As the signs of autumn grow towards winter and the leaves turn from green to a carpet of crisp oranges and golds around me, I am reminded of the same season twenty five years ago, which was one of those times that had a major impact on my life, but as is often the case…
I mentioned recently that one of the things the Macau is famous for is Formula Three, and on my recent trip there, I went to visit the Macau Grand Prix museum. The Macau Grand Prix, as you might be aware, is a street race with various categories of motorbike and car racing, and is held…
I found myself in Carnlough, a village on the pretty County Antrim coast recently, on the famously scenic Antrim Coast Road. I do find it odd, though, that the area’s use as a location for parts of Game of Thrones seems to have done more for tourism there than so many of the previous attempts…
You may have heard the story of the Dornier 17 – or rather, the Dornier Do-17 – aircraft that was rescued from the bottom of the English Channel in June 2013. The aircraft had been shot down in 1940 as part of the Battle of Britain, and when it was recovered, it was believed to…
This week (5th February 2014) saw the 90th birthday of a British institution that is very familiar every time that it is encountered, and one which many might think now lacks relevance, yet is still fondly appreciated by its many fans. It was, of course, time to say Happy Birthday to The Pips. The Pips,…
Today is the 4th December, and no doubt there are plenty of people advanced in their Christmas planning and Christmas party season – I’m off to my first Christmas lunch of the year today – but there are a few other interesting things about today. 142 years ago, on the 4th December 1871, the…
Of the various cultural items that represent Australia to the outside world, one of the most instantly recognisable, both visually and audibly, is the didgeridoo. What is more unusual and less well known is the origin of didgeridoo. I don’t mean the origin of the didgeridoo – the instrument – itself but rather, the word.…
I recently posted some photos from Classics on the Common, the annual classic car show in the Hertfordshire town of Harpenden. I was fortunate enough last weekend, over the bank holiday, to visit the Blenheim Palace Festival of Transport, which included a classic car show, with of course, the backdrop of the stunning palace and…
I have mentioned various events at Moira Furness, including some 1940s entertainment, and the Moira Canal Festival there, complete with Morris Dancing. When I went to have a look around on Sunday, 11th August, I found that it was presenting yet another interesting historical event, this time a 1910s event. There were various items on…
I went to the Classics on the Common event in Harpenden this week, which is a series of classic vehicles that are presented on the various green areas in the centre of the Hertfordshire town. The event has been going on for twenty years now, and there were several hundred vehicles – of various forms…
I mentioned previously about some of the great sites from various parts of our history that are managed by English Heritage, and among these is Ashby de la Zouch castle. As the name suggests, the town has a Norman connection, with the castle dating back to a 12th Century fortified manor house, which was extended…
I spent a rather pleasant afternoon yesterday admiring the exhibits in one of the UK’s hidden gems, the Mossman collection. In case you have not heard of it – and many have not – it is the country’s largest collection of horse drawn carriages. Some may look familiar, including a chariot from Ben Hur, a…