Cornwall mini series Part 9: St Michael’s Mount

This is the ninth in a series of short reflections on places in Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. St Michael’s Mount is just off the coast at Marazion but may be reached on foot by the causeway when the tide is out. It is one of those places which has aContinue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 9: St Michael’s Mount”

Cornwall mini series Part 8: The Screech Owl Sanctuary

This is the eighth in a series of short reflections on places in north Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. The Screech Owl Sanctuary is located near St Columb Major (where we were staying when we visited). This is home not only to a collection of beautiful, talented owls full of personality,Continue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 8: The Screech Owl Sanctuary”

Cornwall mini series Part 7: Trerice

This is the seventh in a series of short reflections on places in north Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. Trerice is an Elizabethan manor house set in well-kept gardens, not far from St Columb Major (where we were staying when we visited). It is at Newlyn East, near Newquay. It isContinue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 7: Trerice”

Cornwall mini series Part 6: Truro

This is the sixth in a series of short reflections on places in Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. Truro is a fascinating city and in particular the cathedral is a beguiling gothic style edifice constructed in Victorian times. We attended Evensong there which was a meditative, calming experience, standing in theContinue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 6: Truro”

Cornwall mini series Part 5: Port Isaac

This is the fifth in a series of short reflections on places in north Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. Port Isaac is an exquisite fishing village with so many breathtaking views. It seems that from every angle there is another gorgeous picture waiting to be captured. SC Skillman psychological, paranormal andContinue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 5: Port Isaac”

Cornwall mini series Part 4: The Lost Gardens of Heligan

This is the fourth in a series of short reflections on places in Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. The Lost Gardens of Heligan are an example of beauty recovered from loss and neglect following the devastation of War. Their recovery again emerged from the vision of Tim Smit who then wentContinue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 4: The Lost Gardens of Heligan”

Cornwall mini series Part 3: The Eden Project

This is the third in a series of short reflections on places in Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. The Eden Project is now famous for its extraordinary vision, which emerged from the original idea of one man, Tim Smit. And now it is a glorious display of the wonders of thisContinue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 3: The Eden Project”

Book Review: the Girl with Seven Names: Escape From North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee

A powerful, emotionally engaging and sometimes shocking account by a very courageous woman. Through her own shrewdness, presence of mind and intelligence, Hyeonseo managed to transform her life and that of her family by escaping from North Korea at the age of 17, undergoing a long and hazardous journey through China, and ultimately gaining SouthContinue reading “Book Review: the Girl with Seven Names: Escape From North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee”

A Visit to Bletchley Park, Now Famous for the Codebreakers Whose Genius Saved Us During World War 2 – and Was Kept Secret for 30 Years

On a recent visit to Bletchley Park I learned many new things about exactly how an elite group of mathematicians, chess- playing and crossword puzzle solving experts, numbering ten thousand in all, came together here during the Second World War to break seemingly impenetrable codes and ciphers – all under the veil of great secrecy.Continue reading “A Visit to Bletchley Park, Now Famous for the Codebreakers Whose Genius Saved Us During World War 2 – and Was Kept Secret for 30 Years”

Film and Book Review: ‘Silence’ by Shusaku Endo: and The Film Starring Andrew Garfield

Silence by Shusaku Endo is one of the most compelling and powerful books I’ve ever read. I wrote about it in this way on my website as part of a blog post about an exhibition at the British Museum, Living With the Gods. When I first read the book, several years ago, I think oneContinue reading “Film and Book Review: ‘Silence’ by Shusaku Endo: and The Film Starring Andrew Garfield”