Category: History

Lord Dundonald

I have been to Westminster Abbey twice and both visits were for memorial services; Lord Hailsham and Dame Joan Sutherland.  A few days ago I paid a third visit, as a tourist.

A Spy in the Family

In the 1980s I was introduced to Patrick O’Brian’s novels about Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin (it’s curious that the series does not have a title). Like so many others, I became hooked on the detailed descriptions of life on board a Royal Navy ship in the early years of the 19th century. The depth… Continue reading A Spy in the Family

Sisi

The Empress Elisabeth of Austria is known for championing Hungary and being assassinated by an Italian anarchist in Geneva in 1898. In Ireland she is remembered for hunting with the Meath.

A Passionate Potamolator

Hugh Trevor-Roper describes himself as a passionate potamolator* in a 1944 entry in The Wartime Journals. I am gratified to discover that, in a small way, I am one too.

The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore

It was Gordon Brown, I think, who said that the time to fix the roof is when the sun’s shining. What a load of cobblers politicians, who have usually never done a day’s work in their lives, talk.

War Artists

Francis Plowden comments that a picture of HMS Glorious (see Sea Eagles and Hurricanes) can be seen at the Dulwich Picture Gallery until the end of this month.

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Categorised as Art, History

‘Planes and a Ship

“Tombé, tombé, tombé”, the band sing and children happily obey, hopping up and down in their wet weather gear on a drizzly Thursday morning in Brodø

Every Blog Needs a Dog

Bodø is as far north as Norwegian railway (NSB) goes. The train will cross the Arctic Circle. Will the backpackers on the train celebrate the event as if it were the Equator? Let’s see.