Peak beard

At the Institute, we have to be close to peak beard. Almost every single one of the newly arrived male Fellows, plus one member of staff, sports a beard, all or most of the time. And some are fine hipster examples.

In the august surroundings of the Scottish Arts Club, where we were present for a quiz night and where we were also more or less halving the average age of participants, here are, left to right, Harry, Michael, Massimiliano (name as magnificent as his beard), Alex (who regretted having recently shaved), Matteo, Donald and Paul. Missing are Malcolm, whose beard is finer than the picture shows (and who must have been in the little boy's room when I took this) and Adam (away doing his research).

For the record, we were pants in the quiz. Far too much reliance on day time TV. The sort of thing that you'd only expect students and the retired to watch. Not those of us who have to work for a living! But it was great fun, and I love this picture.