Category Archives: My blog

Thief of time steals more than hours and minutes – it can steal lives

I am a man of good intentions. I am also a procrastinator of the highest order. Sometimes it is good to defer an action for a day or two: if it’s pouring with rain there is no point working in the garden; if you’re not hungry you can always pop the joint in the fridgeContinue reading “Thief of time steals more than hours and minutes – it can steal lives”

Quickstep challenge with the star of the epic Lawrence of Arabia

It is highly likely that anyone around in 1977 remembers that year as the Silver Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II. To me, however, it is far more memorable than Her Maj visiting Holyhead, where I had the great pleasure of being the district reporter for the North Wales Chronicle. In Spring of thatContinue reading “Quickstep challenge with the star of the epic Lawrence of Arabia”

Seven decades of reading and I still have many years of books ahead

I think I might have mentioned, occasionally, my passion for books. It’s been a passion for more than 70 years and it doesn’t matter what they are, fiction or fact, I simply don’t care. What I do care about is holding the real deal in my hands. Obviously as a tiny tot it would haveContinue reading “Seven decades of reading and I still have many years of books ahead”

Who created who?

When the world was young it was a ball floating in space covered with water which boiled and bubbled as its core grew hotter and hotter until a hole ⁹cracked open and lava erupted before falling back into the waters. Then the core spewed up more lava until that which fell back into the watersContinue reading “Who created who?”

NHS kicks off 2026 with vigour

The NHS is still coming under fire, except that nowadays the public are being persuaded to join in the attack. The persuasion not only comes courtesy of the Tories and Farage’s mob, but also from the Labour government under Starmer. Naturally the majority of the mass media have joined in the attacks and if youContinue reading “NHS kicks off 2026 with vigour”

Do you see yourself through a glass darkly – or do you go through the looking glass?

Who do you see when you pass a mirror? Do you know the visage you see? You know it is you but the only times you see yourself are when you look in a mirror, or, when someone shows you a photograph of you. But is the “you” that you see the same as theContinue reading “Do you see yourself through a glass darkly – or do you go through the looking glass?”

When I was One-and-Twenty

By A E Housman When I was one-and-twentyI heard a wise man say,“Give crowns and pounds and guineasBut not your heart away;Give pearls away and rubiesBut keep your fancy free.”But I was one-and-twenty,No use to talk to me. When I was one-and-twentyI heard him say again,“The heart out of the bosomWas never given in vain;‘TisContinue reading “When I was One-and-Twenty”

Flat pack: a right old faradiddle or is it really just as easy as pie?

We tend to think of flat pack furniture – or Ready to Assemble (RTA) – as having been invented in the middle of the last century, and probably created by Scandinavian designers. In fact campaign furniture was very common in the 18th and 19th centuries with the British Armed Forces, officers only, which could packContinue reading “Flat pack: a right old faradiddle or is it really just as easy as pie?”

Penblwyddd Hapus – and wishing you all a very Happy New Year

I know it’s been almost a year but 2025 has been quite a rollercoaster ride. Here’s hoping that 2026 will be smoother with more ups than downs. I will be offering plenty more on the story of my life. I seem to remember we were in Anglesey in 1977 when things took a bit ofContinue reading “Penblwyddd Hapus – and wishing you all a very Happy New Year”