Junior Counsel
@juniorcounsel.bsky.social
Absolutely. My god, to read without joy is stupid.
Finished Flesh by Szalay on Monday. It is *so* readable and consuming.
I feel that there’s so much to unpick from it and I need to let it percolate a while, but my initial reaction is that István is a victim of child sex abuse, and that his life is consequently a tragic one.
#BookSky 📚
I feel that there’s so much to unpick from it and I need to let it percolate a while, but my initial reaction is that István is a victim of child sex abuse, and that his life is consequently a tragic one.
#BookSky 📚
December 24, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Finished Flesh by Szalay on Monday. It is *so* readable and consuming.
I feel that there’s so much to unpick from it and I need to let it percolate a while, but my initial reaction is that István is a victim of child sex abuse, and that his life is consequently a tragic one.
#BookSky 📚
I feel that there’s so much to unpick from it and I need to let it percolate a while, but my initial reaction is that István is a victim of child sex abuse, and that his life is consequently a tragic one.
#BookSky 📚
Feeling somewhat low in mood today. Really needed that final chapter of The Remains of the Day.
Ishiguro’s writing is such a pleasure to read. The kind of writing that people think they would wield if they ever write a book.
#BookSky 📚
Ishiguro’s writing is such a pleasure to read. The kind of writing that people think they would wield if they ever write a book.
#BookSky 📚
December 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Feeling somewhat low in mood today. Really needed that final chapter of The Remains of the Day.
Ishiguro’s writing is such a pleasure to read. The kind of writing that people think they would wield if they ever write a book.
#BookSky 📚
Ishiguro’s writing is such a pleasure to read. The kind of writing that people think they would wield if they ever write a book.
#BookSky 📚
Lover Kathy Burke’s memoir A Mind of My Own.
Golden nuggets like these aplenty.
Would like to have seen something on what Kathy’s been working on / involved with more recently (memoir ends early naughties really) but maybe there’s a sequel in the pipeline 😅
Great talent! #BookSky
Golden nuggets like these aplenty.
Would like to have seen something on what Kathy’s been working on / involved with more recently (memoir ends early naughties really) but maybe there’s a sequel in the pipeline 😅
Great talent! #BookSky
December 10, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Lover Kathy Burke’s memoir A Mind of My Own.
Golden nuggets like these aplenty.
Would like to have seen something on what Kathy’s been working on / involved with more recently (memoir ends early naughties really) but maybe there’s a sequel in the pipeline 😅
Great talent! #BookSky
Golden nuggets like these aplenty.
Would like to have seen something on what Kathy’s been working on / involved with more recently (memoir ends early naughties really) but maybe there’s a sequel in the pipeline 😅
Great talent! #BookSky
Went to Singburi last night.
Seven of us in the group, and, unbeknownst to us, we were the hungry guinea pigs for the restaurant to try out the delivery of a set menu for larger bookings.
They got it wrong in the sense they brought out *too much* food but they got it so right in every other way!
Seven of us in the group, and, unbeknownst to us, we were the hungry guinea pigs for the restaurant to try out the delivery of a set menu for larger bookings.
They got it wrong in the sense they brought out *too much* food but they got it so right in every other way!
November 28, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Went to Singburi last night.
Seven of us in the group, and, unbeknownst to us, we were the hungry guinea pigs for the restaurant to try out the delivery of a set menu for larger bookings.
They got it wrong in the sense they brought out *too much* food but they got it so right in every other way!
Seven of us in the group, and, unbeknownst to us, we were the hungry guinea pigs for the restaurant to try out the delivery of a set menu for larger bookings.
They got it wrong in the sense they brought out *too much* food but they got it so right in every other way!
1/ Finished Julian Barnes’ The Sense of an Ending yesterday.
I didn’t connect with (or like) Tony’s character / narration and I didn’t find the story as profound or enlightening as it attempts to be.
Angsty youth sends an immature, angry letter to an ex, which he later regrets 🤷♂️
#BookSky
I didn’t connect with (or like) Tony’s character / narration and I didn’t find the story as profound or enlightening as it attempts to be.
Angsty youth sends an immature, angry letter to an ex, which he later regrets 🤷♂️
#BookSky
November 24, 2025 at 10:07 AM
1/ Finished Julian Barnes’ The Sense of an Ending yesterday.
I didn’t connect with (or like) Tony’s character / narration and I didn’t find the story as profound or enlightening as it attempts to be.
Angsty youth sends an immature, angry letter to an ex, which he later regrets 🤷♂️
#BookSky
I didn’t connect with (or like) Tony’s character / narration and I didn’t find the story as profound or enlightening as it attempts to be.
