From Vimy Ridge to Jon Snow

[tunnels of Vimy Ridge, reminding me of the Subway section in Sassoon's MemWars]

Bromdinium paid a visit to the Imperial War Museum last night for a viewing of Vimy Ridge Heaven to Hell. Not a bad piece of History Channel TV, although the military archaelogists got a bit carried away. Some of the Canucks seemed a bit miffed at the sentimental nationalism, but were pleased to discover that they held the record for the highest VD rate in WWI. Possibly have Lord Owen an over-nasty stare, met a friendly chat from the French embassy, a brace of mad retired colonels, and got invited - B hopes - to Paddy Ashdown's book launch. Documentry wasn't too bad, and the nibbles were top drawer, so a successful evening.



Sparking sunny morning on way in today, and I espied Jon Snow at Pret opposit the NPG. Determined to say hello, as he's a cycling man, so I did. Had a good little chat. He must have thought I was some mad nutter, but was interested in B's day job, and was pleased to report that he had an exclusive interview with an artist for C4 news.

The excuse to stop was a response to a letter in the Guardian:

Jon Snow clearly has a death wish. There he is (Guardian Guide to Cycling,
March 3) in grey hat, grey jacket and grey trousers, on a grey bike with a grey
bag, cycling along in a grey-ish urban location. Jon! We can't see you! I'd
expect the leading light of the CTC to be brighter, and ditch the camouflage.
Being mistaken for Adam Hart-Davis is a small price to pay.

Mike Lewis, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

B's favourite TV journalist was sat in a day-glo Altura. But according to the great man, this was due to his own fear for his life, rather than Mr. Lewis's advice. Fair enough, given that Bromdinium was almost reversed over by a Mercedes a year ago on St Martin's Lane, a few yards from where we were chatting. At least B. had his dayglo John Brown belt on today.