Open House London has long been my favourite cultural event in London each year, despite the fact I’ve always been busy working and never got to enjoy the fun myself but it is the concept of it that I love so much. One can enjoy free access to buildings which are not usually open to… Continue reading Open House London
Category: Life
Downton Abbey Film Review
It’s no secret that Downton Abbey is my favourite television show of the 21st Century. I love everything about it. The era, the mostly gentle storylines, the costumes, grant houses and beautiful countryside, the witty insults and quotes and the fact that everyone in the programme can actually speak in a civilised fashion which seems… Continue reading Downton Abbey Film Review
The Hartley Colliery Disaster of 1862
My blog is full of disasters from beer floods in London to Grace Darling – A Victorian Heroine. burning building self-sacrifices to heroic against the odd tales of survival I Am The Army – The Incredible Story of William Brydon Many of them remain well known or at least just buried beneath the surface of public consciousness but… Continue reading The Hartley Colliery Disaster of 1862
Changing with the tide – how newspapers reported Napoleon’s march on Paris
I was doing a bit of research on some French related history and the following made me smile so I thought I would share it. I don’t often write on French history (except for WW1 or my trips to Paris) because there are people who are so much more knowledgeable than myself. However I thought… Continue reading Changing with the tide – how newspapers reported Napoleon’s march on Paris
The Fig Tree Tomb of Watford
Last week whilst on a little diversion in my local town, I took the time to visit the beautiful and ancient St Marys Church. It is the oldest building in Watford and in truth following decades of wanton destruction by the local authorities, one of only a handful of interesting buildings in town. Whilst walking… Continue reading The Fig Tree Tomb of Watford
I’m going to write a new book!
This is a dangerous thing to say in public but I’m going to write a new book. It’s dangerous because I already have a 60% completed novel and a 20% completed non-fiction book on the go. Sadly due to my extremely busy work-load I can’t see myself having the time to complete either of them… Continue reading I’m going to write a new book!
Why our trains are on the wrong track?
I should be living around 35-40 minutes from the centre of London using public transport. As the years go by it is becoming less reality and more theoretical. In fact it can often take me 2-2.5 hours each way and it only seems to be getting progressively worse. One thing people are always happy to… Continue reading Why our trains are on the wrong track?
American perceptions on Britain from tourists.
Working with tourists every day, I often find out that they have some interesting observations or preconceptions about what it is like both in London and the rest of the U.K. Here are a collection of very common comments that I hear on a regular basis with some slightly snide replies from myself! * Almost… Continue reading American perceptions on Britain from tourists.
Quotable Tennyson
Last week I posted on the birthday of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It is little known but this Poet Laureate is actually the ninth most quoted literary figure. Whilst not in the same league as Shakespeare or perhaps as entertaining as Dr. Johnson, it is likely we all are familiar with at least some of… Continue reading Quotable Tennyson
The Welsh street that’s been newly crowned the steepest in the world!
My Grandma lived on one of the steepest streets in Britain, the sort that makes you wonder if you car will make it to the top or if you slip on the pavements, if you will avoid skidding and rolling hundreds of feet to the bottom. So as a person with interest in such oddball… Continue reading The Welsh street that’s been newly crowned the steepest in the world!
Stephen Liddell 