The Syriac Church

When I read the Holy See I think it’s the Sea of Galilee, that’s how dumb I am. To slightly digress, my sister had a friend called “dumb chum” – I must ask her to remind me of DC’s identity.

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Categorised as Religion

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

The Tortoise and the Hare

“A huge articulated Pirelli truck and an E type Jaguar car pass and repass along Italy’s breathtaking Autostrada Del Sole, to the accompaniment of jazz, pop and Vivaldi music.”

Lunch with M

You may remember General Raymond E Lee from a recent post: the General’s Moustache. Well I have now got his London Journal which consists of his letters to his wife (and young daughter) living in America while he was serving as Military Attaché in London, 1940-1941.

Hone, Piper and Barillet

The oldest building in Wellingborough is All Hallows, Grade I Listed, dating from 1160. I was in Northamptonshire again this week to see the 20th century windows at All Hallows.

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Categorised as Art

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

Lamplighters

I have recently re-read Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (John le Carré, 1974) in which lamplighters are the dogsbodies of British intelligence doing surveillance and courier work.

Another Blot

It used to be called the Cherry Blossom roundabout – not because of a profusion of flowering cherry trees but because of the proximity of a smelly shoe polish manufacturer: Cherry Blossom.

Baltic Booze

Cast your mind back to 1608. James I was on the English throne – the first Stuart monarch – the Moores were living at Barmeath and the Bellews at Lisrenny.