The place to learn about the past and present,
My two-day hike along the whole Worcestershire Way, from Great Malvern to Bewdley Out of the hundreds of long-distance hiking trails that criss-cross Britain, the Worcestershire Way (WW) starts pretty much right outside my front door, so it seemed only right that I cross this one off my list sooner rather than later. At 31... Continue Reading →
The lowdown on the ten most important Greek cities in the ancient world, their statuses today, and what remains of their archealogical wonders Antioch Antioch may have been a small Greek trading colony before Seleucus I Nicator founded the city shortly after 300 BC. Seleucus was a general of Alexander the Great’s - the Macedonian... Continue Reading →
The lowdown of what Gloucestershire has given Britain, including literature, festivals, food 'n' drink, famous historical figures ...and a Michael Jackson song. My home county is supposably an innocuous corner of the land. A Liverpudlian housemate testily put it once: ‘Gloucestershire is known for NOTHING’. But is Gloucestershire - Glos for short - known for... Continue Reading →
The epic quest Keith Byrne, 10, and Noel Murray, 13, embarked on in 1985 when they managed to travel incognito to New York via ferries, trains and planes. A metallic clang echoed down a bleak Darndale street. The clang of a fizzy-drink can being punted along by a young boy. His hair, fair and ruffled,... Continue Reading →
You've heard of fish 'n' chips but here are seven dishes from across Great Britain that you have to try if you want to really immerse yourself in the culture. 1. Chicken Tikka Masala "Chicken Tikka Masala is now a true British national dish, not only because it is the most popular, but because it... Continue Reading →
These three great American cities were named after their English cousins across the pond. Find out about their history, culture and the attractions they boast to visitors. Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama's towering skyline The ‘Magic City’ was founded in 1871 and was planned from the very beginning to become the massive manufacturing hub it burgeoned into. Today,... Continue Reading →
Some towns are so closely linked to some of the world’s most popular foods and drinks they gave them their name. Here we take a look and find out why these places are such meccas for foodies and connoisseurs. Cheddar, UK West Country Farmhouse Cheddar (coombecastle.com) If you like any cheese at all it will... Continue Reading →
The tiny isle of Lundy has sheltered rebels, eccentrics and even a band of Barbary pirates. This is the story of Lundy’s rich history. Map showing Lundy to the south of the busy Bristol Channel Lundy seems an innocuous island; sitting just 10 nautical miles (19km) off the Devon coastline, it’s a mere three miles... Continue Reading →
My experience of the Czechs and Prague after five years as an expat. (First published in Feb 2019) I arrived in Prague in late 2013 to pursue a life as an ESL teacher and to escape a humdrum existence in the UK, and I’m sure glad I did. The city was so darn great I... Continue Reading →
There are quite a few towns behind the names of famous… ‘stuff’. (the now-renamed) Asbestos in Canada or Balaklava in Ukraine are two examples. Some of these quirky towns really are the centre of the universe for fans of the ‘thing’ and, in this article, we find out about five of these towns, the connections... Continue Reading →
History and Things 