Stark contrast

In which G.M. Norton is happy just to get through the week.

In my first ever periodical post back on 8^th September 2012, I described my little slice of the interweb as “a safe refuge, an air raid shelter or bunker if you will”, a little escapism away from what’s happening in the world.

Well, it’s been difficult to escape the horror of Monday night’s terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena. For those that don’t know, I reside in Manchester. I was born here and I’m proud to still call it home.

Manchester responded in typical defiant fashion, so I’m going to follow suit and carry on regardless. Which means waffling on about the weather and clothes.

Review: James McCabe Watches

In which G.M. Norton adds a real beauty to his growing collection of watches.

Until very recently, my watch collection consisted of diver, field and chronograph watches but for somebody that tries to put an effort into what I wear, I was bereft of a dress watch. Thankfully, James McCabe Watches came to my rescue, who sent me a watch from their Heritage line.

What I particularly like about James McCabe Watches are that they're assembled in the UK. Given that a made in Britain watch would today cost thousands and thousands of pounds, a watch assembled here in Blightly is the next best thing.

Given the choice of any watch from their site, after a good day or so umming and ahhing, I settled on this beauty.

Long Live Victoria!

In which G.M. Norton possesses a piece of Victorian history.

As I've rambled on in previous periodical entries, I have a particular fondness for the Victorian era.

It all began poring over Sherlock Holmes stories, which then led to reading about real-life crimes from Jack the Ripper and Dr Crippen (Holmes writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle attended his trial).

Rampley & Co have recently released a new collection of pocket squares, based on pieces from the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Big Smoke.

On film: Million Pound Note

In which G.M. Norton enjoys an old classic.

A little while ago, I mentioned the delights of Talking Pictures TV, a television channel in Blighty that shows classic film fayre from yesteryear (I’m quite proud of that little rhyme).

As a midweek treat, on Wednesday evening I enjoyed watching a film that I’d recorded, the early 1950's film The Million Pound Note (released as Man with a Million in the US). I have fond memories of watching this as a child (thank you, mother) so it was a treat to watch it again. 

Gregory Peck is an American, who arrives in England by accident, after a spot of bother at sea. He is penniless, with only the ragged clothes on his back, but with a willingness to find gainful employment.