20th Century
The Desert War – November 1941
We reach November 80 years ago. In the 16 or so months since the start of the campaign in June 1940 we have seen us nibble at the Italians in Libya, the Italians attack us [more…]
History
20th Century
Mystery Album, Part Eleven
As we turn another page of our Mystery Album, it is not too difficult to identify the next sepia print. Any Puffin who has ever strolled along Federiksgade in the direction of Rosenborg Slot, perhaps [more…]
20th Century
My Legends of Pop Music – Part Twenty – Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music
If get this right, there will be many cover versions by future bands. I shall try and link live versions if they exist from the tellybox or a film, the sound quality may not be [more…]
20th Century
Postcard From Summer 1954, Part Five – Llandudno
In 1954, the Manchester Evening News launched a “Special Investigation” and tasked my uncle, John Alldridge, with answering the question – Holidaymakers, do you get value for your MONEY? What follows is his report on [more…]
21st Century
Return to the Inferno
Set thirty years in the future As I reclined upon a heavenly cloud, Imbibing a celestial Chianti, I heard a voice crying my name aloud; ‘Twas Virgil in his toga, calling, ‘Dante, There’s work to [more…]
19th Century
Not Just a Walk in the Park
It has been a challenging couple of years for us all, and I suspect that our trials and tribulations are a long way from over. Thus, as the autumn temperatures drop away to winter’s chills, [more…]
20th Century
Mystery Album, Part Ten
In this instalment of Mystery Album, some of our wealthy mystery family are off for a walk in the Swaledale countryside. While the ladies are elsewhere doing lady things, stout shoes (rather than walking boots) [more…]
20th Century
My Legends of Pop Music – Part Nineteen – Blondie
If get this right, there will be many cover versions by future bands. I shall try and link live versions if they exist from the tellybox or a film, the sound quality may not be [more…]
Arts
A Postcard From Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey (or Abaty Tyndryn if you speak Welsh) was founded on 9th May 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow. It is located near the border between Wales and England (Gloucestershire) on the [more…]