Author Archives: odeboyz

Overland by Stagecoach: Wyoming, circa 1900

Posted on November 1, 2018 by odeboyz

  Nine people squeezed inside the stagecoach. Any additional passengers sometimes travelled on the roof. Passengers remained sandwiched together for about 22 days, with only brief stops for meals and changes of stock or equipment.

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The origin of Fish and Chips in Britain

Posted on November 1, 2018 by odeboyz

The dish of white fish, typically cod or haddock, fried in a thin coat of flour, was a favourite particularly among Sephardic Jews, who fried it on Friday nights to prepare for the Sabbath, as the Mosaic laws prohibited cooking. … Continue reading →

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Tourism in a finite world: London 2018

Posted on November 1, 2018 by odeboyz

The British invented organised tourism in the 18th century. The Grand Tour was tourism for aristocratic young men. They were supposed to expose themselves to European influences and culture before settling down. Many young aristocrats brought European architectural ideas back … Continue reading →

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A caring grandson

Posted on October 29, 2018 by odeboyz

Grandson: Gran-ma I think you should do more walking. Grand-ma (sceptically): Really? Grandson: Yes. You could take the tortoise for a walk. It would do you good. Mike W.

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Book Review: Martin Cruz Smith ~ The Arkady Renko novels

Posted on October 29, 2018 by odeboyz

The British Detective Inspector genre has reached new levels of sophistication in its numerous iterations. There is a pretty standard characterisation used by most authors and so thrillers depend almost entirely on ever more ingenious plots. However, no matter how … Continue reading →

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Japanese social discipline

Posted on October 25, 2018 by odeboyz
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Fancy banking in the Ukraine?

Posted on October 25, 2018 by odeboyz

There is a bank in Ukraine that is offering *21%* interest on a checking account. But you must take 10,000 steps a day, tracked by their app, to qualify. Miss one day and you get nothing. I can’t decide if … Continue reading →

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Politics today

Posted on October 25, 2018 by odeboyz

People might be forgiven for thinking the world is going to hell in a hand cart. Just what has happened to compassion, kindness, sympathy? Perhaps, before  Donald Trump carries out his threat, to cut millions of dollars in aid, because … Continue reading →

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The ideal prison officer

Posted on October 22, 2018 by odeboyz

Fletcher [prisoner]: I had a friend once- haven’t told you this before, have I? He was a light-heavy. Good strong boy. Won a few fights. Suddenly thought he was the bees knees. Fast cars, easy women. Classic story of too … Continue reading →

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Book Reviews: Sellar and Yeatman 1066 and All That (1930); O’Farrell An utterly impartial history of Britain

Posted on October 22, 2018 by odeboyz

Sellar and Yeatman invented satire on school-boy history. They mocked history books which were current at the time which mostly created the myth that the British were naturally superior to all other countries. They developed the phrase ‘a good thing’ … Continue reading →

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