Angsty youth sends an immature, angry letter to an ex, which he later regrets 🤷♂️
#BookSky
The view from our suite in Glencoe House is mesmerising. Feeling very fortunate and privileged (but also important to recognise a well-deserved treat).
I wish I could become a person who lives in a hotel for a several-month stint right now.
I wish I could become a person who lives in a hotel for a several-month stint right now.
November 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The view from our suite in Glencoe House is mesmerising. Feeling very fortunate and privileged (but also important to recognise a well-deserved treat).
I wish I could become a person who lives in a hotel for a several-month stint right now.
I wish I could become a person who lives in a hotel for a several-month stint right now.
I can probably lay claim to being the only barrister with a quotation from Keats’ work tattooed on their body (I don’t know where else it would be tattooed but cba to reconstruct this post).
Probably in for a shout of being the only person with a quotation from Keats’ work tattooed on their body.
Probably in for a shout of being the only person with a quotation from Keats’ work tattooed on their body.
November 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I can probably lay claim to being the only barrister with a quotation from Keats’ work tattooed on their body (I don’t know where else it would be tattooed but cba to reconstruct this post).
Probably in for a shout of being the only person with a quotation from Keats’ work tattooed on their body.
Probably in for a shout of being the only person with a quotation from Keats’ work tattooed on their body.
God, Keats, you’re crushingly poignant.
Winter Night, 1993, Richard Gorman
On a lone winter evening, when the frost has wrought a silence.
-- John Keats
On a lone winter evening, when the frost has wrought a silence.
-- John Keats
November 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
God, Keats, you’re crushingly poignant.
The Pierhouse in Port Appin was delectable, and the service was top-notch!
Whitebait so fresh and meaty. Oysters were whoppers and full of that sea-y, briney freshness. The lobster (grilled) was just divine!
Sides of autumn veg, hispi cabbage and chips also delicious.
#Restaurants #FoodSky
Whitebait so fresh and meaty. Oysters were whoppers and full of that sea-y, briney freshness. The lobster (grilled) was just divine!
Sides of autumn veg, hispi cabbage and chips also delicious.
#Restaurants #FoodSky
November 22, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The Pierhouse in Port Appin was delectable, and the service was top-notch!
Whitebait so fresh and meaty. Oysters were whoppers and full of that sea-y, briney freshness. The lobster (grilled) was just divine!
Sides of autumn veg, hispi cabbage and chips also delicious.
#Restaurants #FoodSky
Whitebait so fresh and meaty. Oysters were whoppers and full of that sea-y, briney freshness. The lobster (grilled) was just divine!
Sides of autumn veg, hispi cabbage and chips also delicious.
#Restaurants #FoodSky
1/ Finished reading Caradog Prichard’s One Moonlit Night (English translation) last night.
A captivating read; never quite sure whether you’re reading from the narrator’s perspective as a child, or retrospective as an adult - but either way the narrative was endearing (without being twee). #BookSky
A captivating read; never quite sure whether you’re reading from the narrator’s perspective as a child, or retrospective as an adult - but either way the narrative was endearing (without being twee). #BookSky
November 20, 2025 at 11:11 AM
1/ Finished reading Caradog Prichard’s One Moonlit Night (English translation) last night.
A captivating read; never quite sure whether you’re reading from the narrator’s perspective as a child, or retrospective as an adult - but either way the narrative was endearing (without being twee). #BookSky
A captivating read; never quite sure whether you’re reading from the narrator’s perspective as a child, or retrospective as an adult - but either way the narrative was endearing (without being twee). #BookSky
The Highlands are just majestic! Delighted we caught the first snow - an invigorating plod around from the Nevis Range Gondola today 🚡
November 19, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The Highlands are just majestic! Delighted we caught the first snow - an invigorating plod around from the Nevis Range Gondola today 🚡
November 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Finished Graham Swift’s Last Orders while travelling to court this morning 👏
Like Dubliners, Lonely Londoners, Middlemarch et al, I love stories that focus on day-to-day lives and events and which have profundity arising simply from the characters’ relationships and past experiences.
#BookSky
Like Dubliners, Lonely Londoners, Middlemarch et al, I love stories that focus on day-to-day lives and events and which have profundity arising simply from the characters’ relationships and past experiences.
#BookSky
November 13, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Finished Graham Swift’s Last Orders while travelling to court this morning 👏
Like Dubliners, Lonely Londoners, Middlemarch et al, I love stories that focus on day-to-day lives and events and which have profundity arising simply from the characters’ relationships and past experiences.
#BookSky
Like Dubliners, Lonely Londoners, Middlemarch et al, I love stories that focus on day-to-day lives and events and which have profundity arising simply from the characters’ relationships and past experiences.
#BookSky
Wise words from @tommctague.bsky.social in his note for the latest @thespectator1828.bsky.social:
‘[…] reflection and enquiry remain the bedrock of journalism, not mere reaction and emotion’.
