Robert Stagg

Although tropical islands don’t have a great reputation right now, I’m heading out to Ilha Grande along Brazil’s Costa Verde for the next few days. Will miss the gorgeous 1930s pousada I’ve been staying and swimming at in Rio. #Brazil 🇧🇷

Un momento di ascolto nella Sinfonia n.94 di Haydn: la Sorpresa. Buon ascolto! #ascolto #25maggio

Spent most of today on the Copacabana. An unfortunate side effect of this is that I now can’t stop humming the wretched Barry Manilow song of the same name. #Rio 🇧🇷

Good times on the Lyceum circuit.

Last night at the Maracanã for the Flamengo (Rio) vs Palmeiras (São Paulo) game. My ears are still ringing twelve hours later. #Rio 🇧🇷

Sunday 24 May 1663 (Lord’s day). Having taken one of Mr. Holliard’s pills last night it brought a stool or two this morning, and so forebore going to church this morning, but staid at home … at noon dined, and my wife telling me that there was a pretty lady come to church with Peg Pen to-day, I against my intention had a mind to go to church to see her, and did so, and she is pretty handsome…. And so home and with my wife and Ashwell into the garden walking a great while, discoursing what this pretty wench should be by her garb and deportment; with respect to Mrs. Pen she may be her woman, but only that she sat in the pew with her, which I believe he would not let her do. So home, and read to my wife a fable or two in Ogleby’s Aesop, and so to supper, and then to prayers and to bed. Lady Margaret Penn at St Olave, Hart Street Mary Ashwell She joined the Pepys household in March 1663 as a companion for Elizabeth Ogilby's 'The Fables of Aesop...' It stood out for its literary polish (paraphrased in heroic verse) and visual splendor, helping popularize the fables among the gentry. It’s not a straight, literal translation of the ancient Aesop. It is John Ogilby’s creative paraphrase/adaptation. Sam referenced it several times in his diary, and it remained a standard in his collection. He bought an edition in early 1661 (likely the 1651 one) and owned a 1665 copy in his library. I think this one resonated with Sam: Of the Frogs desiring a King The core story of frogs discontented with their freedom who beg Jupiter for a king and first receive a harmless log (which leaves them unsatisfied) and then a predatory stork that devours them, is the genuine ancient Aesop tale. Ogilby transforms it into lively Restoration verse with added flourishes such as the frogs playing “Leap-Frog o’er his Head,” and calling the log a “Wooden Idol.” His Moral: No government can ever satisfy the immature and inexperienced common people. They love change, even though stability is safer. They stir up new anarchy and rebellions, then grow tired of it all and long for a strong king and lords again. Here is the 1668 edition on Internet Archive archive.org/details/fables…

Now that the sun has returned to Rio, I followed the lead of apparently every gay man in the city: first a morning spent sunbathing on Praia de Ipanema, then an afternoon cycle around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (pictured). #Rio 🇧🇷

Remember, you must sleep more than other people, because I sleep a little less than the average. And I can’t think of any better place to store my unused share of sleep than in your dear eyes. Franz Kafka, 1912.

If you’re thinking Starmer campaigning for his sworn opponent in a by-election is unprecedented you’re absolutely wrong! Here’s Dennis Healey campaigning for Tony Benn in the 1984 Chesterfield by-election. It’s hilarious and even the banner couldn’t take any more! VOTE LABOUR!

…and from his feet. #Rio 🇧🇷

Cristo Redentor, as seen from the Jardim Botânico… #Rio 🇧🇷

Umezawa Manor in Sagami Province, from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, by Katsushika Hokusai, 1830-1831

Samba! in a bar so left-wing that if the State of Texas knew about it they probably wouldn’t let me return… #Rio 🇧🇷

We have to remember that what we observe is not nature herself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning. -- W. Heisenberg (Physics and Philosophy, 1958)

Inside Rio de Janeiro’s extraordinary Metropolitan Cathedral (1979). #Rio 🇧🇷

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Some colourful houses in the Santa Teresa and Lapa neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro. #Rio 🇧🇷

A rare look at Basquiat before fame timeout.com/newyork/news/a…

Spot the Christ the Redeemer statue… #Rio 🇧🇷

Wow! Now that is quite a mode of transportation!