It was back in early spring that it was said that 2016 was obviously being written by Game of Thrones writer, George RR Martin. The number of famous people who have died in 2016 is almost too big to recall. It’s safe to say that whatever it was that consituted our broader culture as… Continue reading Why has 2016 seen so many celebrity deaths?
Month: December 2016
8 Myths About Christmas Debunked
With 2,000 years of history behind it, Christmas has a lot of historical myths and baggage attached, both good and bad. Now seems as good as time as ever to take a brief look at some of them. 1 Coca-Cola designed the modern Santa Claus as part of an advertising campaign This is one you always… Continue reading 8 Myths About Christmas Debunked
The 25 Greatest Star Wars Moments Of All Time
So by now, everyone who is vaguely interested in sci-fi is probably aware that a new Star Wars film is out, Rogue One. With us approaching the end of the year, I thought I would do a countdown with a difference. Star Wars was the first film I ever saw at the cinema and it’s… Continue reading The 25 Greatest Star Wars Moments Of All Time
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub & The Rude Parrot of Fleet Street
Following on from my discovery and subsequent blog post on John “Mad Jack” Mytton – The craziest man in history! I was overjoyed to stumble across another hilarious character of history whilst out on a Charles Dickens Walking Tour on friday. Everything was going well and then we reached one of the points of the tour, the… Continue reading Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub & The Rude Parrot of Fleet Street
All About Cockneys & The 150 Top Cockney Rhyming Slang Phrases
Almost everyone knows what a Cockney is or at least they think they do. Famously they are the original Londoners known for their cheeky banter, no nonsense approach to life and perhaps being a bit rough. Actually a lot rough. The amount of London gangster films has given to a film genre in… Continue reading All About Cockneys & The 150 Top Cockney Rhyming Slang Phrases
The longest ongoing conflicts in the world
It’s that time of year when most websites and blogs do a rather whimsical review of the year with an overly saccharine Christmasy feeling. That may be all well and good for those of us living in something of a peaceful and prosperous existence but I think it’s important to remember that for many… Continue reading The longest ongoing conflicts in the world
Cross Bones Graveyard – A resting place for the ‘Single women’ of London
Today whilst conducting a private Charles Dickens Walking Tour with a colleague, I took a little detour through the back streets of Borough and Southwark to visit two very special and unique places. This area of London lies just south of the River Thames and since Roman times (like Whitechapel) has been something of the armpit… Continue reading Cross Bones Graveyard – A resting place for the ‘Single women’ of London
Stuck for Gift ideas? Grab yourself a book or ebook!
It’s that time of year when many people are looking for a gift for a friend, loved one or maybe just a treat for yourself. I must admit that living here in the UK and being relatively busy, I just end up watching the BBC which means I have yet to see any… Continue reading Stuck for Gift ideas? Grab yourself a book or ebook!
Remembering Andrew Sachs, Manuel from Fawlty Towers
learn This morning awaking before 5am I was saddened to learn of the death of Andrew Sachs who famously portrayted the well-meaning but inept Spanish waiter Manuel in the classic comedy Fawlty Towers. Manuel was always in a state of constant confusion, and with a tenuous grasp of English syntax, he was invariably the target of… Continue reading Remembering Andrew Sachs, Manuel from Fawlty Towers
Stephen Liddell 