WTF-Beta

Looking on Amazon that's an interesting book you authored. MrsA likes knitting squares for patchwork and will love it (a forthcoming anniversary gift).

Here's her craft/knitting books, which again I can't imagine on kindle

Talking to a brother in law last week, we realised we are often the only people in a collar shirt (when not at work).
I went to a busy local food festival last weekend and everyone else was in t-shirts.

I need to make a list of places to see in Japan when we visit our daughter there

I reckon a kindle could work for novels and autobiographical works, humorous works and travel guides.

But some subjects almost demand a quality paper with colour photographs, or b&w illustrations.

E.g. Netsuke, art, crafts

Or gardening books to dip into for ideas and information

Thank you wtg, yes.
Like it a lot, could move in, but immediately remove most of the central lampshades.
And those three orbs above the kitchen island 🤪 (very Dr Who or Mysterons or something like that).

Or for roughly the same price in the Cotswolds here,
https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gblhralac240195

Wtg, I can't view the link .

Here's a nice little place in the country
(Daniel, plenty of space for your piano)
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2575-Weeks-Hill-Rd-Stowe-VT-05672/227731501_zpid/

The Steps of Montmatre is a lovely shot, and yet it may be the least interesting!

At my work the university library had a few shelves of photography 'coffee table' books within an extensive art book collection. Among them, the works of Beaton, Bresson, Adams, Capa, Ray, Mapelthorpe, Leibovitz, Bailey, and I remember Brassai too.

Ansel Adams was my favourite at the time, yet modern digital medium format makes his art photography easy-ish.
I now best love the old street scene photographs, a la Brassai, capturing a moment in b&w. A cafe, things like a smokey jazz joint, or life on a farm pre-tractor.

It works well

When house hunting have you factored in a suitable room?
A room with door to isolate and in which you can put one or two dehumidifiers for maintenance.
With an area/wall that is well lit but not in direct sunlight, and has power sockets.

Unconstrained, Stuart & Sons full size are probably the best if you have £200k and a room/house large enough to accommodate its qualities.

However we compromise.
We set a reasonable price and have a reasonable sized home space; then you may combine those factors with the quality & longevity of an instrument that would enable you to learn to grade 8, and suddenly 'best piano' is a very different tool.

Probably something like Yamaha U3. New they are £10k, a little used in excellent condition maybe £5k. Or the smaller U1 about £8k new...

Regarding European pianos, they are all pricey; Bechstein, Bluthner and Bosendorfer are first class. Grotrian and Sauter follow close.
Steinway prices are ridiculous, £60k for an upright?
Are they made better than Bechstein?
Do they sound nicer than a Bluthner?

My advice, first sample Yamaha & Kawai and hopefully you will enjoy their sound and find a size that suits.

I'd love to see a photo of a bear in your back garden !

Same problem for farmers in UK, we are the worst hit 1st World Economy apparently.
The daily cost of agricultural pink diesel is ruinous.

My parents joined a book club, and the folio society book club, and an art prints club. But each for only a couple of years. I think it was part of their being/becoming middle class, continuing education in the 1960-80's. Had a full set of Winston's autobiography, set of Encyclopaedia Brittanica for us to refer to.

We've never bothered, I guess as we were given the education. And we'd rather get exactly what we want, despite the large range offered last time I saw a book club advertised.
I used to 'borrow' audio books free from the local library.

Lovely shade of green. If cut how long will they last in a vase?

Beautiful day here

Looking N/N.W over golden fields of oil-seed-rape, from Kirk Merrington

And N/NE with Durham Cathedral Towers just visible above the centre of the white building

Instead do some window shopping at a place I purposely divert to when walking in London:

https://www.bentley-skinner.co.uk/?s=Pendant

https://www.bentley-skinner.co.uk/faberge/

Couple of weeks ago, a beautiful sapphire and diamond bracelet in their window caught my eye, made probably early 1900s. No price on things in window.
Their website is brilliant: searched bracelets, sapphire, high to low. It came sixth at £24.5k

https://www.bentley-skinner.co.uk/bracelets/
Hope I've distracted you enough

You do right; firstly as you ought to get yourself settled in your new home for a while to see how your finances pan out, secondly because you'll never sell jewellery unless things are dire and so it's never an investment to anyone but your children/inheritor, and thirdly for me the piece is being valued on the magical faberge name when in truth it's a bit plain & an unusual style for a pendant.

Very nice, location too, near Rutland Water, Stamford and the A1. I'd buy it.
Seen the price?
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/174128729#/?channel=RES_BUY