Very Sad Poetry Book – Cover Art For My New Book

They say there is no money in poetry but there is no poetry in money. Some things though are more important than money like ones soul. I’ve deliberately chosen a genre very different than any I have written before and indeed a very difficult genre as I want further my education as a writer and… Continue reading Very Sad Poetry Book – Cover Art For My New Book

Edith Cavell – Patriotism Is Not Enough

Many of us are familiar with the phrase “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel”, a quote that remains as true today as it was when it was first coined and is still evident by many politicians in particular around the world.  Not so many people though are familiar with the equally if not… Continue reading Edith Cavell – Patriotism Is Not Enough

Sights from the moors

During our days out on holiday we spent quite a lot of time just driving around.  The weather was entirely perfect every day and we all enjoyed just being somewhere where there were no people and often no birds or animals either.  There aren’t many places in England where you an drive around for an… Continue reading Sights from the moors

Britain and America – Two countries separated by a common language

In the last day or two, Scott Waters from Florida has hit the headlines after his recent stay in the U.K. with his list of generally complimentary things he has to say about our country.  I must say he makes us and Britain sound like a nice place. Feeling in a sarcastic mood and with… Continue reading Britain and America – Two countries separated by a common language

Day 5 of my holiday – Killhope Lead Mine

As I mentioned in previous holiday posts, the entire area of NorthEast England is rich in heavy industry and particularly mining history. Despite there being centuries more material underground, most mines are now closed as it is somehow supposedly more economical to get raw materials from China or Australia. Just a 3 or 4 miles… Continue reading Day 5 of my holiday – Killhope Lead Mine

Visiting the magical land behind a waterfall and underground caving!

So far on our holiday no two days had been the same and this was to be no different. After doing a soot of shopping in Alston, the highest market town in England, we headed east over the Peninnes and moors into neighbouring County Durham. Though perhaps common place in larger or less densely populated… Continue reading Visiting the magical land behind a waterfall and underground caving!

Castlerigg Stone Circle and the Lakes

Following my early morning walk to the abandoned mine, we headed out for a day of touring. We headed towards The Lake District, a large area designated a National Park containing many of England’s highest mountains and numerous large lakes as well as smaller lakes or tarns situated high up in the mountains as a… Continue reading Castlerigg Stone Circle and the Lakes

Fell walking and an abandoned mine

Early on Tuesday morning I decided to take advantage of the dry weather and walk up a Fell (the local term for the high moors in this part of the world). I really really like the outdoors and the lack of people, cars, planes and avoiding anything in anyway 21st century. The moors are generally… Continue reading Fell walking and an abandoned mine

Holiday day 3… The Beamish Open Air museum

It’s often said that one never visits the touristic places near to where one lives. I never went on the London Eye until a family from Chicago paid me too. The Beamish Open Air Museum is a likely unique museum dedicated to preserving and informing future generations about the special industrial heritage of working class… Continue reading Holiday day 3… The Beamish Open Air museum

Alston Holiday -Day 2 Hexham and Hadrians Wall

For day two of our holiday we visited the lively little market town of Hexham, notable for amongst other things its magnificent Abbey Cathedral. People have worshipped on this site for nearly 1400 years.    On top of the moors and in my “home” county. Whitfield Church in an area known as Little Switerzland      Hexham Abbey  … Continue reading Alston Holiday -Day 2 Hexham and Hadrians Wall