Longest reign over us – Queen Elizabeth II becomes our longest serving monarch in history

Today is one of those typically historic but low-level sort of days when The Queen becomes the longest serving British monarch in history, surpassing the magnificent reign of Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years and 216 days and died in January 1901. The precise moment that The Queen will break the record is believed… Continue reading Longest reign over us – Queen Elizabeth II becomes our longest serving monarch in history

The Queen – Her powers, perks and privileges.

It seems likely that September 9th will see Queen Elizabeth II surpass the achievement of her Great Grandmother, Queen Victoria, and become the longest ever serving monarch in British history.   Whilst the role of the monarch has long since been transformed from the potentially tyrannical approach taken by some of her forebears, it is… Continue reading The Queen – Her powers, perks and privileges.

Let Me Help – Doing more than feeling sorry for those in need.

I’ve written before about being A Good Samaritan.  I spend a lot of time thinking about those in need.  Whether it is homeless persons or those fallen on hard times in other ways such as ex-service people.    Even my first book was called Let Me Help before it I re-wrote it and got it published… Continue reading Let Me Help – Doing more than feeling sorry for those in need.

Photos from St. Paul’s Cathedral

This Monday I had the chance to do something I don’t get to do very often and that is enjoy London as a tourist.  It’s easy when you live and work here to get bogged down with the traffic congestion and crowds and not make the most of the place.  So on MondaI went and… Continue reading Photos from St. Paul’s Cathedral

Visiting places from the movies or Shaken, not stirred – My new James Bond tour of London

Many of you know that when not writing my little heart out, I run and guide private guided tours with my company, Ye Olde England Tours.  One of my most popular tours I run is one dedicated to Sherlock Holmes and particularly the BBC series Sherlock where I take fans of the super sleuth and… Continue reading Visiting places from the movies or Shaken, not stirred – My new James Bond tour of London

75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain – This was our finest hour

Today marks the start of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the skies of London will be treated once again to the familiar sights and sounds of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers.  As strange as it sounds, I think the sound of a Spitfire Merlin engine is possibly the best man-made noise… Continue reading 75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain – This was our finest hour

Mad dogs and Englishmen

You might not realise it if you live elsewhere but for today at least London is about the hottest city on planet earth, not including Paris and err New Delhi.  It’s easy for everyone to scoff at the idea that we aren’t living in the hottest place on earth, especially if you happen to live… Continue reading Mad dogs and Englishmen

My first England Grand Tour

I’ve been very busy these last few weeks with my tours but wanted to share a little about one particular tour as it was a first, well at least for me.  The last 8 days or so I have been giving a guided tour to four lovely ladies from the USA.  I’ve now given over… Continue reading My first England Grand Tour

VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!

The 8th May 1945 was V.E. Day or Victory in Europe Day.  As the U.K. is in the midst of remembering and celebrating perhaps the most momentous day in our history,  I thought it would be interesting to post some old photos of that incredible day as well as showing how war had left London and… Continue reading VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!

A Guided Tour Inside The Houses Of Parliament

The last year or so I have probably visited Parliament a dozen times but always from the outside.  I’ve been in before when I was about 10 years and remember bits and pieces of the interior and especially inside the famous clock tower of Big Ben and the unusual scenario of being deafened by the… Continue reading A Guided Tour Inside The Houses Of Parliament