More of a life lesson than just a journalism principle.
‘[…] reflection and enquiry remain the bedrock of journalism, not mere reaction and emotion’.
More of a life lesson than just a journalism principle.
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Wise words from @tommctague.bsky.social in his note for the latest @thespectator1828.bsky.social:
‘[…] reflection and enquiry remain the bedrock of journalism, not mere reaction and emotion’.
More of a life lesson than just a journalism principle.
‘[…] reflection and enquiry remain the bedrock of journalism, not mere reaction and emotion’.
More of a life lesson than just a journalism principle.
Ibai x Casa Julian was a mighty affair. The final steak stole the show (Barrosa).
Now to have a vegetarian week for balance!
Now to have a vegetarian week for balance!
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Ibai x Casa Julian was a mighty affair. The final steak stole the show (Barrosa).
Now to have a vegetarian week for balance!
Now to have a vegetarian week for balance!
A good lunch had been had.
The French House lived up to expectations.
Serendipity of madeleines making an appearance on #GBBO last night also noted.
The French House lived up to expectations.
Serendipity of madeleines making an appearance on #GBBO last night also noted.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A good lunch had been had.
The French House lived up to expectations.
Serendipity of madeleines making an appearance on #GBBO last night also noted.
The French House lived up to expectations.
Serendipity of madeleines making an appearance on #GBBO last night also noted.
Really enjoyed this.
After a very busy week delivering justice in Bournemouth in a three-day trial (yes, justice even extends to the coast), which although purely civil involved a family dispute - this story, through its trauma and exploration for hope, has been a great counterweight.
After a very busy week delivering justice in Bournemouth in a three-day trial (yes, justice even extends to the coast), which although purely civil involved a family dispute - this story, through its trauma and exploration for hope, has been a great counterweight.
October 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Really enjoyed this.
After a very busy week delivering justice in Bournemouth in a three-day trial (yes, justice even extends to the coast), which although purely civil involved a family dispute - this story, through its trauma and exploration for hope, has been a great counterweight.
After a very busy week delivering justice in Bournemouth in a three-day trial (yes, justice even extends to the coast), which although purely civil involved a family dispute - this story, through its trauma and exploration for hope, has been a great counterweight.
Yeah say what you want about the Black Country but you won’t get this plate of beauty anywhere else in the world. 😋
October 24, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Yeah say what you want about the Black Country but you won’t get this plate of beauty anywhere else in the world. 😋
I assume this is the only time anyone has ever willingly invited Prince Andrew to strip.
October 19, 2025 at 8:26 AM
I assume this is the only time anyone has ever willingly invited Prince Andrew to strip.
Arundel and the Cotswolds in one autumn weekend. Divine!
October 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Arundel and the Cotswolds in one autumn weekend. Divine!
21 years. God. What’s happened. (Courtesy of the New Statesman’s editor’s lead article this week.)
youtu.be/ueMNqdB1QIE?...
youtu.be/ueMNqdB1QIE?...
Obama's 2004 DNC keynote speech
YouTube video by CNN
youtu.be
October 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
21 years. God. What’s happened. (Courtesy of the New Statesman’s editor’s lead article this week.)
youtu.be/ueMNqdB1QIE?...
youtu.be/ueMNqdB1QIE?...
Two-day trial in Lincoln at the start of this week. Judge took a couple of hours to deliberate on judgment so had time for a cheeky trip to the cathedral.
It’s bloody massive, and also beautifully tranquil. Was a lovely respite.
(Also the judge decided in my client’s favour 🤗.)
It’s bloody massive, and also beautifully tranquil. Was a lovely respite.
(Also the judge decided in my client’s favour 🤗.)
October 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Two-day trial in Lincoln at the start of this week. Judge took a couple of hours to deliberate on judgment so had time for a cheeky trip to the cathedral.
It’s bloody massive, and also beautifully tranquil. Was a lovely respite.
(Also the judge decided in my client’s favour 🤗.)
It’s bloody massive, and also beautifully tranquil. Was a lovely respite.
(Also the judge decided in my client’s favour 🤗.)
Work has been so intense this week. Eyes haven’t been up to doing any leisure (pleasure?) reading by the time I switch off.
Like Severance, it would be useful to have “work eyes” and “non-work eyes”. If someone can sort that please.
Like Severance, it would be useful to have “work eyes” and “non-work eyes”. If someone can sort that please.
September 26, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Work has been so intense this week. Eyes haven’t been up to doing any leisure (pleasure?) reading by the time I switch off.
Like Severance, it would be useful to have “work eyes” and “non-work eyes”. If someone can sort that please.
Like Severance, it would be useful to have “work eyes” and “non-work eyes”. If someone can sort that please.