Category: Uncategorized

Camping in Korea

They don’t make them like that any more. It’s what my generation say about a previous generation in a way implying standards slipping, world going to the dogs, things ain’t what they used to be.

On Hackney Coaches

An almost contemporary of Sir Walter is Sir Thomas Lipton – both successful self-made men from humble beginnings. Like Walter, Thomas Lipton was a friend of Edward VII leading the Kaiser to mock the king for going boating with his grocer. He already went carriage driving with his wine merchant. That says much about social… Continue reading On Hackney Coaches

A Hero of the Baltic

Admiral Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair inherited the House of the Northern Gate from his uncle, Mr. Thomson-Sinclair. With its majestic views of the ocean and extensive coastline interspersed with inlets, bays, and sandy beaches, the estate must have appealed to the lifelong navy officer. Sinclair’s navy career spanned 1879 to 1930 and brought him across the world… Continue reading A Hero of the Baltic

The Secret Sin

When I was at Pratt’s yesterday, where the staff are always called George or Georgina, I was reminded of Saki’s short story: The Secret Sin of Septimus Brope.

Into the West

Driving along the elevated section of the M4 there may be time to contemplate the view when traffic is at a standstill.

A Similarity

This is about a septuagenarian writing a blog. Do you see a similarity?

Go to Jail

“The World Prison Brief (WPB) is a unique database that provides free access to information about prison systems throughout the world. It was launched in 2000 using data compiled by Roy Walmsley, Founder of the World Prison Brief. Country information is updated on a monthly basis, using data largely derived from governmental or other official… Continue reading Go to Jail

My NBF

A recent post, Barons Court Station, was written by AI and was acceptable. It harvested content from Historic England and Wikipedia.

Pratfall

When I was a child I used to save the best bit, the icing on the cake perhaps, until last. My grandmother warned me of the danger this posed. When she was a child she put the glacé cherries on the side of her plate to savour last. A woman promptly leant over her and… Continue reading Pratfall