Month: July 2018

Alice Ayres – A Victorian Heroine

A few weeks ago I wrote on Postmans Park – The Memorial To Heroic Self-Sacrifice and I’d taken it upon myself to look some of the names whose valour has been memorialised her.  At random I picked the unassuming sounding Alice Ayres. I picked Alice in particular because I’m familiar with Union Street in Borough, it… Continue reading Alice Ayres – A Victorian Heroine

Vindolanda Writing Tablets

When I was recently walking Hadrians Wall, there were countless Roman sites to visit either on or just off the wall.  Having visited many all ready, the one I most wanted to visit was Vindolanda.   You can see my blog post on Vindolanda here.   Out of everything in Vindolanda, the objects I most wanted… Continue reading Vindolanda Writing Tablets

Buffy The Vampire Slayer! – Don’t ruin the legacy with a remake.

Like several other people trying to forget about big issues in the world, this weekend allowed some of us to become pre-occupied with a small one…. they want to remake Buffy The Vampire Slayer! At its heart was Buffy – a Californian teenager who goes to high school during the day and fights vampires at… Continue reading Buffy The Vampire Slayer! – Don’t ruin the legacy with a remake.

Thomas Harrison – Executed whilst cheerful!

Whilst walking around the City of London earlier this week, I came across a sign that I had seen several times before.  It had always made me smile, perhaps a little perversely given the circumstances but also as I admired the steadfastness of Major General Harrison… whoever he might have been. I’d always vowed to… Continue reading Thomas Harrison – Executed whilst cheerful!

Holding a nearly 2,000 year old Roman shoe at Vindolanda

I’ve been so busy with my tours that I haven’t had a day off since April 16th and so my blog posts are currently a bit shorter than usual.  Even last week when I would be walking for up to 11 hours a day, I still had to start and finish my day with what… Continue reading Holding a nearly 2,000 year old Roman shoe at Vindolanda

I met perhaps the most famous tree in the world at Sycamore Gap

If you think of how many trees are famous; there are quite a few of them but compared to the countless billions of trees on the planet they are really few and far between.  Some famous trees are no longer here such as the cherry tree that George Washington cut down or the famous Californian… Continue reading I met perhaps the most famous tree in the world at Sycamore Gap

The Memorial To Heroic Self-Sacrifice At Postman’s Park

One of the places I really enjoy visiting on my Secret Churches, Gardens and Ruins walk in the City of London is Postman’s Park. The small park was converted in the 19th century from being a cemetery for the adjoining church and is largely unvisited by the swathes of tourists to London.  Apart from the… Continue reading The Memorial To Heroic Self-Sacrifice At Postman’s Park

So long Harlan Ellison, writer of my favourite hour of TV ever… The City on the Edge of Forever

On Saturday I was sad to wake to the news of the death of the writer of my favourite hour of episodic television and indeed many peoples favourite hour.  Harlan Ellison the writer of the beloved original Star Trek episode City On The Edge of Forever has died at the age of 84. Harlan is… Continue reading So long Harlan Ellison, writer of my favourite hour of TV ever… The City on the Edge of Forever