Category Archives: history

Crusts Off!

We’ve all probably eaten a sandwich. Two bits of bread and a filling. I lived on them, to the detriment of my waistline during several phases of my legal career. The fillings morphed from the functional – cheese, ham, tuna … Continue reading

Posted in Friends, history, miscellany | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

Cemeteries Wot I’ve Nown… #Westnorwood

Circling London are seven cemeteries that were created in the early to mid 19th Century to deal with the overcrowding in London’s churchyards and the equally limited space to bury dissenters. The seven – more recently dubbed the Magnificent Seven … Continue reading

Posted in art, history, miscellany, west norwood | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Being Generous: Thoughts On All’s Quiet On The Western Front

Two things had me thinking today. The one year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine and watching the much lauded film, All’s Quiet On The Western Front. I read the book at school and it was too heavy going then. … Continue reading

Posted in history, miscellany, thought piece, WW1 | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments

The World Reimagined

This tour covers about three to four miles around the city of London. For convenience, I started at Mansion House tube – it was a Sunday, a day when public transport tends to be the subject of various last minute … Continue reading

Posted in art, history, London, miscellany | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Why History Is Based On A Horse’s Ass…

I love this sort of stuff. You may have seen it already, but it tickled me. ‘The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. That’s an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used? … Continue reading

Posted in history, miscellany | Tagged | 27 Comments

History Repeats

‘She’s there, just by the shore.’ Sarah glanced nervously at Martine, hoping for some response. Any response. ‘How far?’ Sarah sighed. Martine was like the others. ‘About 200 yards, at two o’clock. She’s staring out to sea.’ Of course she … Continue reading

Posted in history, short story | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Week Five: 2022

I’ve been running around rabbit holes this week. I blame David. He may be a friend but he got me thinking about the story of how my grandparents – mum’s mum and dad – came to marry. I will write … Continue reading

Posted in families, history, miscellany | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

What Did The Victorians Ever Do For Us #crystalpalace

As with Monty Python and the People’s Front of Judeah listing what the Romans missed, so we can often forget the genius of some Victorians. One such near me was the creation of the Crystal Palace which was reconstructed on … Continue reading

Posted in history, London, miscellany | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

A Short History Of Climate Change Conferences #history

‘Where’s dad?’ ‘Watching the clouds.’ ‘It’s verging on paranoia, you know.’ ‘I know that but try telling him. The Big Guy says this, the Big Guy says that. You know what he’s like when he’s had one of those apocalyptical … Continue reading

Posted in cats, history, humour, miscellany | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Unintended Consequences: The Pub And The Pandemic

I was enjoying a socially distanced walk with a friend today and we began to reminisce about cosy pubs and welcoming restaurants. At the moment, the weather is bitter – the Beast From The Baltic is battering us on the … Continue reading

Posted in history, thought piece | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments