I keep finding more of them! The first two are for Carolyn. | Continue reading
Another month gone in a blink of an eye. It has been a hot one, that’s for sure. Record-breaking weather in fact. Shame I couldn’t make more of it, as I was feeling quite rough for the last half of it. Hopefully improving soon though. —————————————————————————————– Julie managed … | Continue reading
Just a few today. Five to be exact. | Continue reading
In 2004 I was 52 years old. Not in the target market or audience demographic for a House Music record that topped the charts in the UK, one aimed at young people who loved to party all night, dancing in clubs. But I loved it anyway. The Shapeshifters were two men who used samples … | Continue reading
Spelling mistakes included of course! I have definitely worked with a Freda. | Continue reading
Valuable information you may never need (or want) to know. Colour codes for pipework. Keyboard shortcuts. | Continue reading
A great song from 1965 showcasing Eric Burdon’s strong vocals and Chas Chandler’s bass playing. A big hit in the UK that year, and it later became associated with the Vietnam War. For obvious reasons. I think it still sounds excellent and remains relevant, 61 years later. In this … | Continue reading
Visit the post for more. | Continue reading
Found online. Full credit to Brian Bilston. | Continue reading
I am happy to have received a guest post from published writer and blogging friend Ben of https://meerkatmusings.co.uk/ He has some books to introduce to you. I live in Essex but originally hail from Hertfordshire, and I am the proud father of an amazing young woman, as well as a … | Continue reading
You have to know the song to get this one. | Continue reading
I have never been to Portugal, but my good friend Antony has just returned from Porto, on the Douro River. The town is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the centre of Port Wine production. Check out his great selection of photos by following this link. 5 days in Porto, Portugal. … | Continue reading
My fiction serial has now concluded, and there are no posts in my draft folder. So once again I am offering to publish guest posts for anyone who follows this blog, or follows me on Twitter/X. @PeteJohnso43288 Don’t worry if you have nothing prepared at the moment, there is no ti … | Continue reading
This is the final part of a fiction serial, in 821 words. Before questions could be asked, the proper formalities had to be observed. Lady Eleanor was standing as Lord Francis entered, and gave a respecftul deep curtsey as he drew closer. To her right, and well behind, Agnes knel … | Continue reading
In 1977 I had a recording of a song released by George Benson. I told my mum about it and she said it was originally by Nat King Cole, and she remembered it. When I bought a laptop later and was able to properly research the song, I discovered that it had been written in … Contin … | Continue reading
A short guest post from Gavin Marriott in New Zealand. I am often in circles where discussion takes place over the root cause of our world problems. Some come up with money, some with electronic advancements, others blame media and then greed. I’ve sat quiet on this for years, bu … | Continue reading
Well I cannot moan about the weather this week, as we have had unseasonably hot weather that is set to continue, with blue skies and warm nights. Our TV weather presenters have become so excited that they have declared a ‘heatwave’, and the government has issued health warnings f … | Continue reading
And one joke. | Continue reading
This is the nineteenth part of a fiction serial, in 792 words. The mood in the castle was tense. Lady Eleanor was taking it out on Agnes by being snippy with her, and for days on end as they awaited the arrival of Lord Francis, Agnes felt the stress of the atmosphere. She could s … | Continue reading
I have always advocated wearing napkins tucked in at the neck when dining out in restaurants. Mainly to avoid anything spilling onto my clothes, but also because I was told to do this by my dad when I was young. This has often drawn attention to me, and sometimes led to sarcastic … | Continue reading
Visit the post for more. | Continue reading
My blogging friend Beth is on a road trip in America, and today she has posted about Flagstaff, Arizona. flagstaff. That means one thing to me, and it came immediately to mind. Chuck Berry’s version of the 1946 song by Bobby Troup. But there were other versions of the song before … | Continue reading
This is the eighteenth part of a fiction serial, in 755 words. With Francis de Beaumont arriving soon to become the new Lord of Laxton, there was not too much to be done. The colours were of the same family, so the clothes and banners need not be changed. The furniture and beddin … | Continue reading
Visit the post for more. | Continue reading
Thanks to everyone who played along with this, and well done to those who got lots of right answers. As promised, here are the correct answers, preceded by a link to the post so you can have another look. Cityscapes Quiz (1) London (2) Manchester (3) Birmingham (4) Liverpool (5) … | Continue reading
