Another month, another 31 days of insanity on the world stage. Trump’s administration continues to chip away at US democracy, clamping down on free speech, implementing destructive tariffs, and committing heinous crimes of deportation. All while telling us the opposite in perfect, Orwellian double-speak.
On a personal level, lots more interesting experiences.
We had a really lovely trip to Salts Mill in fabulous Saltaire. An incredible Victorian industrial complex, the main mill is a lasting memorial to Titus Salt who built the whole village for his workforce. Although overtones of a god-complex, there is no doubting the quality and beauty of the resulting architecture. Saved from demolition, the mill is now an art gallery housing an every changing collection of David Hockney works, plus lots of other arty stuff.
I spent a couple of days in Dublin with work, a city with a real buzz. The low corporate tax rate is a bit of a cheap trick, but it clearly works with big tech company logos everywhere. There is a real mix of old and new, with some magnificent architecture. It was a Friday of a Six Nations weekend, so full of French rugby fans making the most of the available Guinness.
A charity event saw us take a dip in the White Wells, a damp, draughty Victorian plunge pool on Ilkley Moor. It was the most beautiful weather of the year so far, with magnificent views across the Wharfe Valley. We took our bracing plunge by pushing in front of the waiting local MP as we had an urgent kids tennis lesson to attend.
Another work trip, this time up to Edinburgh, a city I love but have not visited for years. Met up with an old friend and had a good laugh over beers while watching Newcastle win the League Cup.
Books read this month: