving on British ships. However [...]
Along came a Spider: Drop-top McLaren 765LT supercar breaks cover July 28, 2021 The new, limited-run McLaren 765LT Spider promises a 205mph head-rush, with ferocious performance and a retractable carbon fibre roof.
Franciacorta: The hidden gem of Italian sparkling wine July 28, 2021 When you think of Italian sparkling wine what springs to mind? Prosecco? Maybe an Asti? Probably not your new Italian favourite, Franciacorta. Franciacorta is named for the region it comes from, nestled in the heart of Lombardy, in a beautiful natural amphitheatre of green rolling hills bordering Lago d’Iseo and just an hour from fashionable [...]
Jungle Cruise is a silly but entertaining Disney adventure July 28, 2021 Musclebound A-lister Dwayne Johnson has made his name in the movie business by making hits from unlikely source material. Reviving the Fast and Furious, GI Joe, and Jumanji franchises, his face alone is enough to make hits out of dodgy propositions. Skyscraper, San Andreas, arcade game adaptation Rampage: the list goes on. Can he work [...]
The Two Character Play at Hampstead Theatre reinvigorates Tennessee Williams’ late work July 28, 2021 There’s something comforting about the way Hampstead Theatre, always a bastion for experimental works that tease at the boundaries of mainstream theatre, has emerged from the pandemic. At a time when the pressure to stick on something that’s guaranteed to fill seats must be overwhelming, it instead decided to revive a tricky series of plays [...]
Wine and cheese pairing is an art: Here’s what the experts say July 27, 2021 There are so many National Something-Or-Other days that you could be forgiven for having overlooked Sunday’s celebration of Wine and Cheese Day. Walthamstow’s new online drinks marketplace Hometipple marked the occasion by coming up with a series of exciting cheese and wine pairings, including Hungarian Etyeki Kuria Pinot Noir with aged Berkswell from Warwickshire. “Hometipple [...]
The £46,250 Toyota Corolla: cult-classic AE86 smashes auction record July 27, 2021 A one-owner 1987 Toyota Corolla GT has sold for a staggering £46,250 at auction. But what makes this AE86 model so sought-after?