Category Archives: Distractions

Happy New Year

Posted on 1st January 2023 by Jack Plane

Cheers to everyone who took the time to read my posts over the past year, and a special thank you to those who commented on them. Wishing everyone happiness, health and prosperity in 2023. Jack Plane

Posted in Distractions | Tagged | 6 Comments

Season’s Greetings

Posted on 24th December 2022 by Jack Plane

Whatever your persuasion and situation, I wish you all well during the festive season. Robert Cruikshank, High Life Below Stairs, circa 1825. Jack Plane

Posted in Distractions | Tagged | 3 Comments

Benjamin & John Osgood, Carpenters

Posted on 2nd December 2022 by Jack Plane

Trade card of carpenters, Benjamin and John Osgood, possibly between 1811 and 1820. (Lewis Walpole Library) Benjamin & John Osgood carpenters, at the Rising Sun by London Stone in Cannon Street, perform all sorts of carpenters work; survey and measure … Continue reading →

Posted in Distractions | Tagged | 2 Comments

Happy New Year

Posted on 5th January 2022 by Jack Plane

Belatedly (I have been away) – cheers to everyone who took the time to read my posts over the past year, and a special thank you to those who commented on them. Wishing everyone happiness, health and prosperity in 2022. … Continue reading →

Posted in Distractions | 7 Comments

Season’s Greetings

Posted on 24th December 2021 by Jack Plane

Whatever your persuasion and situation, I wish you all well during the festive season. John Burnett, Christmas Eve, circa 1815. Jack Plane

Posted in Distractions | Tagged | 12 Comments

Harewood or Rabbit Wood?

Posted on 2nd April 2021 by Jack Plane

Happy Easter to one and all. Jack Plane

Posted in Distractions | Tagged | 5 Comments

Of Padauk Legs and Rats

Posted on 1st April 2021 by Jack Plane

In 1751, aged fourteen, Thomas Parker joined the Royal Navy where he led an unremarkable career as a seaman. In 1762, whilst bathing in Bahía de la Habana, Parker was attacked by a large shark. He survived the attack but … Continue reading →

Posted in Distractions | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Happy New Year

Posted on 31st December 2020 by Jack Plane

What a year! Cheers to everyone who took the time to read my posts over the past year, and a special thank you to those who commented on them. Wishing everyone happiness and prosperity in 2021. Jack Plane

Posted in Distractions | 10 Comments

Season’s Greetings

Posted on 22nd December 2020 by Jack Plane

Whatever your persuasion and situation, I wish you all well during the festive season. Francis Wheatley, The Mistletoe Bough, circa 1790. Jack Plane

Posted in Distractions | 13 Comments

Swizzle

Posted on 11th July 2020 by Jack Plane

The only use for the timber of the swizzle tree (Quararibea turbinata) that I can find is for making goad sticks (figure 1). Fig. 1. Goad stick with swizzle haft. However, ‘swizzles’ are concoctions that originated on the island of … Continue reading →

Posted in Distractions, Furniture Timbers | Tagged , | 6 Comments