Category: Funny & Humour

What a joke!

In the footsteps of Stan Laurel

Whilst out and about on Tyneside, I wanted to visit a little spot that I’d never got to make it to previously, the one time home of Stan Laurel, one half of that legendary comedy duo of a century ago, Laurel and Hardy. Like myself, Stan was born in Cumbria and moved to Newcastle at… Continue reading In the footsteps of Stan Laurel

Football to the beautiful game from the deadly one

Not quite Halloween related, heaven knows I have written enough of them over the last 10 years but something still a little bit gory to get our fangs into. I’m a great one for unfortunate deaths in times gone by, it inspired me to write 101 Most Horrible Tortures In History. For some reason this… Continue reading Football to the beautiful game from the deadly one

Meeting Stephen Fry makes a great day even better

I get to meet lots of people in my job from The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh through Presidents, politicians, film-stars and musicians. There aren’t actually that many people who I’d like to meet; perhaps Sir David Attenborough but on the whole I don’t really understand the concept of celebrity and the people I admire… Continue reading Meeting Stephen Fry makes a great day even better

The death and resurrection of Margorie McCall

If you’re anything like me then there is nothing that quite tickles your fancy like a historic ‘resurrection’ story.   This one took place in Ireland in 1705 when after succumbing to a fever Margorie McCall was hastily buried to prevent the spread of whatever had sent her to her maker. Margorie was buried with… Continue reading The death and resurrection of Margorie McCall

When Cricket FairPlay and sportsmanship were hit for SIX at Tilbury Fortress

My last post was all about my recent visit to Tilbury Fortress on the northern bank of the River Thames. Despite its massive size and strength or maybe because of it, no-one was ever killed in action here and yet there was one death in particular that must go down as one of the most… Continue reading When Cricket FairPlay and sportsmanship were hit for SIX at Tilbury Fortress

Coronavirus Diary 61 – When Social Distancing takes the Pee!

When I was scouting out the new tour Mayfair and Belgravia Walking Tour last week, I visited the The Grenadier Pubwhich I wrote about yesterday,  I found something in the toilets which was very much a sign of the times. Of course the social distancing rules mean that we have to stay 2 metres of 6 feet… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 61 – When Social Distancing takes the Pee!

My new book cover – Secret Gardens of the City of London

I thought today as I’m having a relatively easy day (I hope) to unveil the cover for my forthcoming Secret Gardens of the City of London. This is the Kindle formatted cover which ends up being very similar if not identical to the one on iBooks and many other electronic retailers.  A paperback cover is… Continue reading My new book cover – Secret Gardens of the City of London

Great British Political Insults

There’s not much that signifies the downward trend of society these days than the eloquence of politicians.  Of course in Parliament there are all manner of procedures and protocols that go back centuries such as not being able to call someone a liar.  These combined with the education system meant that politicians could literally speak… Continue reading Great British Political Insults

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!