History
The Road Back to Normandy
In May 1954 my uncle John Alldridge returned to Normandy. This is his report for the Manchester Evening News. The lines at the end are by A E Housman They are building a new motor [more…]
France
20th Century
The French Are Revolting
On Monday, July 12th, Oberfuerher E. Minus MacRunt’s inveterate psychopathy morphed into full blown psychosis. He had his lackeys dig out the 1942 ordinance below, whited out the word “Jew”, replaced it with “Unvaksinated Vurmin”, [more…]
Animals
Larry’s Diary, Week One Hundred and Four
Monday Morning humans. What a lovely quiet weekend with Bozzie’s clan at Chequers for the weekend and the Dreamies girl feeding me. I must say she is most attentive. Always makes sure my drinking bowl [more…]
Islam
“Soldiers of France”
A fortnight ago, I was asked if I might translate the open letter signed by retired French generals warning the government of the very real possibility of a civil war in France. It was felt [more…]
Arts
Postcard From November, Part 5
Happy Birthday to Me My birthday is November 4th and as a child my main memory of it was always of my parents laying on a party for my friends who all turned up bearing [more…]
Arts
Postcard From November, Part 3
Happy Birthday to Me My birthday is November 4th and as a child my main memory of it was always of my parents laying on a party for my friends who all turned up bearing [more…]
Arts
Confessions of a campsite courier, Part 3
Il jouait du piano debout C’est peut-être un détail pour vous Mais pour moi, ça veut dire beaucoup Ça veut dire qu’il était libre Heureux d’être là malgré tout Il jouait du piano debout Il [more…]
19th Century
Every Picture Tells a Story
Puffins, Puffins, pay attention, please. Free time is over, so put away your things and we are going to have a nice story, so gather over here, make a circle on the floor all around [more…]
Arts
Confessions of a campsite courier, Part 2
Je vous parle d’un temps Que les moins de vingt ans Ne peuvent pas connaître ….. C’est là qu’on s’est connu Moi qui criait famine Et toi qui posais nue….. Charles Aznavour – La Bohème [more…]