Column by David in The Times.

OVER THE COUPLE OF YEARS THAT I’ve been writing this column, it would be true enough to say that I have occasionally used it to crowbar in the odd personal peccadillo. Whether employing it to respond to a slight in another newspaper, to outline my love of Genesis or my hatred of Disneyland, or to express my frustration on losing a copy of my bedside reading, I’ve never let its apparent purpose as a literary comment page get in the way of its real value for me, namely, therapy.

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Column by David in The Times.

I HAPPENED, WHILE STAYING IN Disneyland Paris last month, to catch a video of the top ten tips for enjoying this particular version of the Disney Corporation’s sugar-coated hell on earth. As the extraordinarily shrill presenter blasted out her rictus-grinned suggestions – this ride, that restaurant, and every possible other way of turning you upside down and shaking the cash from your pockets – one tip that I felt was missing was: bring a book. Not because you might be able to get away from the Stalinist fun, fun, fun for a few seconds of calm – your children will make sure of that. But because it will help to pass the time standing in the endless, endless queues.

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