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

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

Photos of Edinburgh

This week I’ve been away from my usual haunts in London and leading a 10 day tour around Scotland. Naturally the place to start of at is the beautiful city of Edinburgh. Like many other great cities, Edinburgh takes great pride in remembering those who made great impacts on the world or who contributed positively… Continue reading Photos of Edinburgh

Trooping The Colour

This saturday sees the annual national event known as Trooping The Colour and is the centrepiece for the official birthday celebrations of The Queen and will see The Mall, royal parks and Horseguards Parade backed with Union Jack waving crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen and members of the Royal Family, The… Continue reading Trooping The Colour

My ride in the last ever petrol London Black Taxi

In my role as a tour guide, I get to explore every hidden corner of London, though after nearly 5 years I sometimes feel like I am still just learning the ropes.  Every day, every neaighbourhood reveals new secrets, new shortcuts, new quirky bits of history and new ways of getting from A to B.… Continue reading My ride in the last ever petrol London Black Taxi

Harry, Meghan and the £32 million wedding!

Today’s couples spend an average of £17,913 on their big day, with the average wedding size being 78 guests for the ceremony and 83 guests for the evening. However, Harry and Meghan aren’t like today’s average couples. They’re having everything from bespoke silver plated fanfare trumpets to a “drone destroyer”, so it’s safe to say they will be… Continue reading Harry, Meghan and the £32 million wedding!

The Royal Wedding – Harry and Meghan by the numbers

A few days ago, the Queen signed the Instrument of Consent which gave official approval for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, you can see her signature at the top right of the document.  So I thought I would do two posts looking at the Royal Wedding from a different perspective using facts… Continue reading The Royal Wedding – Harry and Meghan by the numbers

The lonely Isle of Islay and the doomed American soldiers who died there in 1918 in 2 naval disasters.

The Scottish Isle of of Islay is best known these days for its world famous peaty single malt whisky but a century ago, this normally tranquil place which sits on the western coast of the U.K and facing the fierce north Atlantic was for just a few short months at least, anything other than tranquil.… Continue reading The lonely Isle of Islay and the doomed American soldiers who died there in 1918 in 2 naval disasters.