Monthly Archives: August 2017

A walk along the Grand Union Canal

Posted on August 29, 2017 by

It’s been a very warm and sunny Bank Holiday weekend in London and I managed to wangle it so that I didn’t spend every minute of it working.  During a few hours of spare time I decided to go on … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, Science and Engineering, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The London fences made from stretchers

Posted on August 26, 2017 by

Famously many of the iron and steel railings in the U.K. were removed and melted down to help the war effort in WW2.  Whether a large city park or a private residence, chances are if there was a traditional style … Continue reading →

Posted in history, London, Science and Engineering, WW2 | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Of Mice And Men – The smallest monument in London

Posted on August 24, 2017 by

I’ve known about the mice of Philpot Lane for a year when I started researching for a forthcoming London Attractions book which I am working on but it was only on Tuesday that I finally set my eyes upon it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, Life, London, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

The festival of Raksha Bandhan

Posted on August 21, 2017 by

Two weeks ago today on August 7th, was the festival of Raksha Bandhan.  Originating with the Hindu faith in India (though long observed by Sikhs too),  it centres on a ceremony wherein a sister will tie a Rakhi (a simple … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

When did travelling become such hell?

Posted on August 18, 2017 by

I am a little unusual I admit, I quite like travelling by public transport and I always have. I don’t see driving a car as superior and much prefer to pay someone to do that for me so along with … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Opinion, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Gertrude Bell – The Ketrun – Desert Queen

Posted on August 16, 2017 by

From time to time, I have written about iconic and pioneering women in relative recent history, well recent by British standards 🙂  I also sometimes write about the Middle-East which is actually the one area of life that I can … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, WW1 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

The Great American Eclipse and harbingers of doom!

Posted on August 12, 2017 by

With the Solar Eclipse about to hit the USA and a partial eclipse in many other places including the UK, it interesting to note that what is now a special tourist event was once something to be feared. Whilst it … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, Science and Engineering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

What type of sleeper are you?

Posted on August 10, 2017 by

We’re all used to dividing ourselves between Early-Birds and Night Owls depending on our natural predilection for when we get up and are at our best.  I’m very much an Early Bird, I don’t own an alarm clock and indeed … Continue reading →

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Peter The Wild Boy

Posted on August 7, 2017 by

In the summer of 1725 an uncouth youth was found in the forest of Hertswold near Hameln in northern Germany. It was thought the boy was aged about 10 years old though he walked on all fours and fed on … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Secret London: streets beneath streets of London

Posted on August 3, 2017 by

Originally posted on The Great Wen:
Paul, the librarian at Time Out, first told me about the street beneath Charing Cross Road in around 2005. He promised to show it to me, but never did. Then, last month, I saw…

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