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!
Category: Popular Culture
Posts predominantly related to Popular Culture
I saw a sad, kind man headline the national news yesterday and I cried for he was me.
As many of you will know I’ve spent much of the last 6 months complaining, badgering, writing, harassing and generally making a nuisance of myself to the government in a polite and sarcastic fashion that is uniquely mine. I’m sure you all here know I run a little tour company called Ye Olde England Tours… Continue reading I saw a sad, kind man headline the national news yesterday and I cried for he was me.
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
Remembering Ennio Morricone
I heard early yesterday morning of the death of film composer Ennio Morricone who provided the soundtrack to some of my favourite films. Born in Rome in 1928 while Italy was headed by Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, Morricone learned music from his father, a trumpeter in small orchestras. He went on to compose scores… Continue reading Remembering Ennio Morricone
Echo Chamber Politics – What’s wrong with being offended?
I don’t know how it is where you live but over here, everyone who is anyone conducts interviews or media broadcasts in front of bookshelves. One or two come over as very poor excuses for a bookshelf especially for a politician. Others have those floor to ceiling type bookcases. I’m not sure why everyone has… Continue reading Echo Chamber Politics – What’s wrong with being offended?
Coronavirus Diary 14 – Why thursday’s break the routine
If you’re anything like me then by now you’ve established some sort of routine, even if a very slack and boring one. It’s been over 3 weeks since the official the official notice to not go out unless necessary; 6 weeks since I began properly socially isolating and much longer since life really bore any… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 14 – Why thursday’s break the routine
Coronavirus Diary Supplemental – Self Isolating with a good book!
I wasn’t going to post anything today. Being cooped up inside for week after week and having a work in progress living room where one can live but not yet feel comfortable today offers a rare chance to go in the garden. Last Sunday it was snowing and yet today on Palm Sunday it is… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary Supplemental – Self Isolating with a good book!
Coronavirus Diary 10 – Creatively Self-Isolating
One of the things I love is being creative. I’ve always wanted to be more creative. I’ve written books, penned magazine articles and had the odd television and radio appearance as a nominal ‘expert’ but ever since I creatively started my own business I have had ever decreasing amounts of time to be creative in… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 10 – Creatively Self-Isolating
Spitting Image is back!
It was announced last week that one of my favourite television programmes when growing up is to make a return. To people of a certain age, Spitting Image was an unmissable programme with up to 15 million people tuning in to watch the current affairs of the week being re-enacted by large rubber puppets. By… Continue reading Spitting Image is back!
The life and grave of Little John of Robin Hood fame.
In the ancient ballads of Robin Hood, Little John is traditionally, second in command of Robin Hood’s legendary Merry Men. Little John appears in the very earliest of the surviving Robin Hood tales including the work of Andrew of Wyntoun in 1420 and ‘A Gest of Robyn Hode’ published later that century. The ballad ‘Robin… Continue reading The life and grave of Little John of Robin Hood fame.
Stephen Liddell 