Monthly Archives: May 2020

Lunchtime

Posted on May 28, 2020 by
Posted in Health, Humour, wildlife | Tagged | Leave a comment

Heaven and Hell Defined

Posted on May 28, 2020 by

In heaven, the English are the policemen, the French are the chefs, the Germans the mechanics, the Italians are the lovers, and the Swiss organize everything. In hell, the Germans are the policemen, the English are the chefs, the French … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged | Leave a comment

Failing Maths at Sir Philip Magnus school, 1958

Posted on May 28, 2020 by

In June 1958 our class was told about the annual mathematics examination. This didn’t fill me with enthusiasm. I feared exams and I especially hated maths. Our teacher, Mr Jones, a hard Welshman from the Rhonda, made the announcement with … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, education, Mathematics, School | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A J P Taylor on the Nuremberg Trials

Posted on May 25, 2020 by

Twenty years ago [1963] I published a book about the origins of the Second World War. At the time it was dismissed as wrong-headed and controversial. Now it has become the accepted version for most people. But there still lurks … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Literature, Politics, Prison, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: P J O’Rourke ~ Holidays in Hell (1988)

Posted on May 25, 2020 by

Satire notoriously ages badly. So much of it depends on the readers knowledge of the setting and personality of what is being satirised. Once the moment is gone so has the point of the humour. Consider the cartoon below. It … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Humour, Politics, Travel, War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Soldier Soldier

Posted on May 25, 2020 by

Great Granddad, soldier of the Dragoon Guards Impeccably immaculate, imperial in his uniform Young resolute, his features sit square He looks every bit, the soldier there. What was he thinking, as the photograph was snapped His portrait for posterity, generations … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Poetry, Politics, War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The uncharitable Sisters of Charity

Posted on May 21, 2020 by
Posted in Humour, Religion | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Birth of Northern Ireland, 1921

Posted on May 21, 2020 by

Ireland’s unique colony-plus status was established in 1801 as a response to the 1798 rebellion. Conflicts during the 19th and early 20th century led to the successful Irish War of Independence, which culminated in the 1921 peace treaty. Northern Ireland … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A tragic deathbed scene

Posted on May 18, 2020 by

Jake was on his deathbed with his wife, Susan, by his side. He looked up and his pale lips began to move slightly. “My darling Susan,” he whispered. “Hush, my love. Rest. Don’t talk.” He was insistent. “Susan, I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Humour | Tagged , | Leave a comment

There’s no stupidity vaccine

Posted on May 18, 2020 by

                                                125,500 UK dead every year  

Posted in Health, photography, statistics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment