Today I return to the subject of the sea. I was there a few weeks ago, and how one can long for the sea, especially living in the middle of the UK as I now do! This area of Warwickshire has many joys – close to major historic sites such as Kenilworth Castle, and areasContinue reading “Sea, Beach, and Sky on the North Cornish Coast”
Category Archives: thoughts
Berlin December 2024 – Insights From the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall
Just before Christmas 2024, we visited Berlin and explored that fascinating city. There are so many diverse aspects to Berlin in December: the fun & excitement of the Christmas markets, crazy light displays, exquisite craftwork in festive shops, the amazing Humboldt Forum art museum, the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the opportunity to reflect upon the worstContinue reading “Berlin December 2024 – Insights From the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall”
To Celebrate Wolf Hall, TV Drama Adaptation Starring Mark Rylance and Damien Lewis- My Reviews of Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell Trilogy – reblog
What’s On My Kindle Now
Most keen readers have ‘To Be Read’ piles. I have a physical pile of TBR books and many on my kindle. The popularity of ebooks is said to be almost taking over that of physical books, but many kindle readers will admit to downloading ebooks then forgetting they’re on the kindle, waiting to be read.Continue reading “What’s On My Kindle Now”
The Best Books About the Paranormal or the Supernatural With a Creeping Sense of Unease
Today I share my entry on the book recommendation website shepherd.com. With Shepherd, you can explore, discover, read. It’s a brilliant idea for readers to find books based on themes, tone, plot elements and many other variables more subtle than broad genre categories. The best books about the paranormal or the supernatural with a creepingContinue reading “The Best Books About the Paranormal or the Supernatural With a Creeping Sense of Unease”
Book Reviews: The Newland Trilogy by E.M. Carter: YA Dystopian Trilogy
Today, I’m pleased to share my reviews of two outstanding young adult novels, books 1 and 2 of The Newland Trilogy published by Resolute Books in 2023 and 2024. I received ARCs of these two excellent novels, for my honest review. Here are my reviews of these first two books in the trilogy. Repression GroundContinue reading “Book Reviews: The Newland Trilogy by E.M. Carter: YA Dystopian Trilogy”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Five: What further stories can you tell about your time at the BBC?
Working at 1 Portland Place opposite Broadcasting House (BH) at London W1A, we often saw well-known presenters and personalities. We’d be queueing up for lunch in the canteen at the top of BH and I’d see a familiar media figure in the queue just ahead of me, and think, ‘He looks much smaller and moreContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Five: What further stories can you tell about your time at the BBC?”
Book Review: Small Wars in Madrid by Anthony Ferner
Today, I ‘m pleased to share my review of an outstanding new novel, published by Fairlight Moderns on 14 March 2024. ‘Small Wars in Madrid’ by Anthony Ferner is a novel that evoked a number of emotions in me as a reader; at different times, I felt shocked, moved, and a strong sense of illumination.Continue reading “Book Review: Small Wars in Madrid by Anthony Ferner”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Four: What Was Your First Permanent Job?
I’ll always remember my first working day at the BBC in London W1A. I stepped into the BBC Radio office at 1 Portland Place, W1A, opposite Broadcasting House (to be known forever as BH). By the end of that day, I had experienced my First BBC Crisis. I was working for one of the producers inContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Four: What Was Your First Permanent Job?”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Two: What is Your Earliest Memory? – The Tale of a Much Loved Family Pet
What is your earliest memory? A car journey when I was four years old. I grew up in Orpington, Kent, and our family were driving back home after a visit to pedigree poodle breeding kennels near Tunbridge Wells. We had bought a miniature poodle pup. We called him “Kimmings”. He was officially a silver poodle, but when veryContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Two: What is Your Earliest Memory? – The Tale of a Much Loved Family Pet”