One of the things about having an Electrician in your house for 4 days when you’re not allowed to be in the same building as anyone is that you can’t be in the same building with anyone. And when there is no electricity and no sofa to sit on, what would be the point in… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 46 – Hiding in the garden with lemonade and a new friend
Coronavirus Diary 45 – Paint me like one of your French girls
Every day since I took delivery of my little front garden bench, I have had an early morning cup of tea there. The road is always quiet and I share my time between watching the sun rising higher in the sky and watching the birds, bees and butterflies fleeting around my vista. These days the… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 45 – Paint me like one of your French girls
Visiting the grave of W.S Gilbert – the very model of a modern Major-General
One of the main things I waned to find on my walk I wrote about on Monday was the grave of W S Gilbert. I’m used to finding obscure graves amongst hundreds thousands in cemeteries a mile or more in length so finding this couldn’t have been easier. W. S Gilbert was one half of… Continue reading Visiting the grave of W.S Gilbert – the very model of a modern Major-General
Coronavirus Diary 44 – One good turn deserves another
A few days ago I was the lucky recipient of a Box of Delights of fresh fruit and vegetables which came via local farms from Chicago! And if that wasn’t enough then the below photo doesn’t even cover all of it. There is plenty more too and I now have almost a years supply of… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 44 – One good turn deserves another
The ruined church of St John the Evangelist in Stanmore
With the never ending lock-down being met with never ending warm weather, I decided to go and join up the dots of my new Stanmore tour which I actually worked out dreamt up whilst writing my blog posts on the area in the last few weeks. For a spot of quirky history and some good… Continue reading The ruined church of St John the Evangelist in Stanmore
Coronavirus Diary 43 – Self Isolating without electricity
My Coronavirus Self-Isolation took a step further towards feeling further like a solitary confinement in prison last week as I managed to get an electrician who was able to come into my new but ancient house. Initially I only wanted some very minor work doing but as is the way with things, it all escalated… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 43 – Self Isolating without electricity
Coronavirus Diary 42 – Necessity is the mother of invention
I started Ye Olde England Tours in 2013. As far as I know, I was the first person in Britain to do what I do. In fact I was so pioneering that I was thrown off Viator/Trip Advisor as back then such activities were very tightly controlled on that website and you have very certifications… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 42 – Necessity is the mother of invention
That time the Queen hid in a bush to avoid her guests…. yes really!
All of us have to deal with people that we don’t like, particularly those of us who work in public facing jobs. Some of us even avoid people at home; I know I have hid in the bath one dark evening and in a wardrobe to have a bit of peace and quiet to myself.… Continue reading That time the Queen hid in a bush to avoid her guests…. yes really!
Good reasons to visit Barnard Castle! But maybe not now Dominic Cummings
Over the weekend all hell has blown up in the Westminster media bubble due to the ‘loathed’ Dominic Cummings chief advisor to Boris Johnson seeking a hideout in County Durham, 260 miles away from London. To me, I don’t really see what the big deal is and it is curious that those accusing someone of… Continue reading Good reasons to visit Barnard Castle! But maybe not now Dominic Cummings
The 900 year old Swan Upping ceremony is cancelled
It is an historic Royal ceremony that has taken place annually for the last 900 years but the Coronavirus means that for only the second time, this ancient practice of counting the swans on the River Thames has been cancelled for the year. The Swan Upping census lasts for five days and was due to… Continue reading The 900 year old Swan Upping ceremony is cancelled
Stephen Liddell 