US Election Update

Five months ago (Donald Trump Lives on a High Floor with a Low Ceiling) guest blogger, Edward (Ned) York explained why he thought Hilary Clinton would win. Let’s see how the candidates are doing and if he has changed his mind – over to you, Ned.

Wexford Opera

Wexford weather can be a bit chancy but this weekend the sky is blue and the Irish Sea sparkling.  John Barry stands, sword in hand, looking out to sea, not the composer of music for James Bond films, but Wexford born John Barry who was a founder of the United States navy. Behind him the… Continue reading Wexford Opera

Don’t Sleep in the Subway

Oil is not above $75, the Labour party has not split and Don Cossack did not win The King George VI Chase at Kempton Park – all predictions made here – but I was right about something.

Zeppelin – Part Three

If you are up to speed on the Zeppelin story you can skip this bit. If you aren’t, my grandfather’s half-brother Courtenay Bellew, while serving in the Irish Guards as a 2nd Lt. in 1916, was sent to guard the wreckage of a Zeppelin that had been shot down in Essex. He stole two valves… Continue reading Zeppelin – Part Three

Zeppelin – Part Two

Yesterday we left two wrecked Zeppelins in Essex early on the morning of 24th September 1916. The Irish Guards were sent to secure the area around the burnt-out remains of L32 not far from Billericay. 

Zeppelin – Part One

On the night of 23/24 September 1916 four Zeppelins flew over England. Only one returned from this mission. One was shot down near Potters Bar (the crew all died) and two came down in Essex. The one pictured, L2, is not one of them. (It had already come down in flames as a result of… Continue reading Zeppelin – Part One

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Categorised as History

The Flemish Panel

In April this year I wrote about Spanish author, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, and his novels. What better place to pick one up than in Valencia.

Wild Cat

Maybe it’s because opera tickets are often expensive but there is a tendency to play safe and book old favourites. The mantra “there’s always a good reason for it being rarely performed” is often recited. However, Wexford only perform rarities and Valencia are putting on something by Manuel Penella – que?.

Churrigueresque

After finding the Holy Grail in yesterday’s post, today’s can only come as a disappointment but read on, in case you don’t know who wrote Luke’s Gospel.

Bon Dia

Valentia is one of the most westerly points in Ireland, lying off the South-West coast of Kerry, connected to the mainland by a bridge. If you want to go there be careful not to buy a ticket for Valencia – and vice versa.