As I write this, yesterday I received a mysterious box from Oxford University and for a split second I wondered what it might be but then I realised it must certainly be a gift from my tourist friend Lorraine in Australia. We’d been to Oxford as part of our epic North of England tour, Oxford… Continue reading A Grotesque Gift – The difference between a gargoyle and a grotesque!
Month: November 2019
Elizabeth and John Sodeaux – Two unintended victims of Jack The Ripper
We often see on the news today after horrific events around the world, the impact and effects it has on those who survived disasters or live amongst horrific events. Todays post shows that the stresses of living through nightmarish events isn’t a new one, especially when the they stretch out for months with Jack the… Continue reading Elizabeth and John Sodeaux – Two unintended victims of Jack The Ripper
The Buttermarket of Barnard Castle
Along with Middleton-In-Teesdale, Barnard Castle is one of the two principal towns in beautiful Teesdale. Whilst being a local shopping centre; it also is home to one of the most fantastic ruined castle Barnard Castle and the even more magnificent Bowes Museum with its magical silver swan. More modest in scope though none the less beautiful… Continue reading The Buttermarket of Barnard Castle
Visiting the home of Joseph Hedley whose murder in 1826 shook the world!
A few weeks ago whilst out on a 11 day tour of Newcastle. Northumbria, Durham and the Lake District, with the lovely Lorraine from Tasmania, I had the opportunity to revisit the Beamish Open Air Museum. The working and living museum is 50 years into an incredible 200 year plan to preserve and re-enact for… Continue reading Visiting the home of Joseph Hedley whose murder in 1826 shook the world!
The Bridge of Sighs in Oxford
There are so many beautiful sights to see in Oxford, the famous old university city known as the City of Dreaming Spires due to the wonderful architecture of Oxford which is prone to take the breath away of even the most seasoned traveller. So beautiful in fact that Hitler deemed it to be his future… Continue reading The Bridge of Sighs in Oxford
Going to my first NFL game at Wembley Stadium, London
A few days ago I managed to get to see my very first live-action NFL game at Wembley Stadium, London. Normally Wembley is the home of Football but for a month or so eat autumn, it becomes the home of American Football! I’ve watched American Football or NFL since around 1982 when it first appeared… Continue reading Going to my first NFL game at Wembley Stadium, London
Electing a new Speaker to the House of Commons
Following the often delayed departure of the previous Mr. Speaker John Bercow, this week sees the election of the next speaker of the House of Commons. How does one become a Speaker? Firstly one has to already be a sitting Member of Parliament. Their electorate is what has been described as “the most duplicitous electorate… Continue reading Electing a new Speaker to the House of Commons
A close look at a grave of a Pirate or is it?
Huddled on the the battered coast of Northumberland you’ll come across many an ancient ruin, castle or church. There is more than enough to spend an hour or so at St Aidan, so named after the saint who died on the spot in 651AD. I first visited this church around 40 years ago and still… Continue reading A close look at a grave of a Pirate or is it?
Stephen Liddell 