Into the East

I am a fan of Tony Scotland’s books, as you may remember from previous posts. His latest has transported me to Eastern Europe in 1989. Tony explains how the book came about in his Introduction.

Ruler of the Queen’s Navy

In a recent comment John mentioned that the First Sea Lord’s flagship is HMS Victory. At lunch yesterday I was asked what the difference is between the FSL and the Admiral of the Fleet.

Books and Maps

“The British Library holds more than 150 million items in its collection. British Library Publishing actively publish from the Library’s collection to bring forgotten stories and original non-fiction to new audiences.  We publish thought-provoking books to showcase unexpected treasures from our collections, including maps, manuscripts, great works of literature and rare books.   We are also… Continue reading Books and Maps

HMS Victory

A wet Monday morning in November, in school term-time, may not sound the ideal conditions for a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard but better than the crowds in summer.

Published
Categorised as History

Dulcibella

This oil, Fetching Water, by Martyn Mackerill depicts an event in Erskine Childers’ 1903 classic, The Riddle of the Sands.

Pompey

Pompey’s Pillar is a Roman triumphal column not built in memory of the emperor Pompey (106 – 48 BC), as you might expect, but to honour Diocletian (284 – 305 AD). It stands at the eastern side of the temenos of the Serapeum of Alexandria, which is now in ruins. So you have two obscure… Continue reading Pompey

Empire

At least twenty years ago I found I was using my small television as an unplugged, sofa-side coffee table and paying for a TV licence. More recently I found I can watch television using an iPad (and I have a TV licence again).

Gin Palace

I had two memorable holidays in Hong Kong in the 1980s, staying with my newly wed cousins.

Adie and Button

“The high regard for modern architecture and design today is arguably the work of Pioneers of Modern Design. Originally published in 1936 as Pioneers of the Modern Movement, this book by the late art historian Nikolaus Pevsner laid the foundation for the recognition of “modern design” by lining up a progressive historical narrative to explain the… Continue reading Adie and Button

Green Park

While it is correct to call it The Green Park it is pedantic and if the knowledgable Andrew Jones eschews the definite article so will I.