Category: History

Îles de France

Almost three thousand miles west of France lie eight islands with a population today of 5,500 people and terrain not unlike the Falkland Islands. The similarity does not end there; both were recaptured in the 20th century.

The John Blake Conspiracy

“How five art dealers, four policemen, three picture restorers, two auction houses and a journalist plotted to recover some of the world’s most beautiful stolen paintings.” ( Double Dealer by Peter Watson, dust jacket)

Polar Power

I started writing here eleven years ago. I thought I might be bored not having to get up and go to work. Strange, because I always had a range of interests beyond my job.

Chinatown

Old signage like this is a reminder of how swiftly cities change. Actually if they don’t adapt they become fossilised tourist attractions or worse.

How the Brigadier Lost His Ear

I think it’s time to reassess Conan Doyle’s Brigadier Gerard stories. I last read them more than half a century ago. Now I find them both funnier and much more interesting.

The Finnish Boys

Sometimes ignorance makes me chicken out of something but then I find out. Earlier this year, in the forest cemetery outside Tallinn, I saw a memorial to “The Finnish Boys”.

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Categorised as History