The mixed blessing of reviews

Are you the sort of person who likes to know the truth of what someone thinks of you?  Most people do, some people don’t.  I’m firmly in the latter and would entirely rather not know anyone, at any time, anywhere thinks of me unless it is 100% positive. I know it is said that it… Continue reading The mixed blessing of reviews

Better Together – Scottish Separatist Referendum

For everyone living in the U.K., we’ve all been aware that the big day has been approaching for years (indeed some have been waiting for it for 300 years) whilst for everyone overseas, if you didn’t know there was going to be a referendum in Scotland on thursday then you will soon. As someone born… Continue reading Better Together – Scottish Separatist Referendum

Red sauce, brown sauce or no sauce at all? 15 minutes of fame on the Danny Baker Show

I thought a while on what to title this post.  I settled on 15 minutes of fame for reasons that will become clear but it might as easily be ascribed the title “How I ended up sitting on the throne of the King of Jordan”. Every Saturday morning when I am either out walking or… Continue reading Red sauce, brown sauce or no sauce at all? 15 minutes of fame on the Danny Baker Show

Robin Williams – Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside

The sad news of Robin Williams untimely death this week has brought forth the expected tide of tributes to this man who made millions laugh around the world and rightfully so. He wasn’t ever my favourite comedian, far from it, though I did like Mrs Doubtfire and much of Good Morning Vietnam which sadly I… Continue reading Robin Williams – Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside

WW1: A nation remembers, a family grieves.

With the war memorial services of the last week, I thought that I would share just one or two of several family photos related to WW1. Though I already knew of many of their stories, I did quite a bit of research into those family members that fought and more often than not, died in… Continue reading WW1: A nation remembers, a family grieves.

The Lamps are going out all over Europe

It is now 100 years since this famous phrase was first uttered by Sir Edward Grey to describe the ominous feeling that Europe and perhaps the world was about to slip into a war more bloody than most could ever imagine. His remarks were made on the evening of the 3rd August whilst looking out… Continue reading The Lamps are going out all over Europe

A day out to Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey

I have been having a busy old summer taking guests on trip all around London and southern England but ever since February, I had been looking forward to Thursday 24th July in particular because this was the day that I would finally visit Highclere Castle. It was a long day out we I had collected… Continue reading A day out to Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey

The 2014 Commonwealth Games

Wednesday sees the start of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the third largest multi-sport event after the Olympics and the Asian Games. The Commonwealth Games has been running every 4 years since 1930 and has so far been held in 18 cities around the world.  This years Commonwealth Games is being held in Glasgow. Around 71… Continue reading The 2014 Commonwealth Games

Lest We Forget: A Concise Companion to the First World War (my new book)

My easy to understand but comprehensive history of WW1 in Kindle and Paperback.

I know what you’re thinking.  Stephen can’t be releasing another book.  I know, I know.  I’m sorry.  Long-time readers will know that I spend my summers giving guided tours and during winter I spend most of my time writing and it just so happens that it takes a certain amount of time for books to… Continue reading Lest We Forget: A Concise Companion to the First World War (my new book)

Our village (Leavesden Green) gets a new WW1 memorial

Like many others have done as the 100th anniversary of WW1 or The Great War looms ever closer over for us, our village has been busy working on a new war memorial which is situated at the end of my street.  One of the most popular of my blog posts is that of Armistice Day… Continue reading Our village (Leavesden Green) gets a new WW1 memorial