The start of a new collection...

I fell in love with the graphics on the box of this Viewmaster and had to get it. Watching Toy Story I was reminded of how many classic toys are out there and this is certainly in the top 10. With one disk for it (historical site in Somerset, my county of residience) I will be working on building up this collection. The stereoscopic effect remains impressive even in this age of far more advanced technology.

70% and up

Willie Harcourt-Cooze may be on a marketing blitz but after trying his 72% chocolate it is a case of believe the hype. The three part documentary/advertorial on Channel 4 showed how he had problems getting the wrapping machine to work, so it was kind of cool to see how indeed the bar hand been hand wrapped.

Cwtch Coffee

Last week I received an e-mail from regular correspondent Tom. He sent me a fascinating link about a chap he knew who had combined his love for his Citroen H model van and his passion for coffee. The Cwtch (the Welsh for hug) Coffee story is the type of thing that really gets me excited; the combination of quirky and passion that is seen through with an infectious enthusiasm is a winner in my eyes. So it was with amazement on Saturday that whilst in London for the day I got out of a taxi on Marylebone High Street at the Cabbages and Frocks Market to have the Cwtch Van right there in front of me. It is with total honesty I can joyfully report that both the coffee and cakes are divine.

Guilty as charged

In Store

Valerie Weill and Philippe Chancel's "In Store" series of photography books have me hooked. Through their lens the mundane, functional and almost invisible shops demonstrate that they can offer as much intrigue and suprises as the most luxurious and opulent shops. As an added bonus you can pick these up on Amazon Marketplace for less than the cost of their postage.