The term “irrational exuberance” derives from words that Alan Greenspan, then chairman of the Federal Reserve used in a black-tie dinner speech in 1996. Fourteen pages into this speech, he posed a rhetorical question: “But how do we know when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values, which then become subject to unexpected and prolonged contractions ……………………..?”

Immediately after he said this, stock markets worldwide tumbled in value. 

The term irrational exuberance became Greenspan’s most famous quote, out of all the millions of words he had uttered publicly and the term is now often used to describe a heightened state of speculative fever. I have chosen this phrase as the title for my post because many people will know instantly from this title what this post will be about. (more…)

The White Cross, Riverside, Water Lane, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1TH

0208 940 6844

This pub was in my review of 2010  ‘Another year over and a new one just begun’; as one of my pubs of 2010, when I said “my best pub experience of the year was a trip to West London.”

That was in February 2010 and whilst I half wrote a review of the pub a few weeks later, I never finished it! So as promised in my last but one post, it is one of a few articles I have now looked up; polished and finished.

This pub already has a massive advantage for any review from me, as I spent a great deal of time in it; too much in fact, in my late adolescence, when working for Barclays Bank in Richmond and I have huge affection for it. Many lunchtimes and evenings were spent either in here or the nearby Prince’s Head, a Fuller’s pub, facing Richmond Green. In fact so much time, I actually made the pub darts team for the latter on several occasions.    (more…)

Whilst I am only joining the voyage later; in Stockholm to be exact, I now have my official invitation to the launch, send off; call it what you will of The Great Baltic Adventure and my joining instructions. I shall be there, next Saturday at Young’s, Dial Arch pub in Woolwich where there will be a tasting and judging of the 14 Imperial Russian Stouts making the voyage and then on Sunday to see Thermopylae leave.       

Dear David,

On behalf of The Great Baltic Adventure, I am delighted to attach an Official Invitation to the Launch Send-off at 3.00pm on Saturday, 14 May 2011, at Woolwich Pier, Royal Arsenal, London Borough of Greenwich. 

(more…)