Fissure king....

Mr G recently visited the Shibboleth 'installation' at the Tate Modern gallery in London.

Not usually a fan of the arty 'i-word' (to Mr G, 'installation' means a new back boiler), he found himself hugely enjoying this zig-zagging fissure in the floor of the vast turbine hall.

He says: 'The brochure spoke of deep meanings connected to notions of boundaries, exclusion, imperialism and goodness-knows-what.

' Whatever! I simply relished the way it broke down barriers between complete strangers - everyone was talking. Good crack.'

Sing out!

Mr Gnome urges Midlands-based music lovers to head for the Songlines Winter Concert on Saturday 15 December.

Led by the inspirational and extremely tall Bruce Knight (above), two enthusiastic a capella choirs will join forces to perform songs from the USA, Africa, New Zealand, Bulgaria, France and Scotland.

• Where? All Saints Parish Church, Leamington Spa
• When? 8.00pm / Saturday 15 December
  
• How much? £5 (adults), £3 (children)
  
• In aid of WaterAid

Bruce's groups are community choirs. The singers learn by listening and repeating: no printed music, no tickings-off, massive amounts of energizing fun.

E-mail Mr Gnome for more info....

Mr G admires vicars with vim...

Outgoing Mr Gnome relishes encounters with HBs (Human Beings) of all types and backgrounds - even Anglican clergypersons.



One of his favourites from that (occasionally) exotic fraternity/sorority is the Rev Steve Tilley.

Original, thoughtful and kind, Mr Tilley offers something rare in today's church: platitude-free ministry.

Mr G is quietly in awe of the Rev Steve, who is an experienced and often inspired (well, he should be, shouldn't he?) blogger. More than that, he's a tip-top writer.

Enter the wholly splendid world of this remarkable gentleman via Mustard Seed Shavings.

Be warned, Mr T occasionally provokes.

But as Mr Gnome remarks: 'And why not? Beige is so, so No...."

Mr G says: 'Hurrah for Oxfam!'

Mr G's resident HB (Human Being) lives in a trendy block of flats with a communal area for garbage dumping.

The HB popped down to the rubbish store recently to deposit some, er, rubbish.

A glance into one of the bins revealed this treasure trove of nearly-new belts, bags and shoes.

They are now on sale at the nearby Oxfam Shop.

How smug did the HB feel to receive the gratitude of the assembled Oxfam shop ladies?

Very.

'Hurrah for re-cycling,' says Mr G.

Adding a crisp 'Tsk!' in the general direction of a shoe-shedding fashionista with more money than sense.

Nosebag for an Oxonian gnome

While Mr G's academic achievements are a closely guarded secret, his love for the ancient city of Oxford is not.

He's a frequent visitor and usually finds that he has time to ascend to his favourite local cafe, The Nosebag, tucked away up a steep flight of stairs on St Michael's Street.

Mr G likes the informal cafeteria-style servery. The healthy salads and substantial main dishes remind him of his heyday in the 1970s - as do the chunky crockery and no-nonsense decor.

Pictured is his absolute fave: the lemon cheesecake. Generous portions, or what?

Mr G is NOT a fan of the minimalist slice on the large plate with the arty swirl of coulis.

'Oh, please....' he murmurs, eyes rolling heavenwards.

The cafe is popular with students and dons, affording splendid opportunities to 'listen in' as one munches. Mr G has turned a discreetly sympathetic ear to many anguished outpourings re the state of Phyllida's PhD or Giles's overdue essay on metaphysical poetry....

Three rumbustious cheers for The Nosebag.

Gnome Modern

Having relished the Betjeman extravaganza, Mr G nipped to one of his favourite London eateries: Café 2 at the Tate Modern art gallery.

This is a tip-top, moderately priced place to meet for lunch. Super menu. Friendly, speedy service and a busy, buzzy atmosphere. Totally family friendly.

Knockout views over the river, of course.

Naturally, if you're Mr G you have to put up with a wee bit of papparazzo attention.

Actually, we spotted a literary celeb-ette during the short wait for our first course: Nick High Fidelity Hornby.

You can't beat a good celeb-spot when you're out in the capital.

Mr G gives this splendid venue three loud Hurrahs.

St P and Sir John B impress Mr G

On a flying visit to the capital today Mr G took a detour to view the renewed, restored St Pancras station - and to view the newly unveiled statue of Sir John Betjeman, the work of Martin Jennings.

Smashing marriage of sculpture to place, creating a thrilling sense of wonder and delight as we are invited to share Betjeman's joy at this amazing, glorious space.

Sentimental? Possibly. Theatrical? Definitely.

But nothing wrong with that.

Mr G is a big fan of the bold, generous gesture.

He gives ten out of ten.

Hurrah!