Category: Culture

Posts predominantly culture related.

Rabbitwoman and Dogman

I wrote last week on the wonderful new work of public art in London entitled The Wildlife Table of Love in Paternoster Square. I mentioned in that post how I have long enjoyed seeing the public work of artists Gille and Marc around London and indeed in many other large cities around the world. Some artwork… Continue reading Rabbitwoman and Dogman

The Wildlife Table of Love in Paternoster Square

One of the perennial joys of London is wondering around and seeing works of art in public spaces. Sometimes they literally appear overnight as was the case when I went into Paternoster Square under the shadow of St Pauls. Almost centre stage, for it is a large square with permanent artworks and memorials all ready,… Continue reading The Wildlife Table of Love in Paternoster Square

Thomas Becket Play and Pageant 2022

Whilst I was giving a Roman Tour on Saturday, my guests and I happened across a mini rehearsal fora special event coming up later this week in the Guildhall Yard. Two very large figures were inthe process of being taken apart. At first I thought it might be Gog and Magog but I quickly worked… Continue reading Thomas Becket Play and Pageant 2022

Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival – Celebrating the 360th Birthday of Punch and Judy

One of the things about doing tours in London is that in a way it is both my office and indeed my stage and tours can be variable and incorporate whatever it is we come across in addition to my vague plans for the day. Yesterday (Sunday) we happened across the annual Punch and Judy… Continue reading Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival – Celebrating the 360th Birthday of Punch and Judy

Getting Snug With Box Beds

If you’ve ever browsed properties for sale in expensive and over-crowded cities such as London, Tokyo or New York you may have seen some creative descriptions from estate agents that are only surpassed by the ingenious if often very unsatisfactory layouts that some developers try and make a quick profit to sell a home that… Continue reading Getting Snug With Box Beds

Going to my first Opera at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Last Saturday I managed to bag a small ambition that I had wanted to do for decades, experience a real life opera and I managed to do so in one of the very finest venues in the world, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. I always like live theatre but for all sorts… Continue reading Going to my first Opera at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

50 sayings that are off to the knackers yard!

A few years ago I wrote a book called My New Book – Straight from the Horse’s Mouth : 100 Idioms, their Meanings and Origins which always sells quite by my standards, especially at Christmas. Words and sayings have been such a rich source of our culture and often inspired by history, even if it is… Continue reading 50 sayings that are off to the knackers yard!

My Top 10 Movies of 2021

As with 2020 it’s been a weird year for film-goers. I only managed to go at all because Cineworld gave me a free annual pass. I definitely made the most of it and went to see dozens of films just as I did in 2020. I very much believe that if you like culture, arts… Continue reading My Top 10 Movies of 2021

The Englishman who invented an American fast-food icon

Everyone loves a hotdog don’t they? I know I used to eat a lot of them though I’ve not had any for about 20 years, partly that’s because it is hard to get gluten free hotdog bread rolls and partly as I prefer actual sausages in bread rolls. Nevertheless, hotdogs can be a fast and… Continue reading The Englishman who invented an American fast-food icon