19th Century
Oysters 2½ Ways
“O Oysters,’ said the Carpenter, You’ve had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?’ But answer came there none — And this was scarcely odd, because They’d eaten every one.” The final verse [more…]
History
20th Century
The Spitfire, of course, Part 2
A couple of years ago I wrote an article here concerning the design of the Spitfire and questioned its status as the best fighter of WWII. I mentioned in that article a follow up piece [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Penarth
A little confession first. This is a bit of a cheat ‘postcard’ because, although I have visited this lovely seaside town many times, I also lived there for a blissful year or so, overlooking Cardiff [more…]
19th Century
South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company
It is obvious from many of the articles that appear on this website that history and mechanical things are of interest. So here is one that combines the two, the history of a railroad and [more…]
19th Century
The Rise and Fall of the British Police
In light of the recent abominable and unprofessional behaviour, during riots and public demonstrations, by members of what used to be a well-respected British police force — together with their now routine displays of a [more…]
20th Century
Building a nation of psychopaths
It is us, the new radicals, a Labour party modernised, that must undertake this historic mission. To liberate Britain, from all the old class divisions, old structures, old prejudices, old ways of working and of [more…]
Arts
Some sad truths about the modern police
Followers of my blogs will know I have long been critical of the modern police ‘service’. It is slightly unfair to divorce police from CPS, political & Home Office failure but a start has to [more…]
20th Century
The Desert War – June 1940
80 years ago this month the North African Campaign, or Desert War kicked off. On one side were the Italians, desperately trying to expand their Empire in Africa, on the other were the British who [more…]
History
Attila The Hun’s Trousers
Attila the Hun burst, ferociously and irrevocably, into Western European consciousness in 451AD. Following the route that would be taken by German armies in 1914 and 1940 he led his forces along the banks of [more…]