After many weeks of receiving thousands of views most days, it has dropped back to just a little above normal. From 2000-3000+ views a day, to around 650-700. That is still quite high, but a pleasing indication that the copying of my entire blog might finally be calming down. Whe … | Continue reading
This song popped into my head recently, something of a ‘one hit wonder’ from 1982/1983. (Her second and lesser hit was a cover of the old song ‘Cry Me A River’ the following year.) I liked it enough at the time to buy the single, but I think I liked her more than the song. … Cont … | Continue reading
This is the seventeenth part of a fiction serial, in 784 words. The mood in the castle was bleak. Lady Eleanor was inconsolable over the loss of baby William, and Lord Ranulf stayed confined to his chamber indulging in fits of screaming that kept Agnes awake most nights. At times … | Continue reading
Inspired by Susanne Swanson of https://catsandtrailsandgardentales.com/ here are some cityscapes of English cities. See how many you can recognise. Hint* The first one is the easiest. If you want to play along, leave your answers in the comments. And no cheating! 😉 I will … | Continue reading
For the last few days I have been treating an annoying cold with over the counter medicines. We were due to go out to meet friends for lunch earlier, and despite feeling pretty rough when I woke up this morning, I was keen to go. Then while I was getting ready just before 11am, I … | Continue reading
I found this online. Those of us of a certain age can relate to it, I’m sure. | Continue reading
I think I might have finally sorted out the ‘irregularities’ I have been experiencing with my PC. Just one other post today, and then hopefully back to normal later, attempting to catch up with all your posts I have missed. We are off to Suffolk to meet friends for lunch. Unfortu … | Continue reading
**No spoilers** This is a film I saw at the cinema on release and had not managed to see again during those 51 years since. I noticed it was being shown on a free TV film channel last week, and recorded it to watch. Dircted by the estimable Sidney Pollack, and starring Robert Red … | Continue reading
Interesting and important news for those who read Kindle Editions on their devices and authors who rely on people being able to read their books on that platform. You may already know, but I only found out yesterday. *Amazon is retiring the classic Kindle for PC (Win32) app on Ju … | Continue reading
After having the same pair of Summer flip-flops for quite a few years now, it was time for a change. I found some with foam-lined footbeds above the soles, and they sounded just right. Ordered yesterday, they arrived this afternoon. They have a really nice ‘bouncy’ feel when you … | Continue reading
This is the sixteenth part of a fiction serial, in 754 words. Although she rarely saw her mother, Agnes received messages about her from Peggy, whispered to her by the servant girls. She was much improved, and Mistress Peggy had her doing very small tasks that were not tiring. Sh … | Continue reading
Hard to believe it is May, with weather more like early March. Most days this week we have had to turn the central heating on, and I am still not able to wear shorts, due to chilly winds and occasional rain. More rain forecast for the coming week, though it might warm up a bit. … … | Continue reading
Mixed memes for the end of another week. | Continue reading
One of these is not a map. It’s a meme for people who don’t like maps. | Continue reading
This insightful poem was sent to me by Rachel McAlpine, an author and podcaster who also writes on Substack. https://substack.com/@rachelmcalpine?utm_source=explore_sidebar Preparing for old age is scary scarier than getting pregnant twenty thousand miles from home. Now my body h … | Continue reading
Last week we watched ‘Simply Red Night’ on BBC2 and those songs brought back some memories. Not least this soulful ballad from 1985, released as a single from their album ‘Picture Book’. Holdin’ back the years Thinkin’ of the fear I’ve had so long When somebody hears Listen to th … | Continue reading
I found this uncredited image online. Ordinary bricks painted to resemble book spines and used as edging around flowerbeds. Great idea! | Continue reading
This is the fifteenth part of a fiction serial, in 761 words. By the onset of winter, the exciting night of the feast seemed so long ago, and Agnes had heard no more talk of Francis de Beaumont. She was desperate to ask about him, but knew it was not her place to ask personal … C … | Continue reading
This is the fourteenth part of a fiction serial, in 777 words. The night before the celebratory feast, Agnes found it hard to sleep. Everyone in the castle was excited, from Lady Eleanor down to the lowest servant girl. The fairly comfortable daily routine of life there was one t … | Continue reading