My Coronavirus Self-Isolation took a step further towards feeling further like a solitary confinement in prison last week as I managed to get an electrician who was able to come into my new but ancient house. Initially I only wanted some very minor work doing but as is the way with things, it all escalated… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 43 – Self Isolating without electricity
Month: May 2020
Coronavirus Diary 42 – Necessity is the mother of invention
I started Ye Olde England Tours in 2013. As far as I know, I was the first person in Britain to do what I do. In fact I was so pioneering that I was thrown off Viator/Trip Advisor as back then such activities were very tightly controlled on that website and you have very certifications… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 42 – Necessity is the mother of invention
That time the Queen hid in a bush to avoid her guests…. yes really!
All of us have to deal with people that we don’t like, particularly those of us who work in public facing jobs. Some of us even avoid people at home; I know I have hid in the bath one dark evening and in a wardrobe to have a bit of peace and quiet to myself.… Continue reading That time the Queen hid in a bush to avoid her guests…. yes really!
Good reasons to visit Barnard Castle! But maybe not now Dominic Cummings
Over the weekend all hell has blown up in the Westminster media bubble due to the ‘loathed’ Dominic Cummings chief advisor to Boris Johnson seeking a hideout in County Durham, 260 miles away from London. To me, I don’t really see what the big deal is and it is curious that those accusing someone of… Continue reading Good reasons to visit Barnard Castle! But maybe not now Dominic Cummings
The 900 year old Swan Upping ceremony is cancelled
It is an historic Royal ceremony that has taken place annually for the last 900 years but the Coronavirus means that for only the second time, this ancient practice of counting the swans on the River Thames has been cancelled for the year. The Swan Upping census lasts for five days and was due to… Continue reading The 900 year old Swan Upping ceremony is cancelled
Coronavirus Diary 41 – A life of being nice doesn’t pay.
A few days ago I had a phone call from the Police. We ended up talking for around 90 minutes; not just having a chinwag but we were going through a statement about one of the recent crimes I suffered. I haven’t talked for 90 minutes combined all of the last 2.5 months and was… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 41 – A life of being nice doesn’t pay.
Coronavirus Diary 40 – How to make friends and influence people
For much of the last week I have been out in my back garden. It’s one of the sole parts of the property that I can make progress with given the state of the world at the moment. In a world where electricians can come in my house to sort out my unsafe electrics… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 40 – How to make friends and influence people
Bushey Heath now and then – Photos of my street from 130 years ago
Long-time readers of my blog will know one of the things I like to do is come across old photos of places and do comparisons with how they are today as with this series of3 old posts of old street scenes across the U.K. Recently as I was looking for something completely difference I actually… Continue reading Bushey Heath now and then – Photos of my street from 130 years ago
Coronavirus Diary 39 – The false dawn
I hope everyone is well. Before I get to my post I read for the first time a news-piece that actually related to me during these virus ridden times. “Solo lockdown is really tough. While people on Twitter and Facebook posted of much-awaited reunions this weekend, and their frustrations at not being able to embrace… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 39 – The false dawn
The Master Oak – The Greatest and Oldest Oak Tree in Middlesex
Following on from my post last week where I visited the old WW2 Pillbox, my walk continued through the Bentley Priory Nature Reserve in NW London. The name Bentley is believed to derive from the Anglo-Saxon word Beonet, which means a place covered in coarse grass, and Leah, a piece of cleared ground on the… Continue reading The Master Oak – The Greatest and Oldest Oak Tree in Middlesex
Stephen Liddell 