Communism
Overland to Russia, Part Three
“So how are things in Russia today?” The taxi driver was a burly, working-class man in his 50s; I imagined a brickie now too old for the game. He thought briefly and mumbled a reply [more…]
Hobbies
Collecting
An odd obsession
There is a saying that one chainsaw is too many, but 10 is not enough…. I have fidddled about with mechanical things all my life – not only because of the enjoyment but because of [more…]
Animals
Larry’s Diary, Week Three Hundred And Seven
Monday Good morning my friends, dry but very chilly this morning when I popped out. The story doing the rounds here in Number 10 is that the Ginger Growler is on manoeuvres to challenge Legohead [more…]
History
Postcard From Northumbria, Part Two
The second half of our trip into Northumberland started with a drive into the countryside to the village of Heatherslaw which is the home of the furthest north narrow-gauge steam railway in England. The Heatherslaw [more…]
Culture
A View From The Sofa; Ennui And Pain
I’ve hardly been out of the house since I got out of hospital. I’m sure some of you will know what it’s like, believing you’re fifty four when you’re actually twenty years older than that [more…]
Animals
Larry’s Diary, Week Three Hundred And Six
Monday Good morning my friends, a horrible grey and wet morning today. It makes a change not to be reporting Legohead’s problems this morning but instead taking about the BBC. It is rudderless this morning, [more…]
History
Postcard From Northumberland, Part One
Some time back, Mrs JT decided we needed another break and arranged to rent a remote holiday let in Northumberland. I have been suffering from a chronic chest infection for most of the year but [more…]
Animals
Larry’s Diary, Week Three Hundred And Five
Monday Good morning, my friends. Back to the old routine, a trip down the chilly garden before my Felix. The Robber Reeves house rental saga got a bit worse over the weekend when it emerged [more…]
Arts
Ocean-to-Ocean, Part 10
The ultimate destination of this Ocean-to-Ocean trip, which started in Southampton six weeks ago, is the small town of Tofino, right on the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island. It’s not the most westerly point in [more…]