The issue of ivory pipes looms large again after recent legislation by the UK Government. Pipes that are pre-1975 can still be bought and sold but only because they contain less than 20% ivory. To trade legitimately in them, however, you must register the pipes with the government. The new legislation states: ‘You cannot deal in items containing or made of elephant ivory, unless they are registered as exempt or…

There is something to be said for travelling to the US via Dublin. There you can clear border control and avoid queues on the other side of the Atlantic. I got stuck in arrivals at Philadelphia last weekend in a crowd of 400 with three unhurried guys in kiosks checking passports. Result: missed connection and an unplanned overnight in Philly courtesy the helpful woman at the British Airways desk. By…