Belmont Crown

I had a new crown fitted by my dentist yesterday. Thank heaven that is done, though it cost an arm and a leg! I had it done privately. Is there any major difference between having a crown fitted privately or under the NHS? I was told, somewhat vaguely, that the standard, quality and treatment is superior when it is performed privately - attention to detail, materials used etc. Is this true? How should I know. Are there any dentists out there prepared to provide his lordship with a fair and true account?

I still have a protective contact lens on my right cornea, having had it lasered on Wednesday. Initially it was really rather sore, causing inflammation inside my eyelid; hence the use of anti-inflammatory drops. I'll be glad to have it removed tomorrow.

Royal Tea-Leaves!

I bought two packets of loose-leaf tea today: Twinings Breakfast variety and Yorkshire Tea. It will be interesting to compare the two.

R Twining and company have been purveyors of tea and coffee to the Royal Household for many years; while Taylors of Harrogate supply beverages, such as Yorkshire Tea, to the Prince of Wales.

Until recently I have been using tea-bags, though I've taken a notion to begin using loose-leaf tea lately.

Plummy Greengages

My aunt brought me several greengages yesterday afternoon. Now I have to admit that I know nothing whatsoever about greengages.

Having consulted my trusty Nuttall's, I discovered that greengages are a kind of plum, introduced to England by Sir William Gage Bt KCB ca 1725 when he obtained a supply from France. According to Nuttall they are pronounced Green-gage.

Apparently greengages are treated in exactly the same way as plums, re consumption.

EH Open Days

I have received a timely reminder that the annual European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) weekend takes place on the 11th and 12th September, 2010.

There will be numerous historic places and landmarks to visit. My list would include Netherleigh House (which, at one time, belonged to my old school); The Moat (McConnell Baronets); Drumalis (Smiley Baronets); Galgorm Castle; Benvarden; Armagh Gaol; Richhill Castle; Newtownards Priory; Ballywalter Park; Crom; and Parkanaur Manor-House.

The list is exhaustive, so be selective!

This year’s European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) will take place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September. There are over 260 events and properties for you to visit during the weekend and they are all free of charge.

You can view all the properties and events by county:

• Belfast
• Antrim
• Armagh
• Down
• Fermanagh
• Londonderry
• Tyrone

You have option of downloading a printable version of the brochure also.

Hail Vintage Apparel!

I couldn't agree more with Prince Charles. Don't become a slave to Fashion. Buy apparel because you admire and like it for its style, cut and quality of cloth; even its origin.

Practically all of my favourite clothes are quite ancient! My dinner jacket was made ca 1934; Churches shoes made ca 1982; a 1983 Burberry trench-coat; a 1982 Oxford grey lounge suit... I could carry on ad nauseum.

Mind you, technology does progress and change: I do trust that HRH has a state-of-the-art television set!

Stig the Perfidious

The BBC has lost a legal fight to stop publication of a book which reveals the identity of Top Gear's driver, known as The Stig. The High Court in London refused to grant the BBC an injunction blocking the publication by HarperCollins of an autobiography that unmasks the character on the BBC Two show.

For what it's worth, they ought to sack him, get a replacement and tighten up their terms, conditions and legally-binding obligations.

Lasered Eye

Well, I had the right eye lasered this morning in Belfast. The procedure was quicker than before because there were no other clients waiting; ergo they treated me sooner. The laser itself takes a mere five or so minutes.

I know the procedure well: Take eye drops four times daily for the first week; wear supplied goggles at bed; avoid anything silly like dusty environments; refrain from rubbing aforesaid eye for at least a week. I return for an initial check-up tomorrow morning; then the protective contact lens is removed, probably on Saturday.

Earlier, at Ross's, I encountered Anthony Malcolmson upstairs in the sale-room. He used to be the Supremo at PRONI.