Snooping around is part of my job and I end up in all sorts of weird and sometimes possibly illegal situations especially in the old City of London or out in the country. Two days ago I noticed that there was a possible old-fashioned well in the garden of what centuries ago was the village… Continue reading I found an old fashioned water well in my street!
Category: Heritage
Visiting WW1 trenches in the heart of England
As someone with a keen interest in WW1 or The Great War, I’ve written before on my visits to the Western Front in France and Belgium. Not many people know that there are still trenches in England and conveniently only about 15 miles from where I live. I’ve wanted to visit them since the 1990’s… Continue reading Visiting WW1 trenches in the heart of England
The secret world of Knocker-uppers!
We all know how job roles can become obsolete overnight but this isn’t something new. Have you ever given thought to how people would get up on time for work in the old days? I’ve never had a problem getting up for work. If I have to get up at 5am for work I get… Continue reading The secret world of Knocker-uppers!
The origins of Stonehenge are further revealed.
Stonehenge actually contains two different kinds of stones, erected thousands of years apart. The sarsens are the larger silica stones in Stonehenge’s outer ring and center, each about 13 feet high and seven feet wide. There are 52 on the site today, but experts believe that there were originally 80. For a few years now we… Continue reading The origins of Stonehenge are further revealed.
See me in action…. a 1 hour free video tour around St Pauls – Smithfields, London!
Well everything well yesterday or as well as possible considering the incessant heat, lack of sleep and in my case food lol. Much of Britain but particularly London is currently being roasted. Last night it was 26 degrees outside at midnight which is around 82F in humidity is more than fine enough for me in… Continue reading See me in action…. a 1 hour free video tour around St Pauls – Smithfields, London!
Pineapples – From Regal luxury to 70’s chintz!
Do you like Pineapples? I don’t know about you but I don’t really like them at all. They burn my tongue which is as good a reason as any not to like a food but there was a time when the lowly Pineapple was about the most desirable object one could own and it’s not… Continue reading Pineapples – From Regal luxury to 70’s chintz!
The (Deserted) Mews of Mayfair
One of the things I like about London are what are known as Mews. In the 18th and 19th centuries London housing for wealthy people generally consisted of streets of large terraced houses with stables at the back, which opened onto a small service street. The mews had horse stalls and a carriage house on… Continue reading The (Deserted) Mews of Mayfair
A special knighthood at Windsor Castle
Some of you may remember I wrote a few months ago of the incredible Captain Tom Moore. Coronavirus 19 – Social Distancing with 99 year old Captain Tom Moore and his multi-million pound fundraiser. The now 100 year old former soldier ended up raising £33million which must be such a unique achievement. He had already… Continue reading A special knighthood at Windsor Castle
There’s something about Persian door-knockers!
One of the things I like about travel is encountering different ideas and customs. I really like noticing the differences. Even in the U.K. there are huge variations in buildings, landscapes, foods, accents and even customs. Whilst others delight in the homogenisation of things, especially in Europe, there is nothing that I dislike more. Things… Continue reading There’s something about Persian door-knockers!
Coronavirus Diary 57 – Following in the footsteps of Count Dracula
When one thinks of Count Dracula it is natural to think of Transylvania in Romania with the dark foreboding forests and eerie castle or perhaps the ancient pathways and lonely hills of Whitby. However some of Dracula is actually set in London and Brahm Stoker was clearly influenced by one or two cemeteries here in… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 57 – Following in the footsteps of Count Dracula
Stephen Liddell 