The Lady Magazine

25 September 2015

Dear Readers, As the leaves turn autumnal and the garden bonfires are lit, spare a thought for our friend the hedgehog. Immortalised by Beatrix Potter, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and her real-life family occupy a special place in our hearts. What a surreal treat it is to spot one scurrying around before they head off to bed for the winter. But for how long? And when did you last see one? The latest figures reveal that their numbers are at a crisis point. I hope you will join us and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society in our mission to save these spiky little sweeties. This may be the week for missions, and none more so than the decision by Andy Ash to go in search of the 70 remaining paintings by Caravaggio spread across 11 different countries, all in only three weeks. He doesn’t speak Italian and isn’t quite sure how it will end. It’s an eccentric adventure worthy of Phileas Fogg. Will he make it? Not if he decides to travel at a leisurely pace aboard one of the dream excursions offered in our cruise special. Not for him the chance to sail down the Danube on a river boat or take a luxury trip across the ocean with a perfectly mixed G&T in hand. Oh well, that leaves plenty of room for the rest of us. Until next week, best wishes Sam Taylor, Editor