Earlier this week an amazing tale came to light about a British Army officer who had been captured during World War One and who learnt that his mother was dying and so was granted the freedom to return home on the condition that he returned back to the POW camp. As the 100th anniversary of… Continue reading The Prisoner of War who took ‘keeping a promise’ to the extreme
Tag: Culture
The Secrets of The Real Downton Abbey
September sees the return to our televisions screens of Downton Abbey in the UK and in January to the USA (more on that in the next week or two). Downton Abbey is actually the real life home of Lord Carnarvon at Highclere Castle set in a massive estate in the beautiful Hampshire countryside. Whilst the… Continue reading The Secrets of The Real Downton Abbey
102 great words that aren’t in English but should be!
I spent 4 years at a college in London University studying Africa and Asia. It was the most wonderful place due to the exposure of various languages and cultures and when I say various I mean hundreds. I remember one day on the train thinking to myself how many countries I had friends from. Given… Continue reading 102 great words that aren’t in English but should be!
Eyam – The Plague Village of Self Sacrifice
Of all the posts I have written in the last year or so, one of the most popular has been on The Black Death or The Plague as it is known. This week it was revealed the archaeological work continues right beneath the streets of one of the busiest parts of London with the graves… Continue reading Eyam – The Plague Village of Self Sacrifice
Everybodys free to write (and wear sunscreen)
About 15 years ago I bought a book entitled “All I Really Need to Know I learned from Star Trek”, it became one of several philosophical type books about Star Trek that are scattered around my bookshelves, I’m not entirely sure where they all are, partially as I lend them out or my Uncle takes… Continue reading Everybodys free to write (and wear sunscreen)
Speaking up for Introverts!
The world is split into two types of people, me and everyone else. More helpful than that, it is divided between Introverts and Extroverts. The world is ruled and dominated by extroverts, perhaps because introverts don’t want to speak up. Introverts make up roughly a third of the general population but are often overlooked or… Continue reading Speaking up for Introverts!
Falling out of love, with Football
Today is the one year anniversary since the London 2012 Olympics. I’ve said how much before I enjoyed it but what I didn’t realise at the time would be how it changed sport for me and it seems I’m not the only one. In Britain, the number 1 sport is and usually was football (soccer)… Continue reading Falling out of love, with Football
It’s a boy! New successor to the British Crown.
Yesterday will go down in history, not only was it the hottest day since 2006 but at 4.24pm a new successor to the throne was born. For a couple of weeks the worlds press has been camped around the streets outside St. Mary’s hospital in London awaiting the birth of the first child of Kate… Continue reading It’s a boy! New successor to the British Crown.
The Man Who Planted Trees and The Green Wall of Africa
About five years ago, I watched part of a short animated film entitled The Man Who Planted Trees. It is the most lovely short French film (an English version can be viewed here) and it tells the story of a man in an early 20thC European Alpine valley that was desolate and empty of life… Continue reading The Man Who Planted Trees and The Green Wall of Africa
Glastonbury – Then and Now
This weekend sees the world-famous musical festival in the sleepy Somerset town of Glastonbury. From out of nowhere a new city of around 180,000 people will settle down in the fields to enjoy music, dance and traditionally lots of mud. More of that later as the festival is only the latest event that has attracted… Continue reading Glastonbury – Then and Now
Stephen Liddell 