Never a company to stay still, WordPress has provided me with some extra glitches to complain about today. 1) No notification of any comments in either my Spam or Trash Folders. (I check them for genuine comments, so I am unable to do that) 2) Gravatar profiles unable to load whe … | Continue reading
Over the decades, millions of albums have been released around the world. Some had unfortunate covers, others had titles that should have been thought about more carefully. I’m already pitying them, and I haven’t heard the record yet. The name of this band doesn’t translate well … | Continue reading
I found this American press clipping online. It dates from 1953, a time when many households around the world did not even have a landline phone. That man could predict the future, undoubtedly. | Continue reading
By the early 1970s, the basic point-and-shoot Polaroid camera had become affordable to almost everyone. Though the packs of film necessary added to the cost of taking photos, the popularity of instant photography exploded. People took incredibly random photos which were usually o … | Continue reading
Over the past couple of days, I have received quite a lot of comments from people who are being shown as ‘Anonymous’, or ‘Someone’. Dozens of those were put into the Spam Folder by WordPress, but others with relevant remarks about the post were left as ‘Awaiting Moderation’. Due … | Continue reading
As I mentioned in other posts recently, we had excellent weather for our week by the sea in Lincolnshire. Only 90 miles north from Beetley, it is an easy journey, and not at all tiring to undertake. Late on Sunday afternoon, the last day of our holiday, we were considering where … | Continue reading
Always on the lookout for something different to do on our holiday in Lincolnshire, Julie spotted the website for Claythorpe Watermill. https://claythorpewatermill.com/ The 18th century mill was used to grind corn, and the original building is 300 years old, with some Victorian a … | Continue reading
It was great to go back to Sutton-on-Sea, the small seaside town we are so familiar with, and the cabin with a porch that we love to sit out on. We were lucky with the weather too, as there was something of a mini-heatwave around England while we were away, and we were able to … … | Continue reading
This year, our holday was a little different for Ollie. He soon settled into our rented cabin, obviously familiar with it after so many stays in the same place. But his mobility issues now mean that we cannot do so much with him, as he tires very quickly. A short walk up to the p … | Continue reading
We are just back from our week away, and I am happy to report that it was a very good week indeed. Thanks to everyone who kept my blog ticking over with views and comments while I was away. I will do my best to answer all comments during this week. Best wishes to everyone, … Cont … | Continue reading
One of my followers has asked me to share his blog with you. He loves books and writing, and would like to engage with more bloggers. When you have a moment, please check out his blog using this link. https://novelreadingcom.wordpress.com/ | Continue reading
From later today until Monday afternoon on the 11th, I will not be on my blog at all. There will be no posts, no replies to comments, and I will not be reading the blogs I follow either. I will not attempt to catch up when I get back, and make a fresh start once … Continue readin … | Continue reading
This is all 32 parts of my recent fiction serial in one complete story. It is a long read, at 25,360 words. George Corcoran was always called ‘Corky’ by his schoolfriends. He didn’t mind that, as it made him feel he belonged. By the time school was over for him, Britain was at wa … | Continue reading
I should spend much less time on Twitter, as that is where I see most of these. There instead of ‘They’re’. Your instead of ‘You’re’. Who’s instead of ‘Whose’, Peak instead of ‘Peek’ Unncessary apostrophes, as in Video’s. Skelington instead of ‘Skeleton’. There were many more, bu … | Continue reading
This is seriously retro, dating from 1935. It is my favourite version of the well-known song, and its inclusion in this series was prompted by all the fuss about the recent ‘Blue Moon’ visible around the world. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23752197.watch-rare-super-blue-moon-week … | Continue reading
I recently asked readers to choose between three options for my next fiction serial in October. The Next Fiction Serial: A Reader Poll As promised, I counted the votes, and here are the results Total Votes: 27 Option 1: 3 votes Option 2: 10 votes Option 3: 14 votes. So Option 3 i … | Continue reading
This is the final part of a fiction serial, in 834 words. When the uniformed constable brought Mayhew back from the toilet, he was given some time to consult with the solicitor. Thirty minutes later, he made a short statement on tape. “I was involved in the incident you refer to, … | Continue reading
Daniel Cooney, an art gallery owner in New York City, held an exhibition of photos of sex workers through the ages. This is a selection of those he displayed, documenting the ‘world’s oldest profession’. France, 1850s. (Colourised) France, 1890s. New Orleans USA, 1912. France, 19 … | Continue reading
This is the thirty-first part of a fiction serial, in 792 words. Arranging for another detective to sit in with Edmunds to hear the remaining details of Mackay’s confession, Corky went upstairs to speak to his boss. After listening to the story, he shook his head. “So Mackay didn … | Continue reading
Funfairs have entertained generations of people, and are still popular today. These historical photos are from various countries. The Haunted Snail. An unusual ride in England, 1920s. The Big Wheel, always a crowd-pleaser. Hot Rod racers at an American funfair. Smartly-dressed cu … | Continue reading
It is 5pm on the 29th of August. The temperature is currently (supposed to be anyway) 16C. (61F) The skies are grey and cloudy and we have lights on in the house, three hours before sunset. It feels so cold sitting inside that I have had to put on a fleece top over my shirt, … Co … | Continue reading
This is the thirtieth part of a fiction serial, in 852 words. They went back in fifteen minutes late, deliberately. Mackay was looking edgy, and the lawyer did the talking. “Don’t start the recording yet, and I may have something to your advantage. Let’s say we could do a deal. M … | Continue reading
My friend Antony sent me this, which he found on Loren Berg’s blog. He knows me well. | Continue reading
This is the twenty-ninth part of a fiction serial, in 795 words. Mackay knew the name of a solicitor he wanted. Of course he did, thought Corky. Probably one of the same who specialised in representing gangsters. He was allowed to chat to the lawyer privately for thirty minutes b … | Continue reading
Humans have long sought the company of pet dogs, as these old photos prove. Queen Victoria, with one of her favourite dogs. Queen Victoria’s manservant and friend, John Brown. Here pictured with her other dogs. An Edwardian lady with her beloved Pugs. This couple posing with thei … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-eighth part of a fiction serial, in 775 words. Before they left Brighton, Corky went into the main police station to let the local detective team know that John Durham was in fact Tommy Summers, a well-known London criminal. He also told them that the shooting … | Continue reading
We had some summer this week. A few perfect days of blue skies and sunshine before it became overcast and humid by Thursday afternoon. Rain arrived on Saturday at 3pm, along with a drop in temperature from 24C to 17C. ————————————————————————————– Ollie had a reasonable week, tho … | Continue reading
With the approaching conclusion of ‘Corky’s Last Case’, my next serial will probably not start until October. With that in mind, I thought I would break with tradition and offer readers a choice. Here are some opening lines for you to choose from. Please vote in the comments, and … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-seventh part of a fiction serial, in 765 words. The sleepy local police detective was pleased to see Corky and Edmunds. “Over to you, mate. He’s not expected to see another twenty four hours. According to the doc who did the emergency surgery, both kidneys have … | Continue reading
I just had to keep looking for more… Inspired by science fiction films, I presume? Can you ever have too many curls? Looks more like a protective helmet than hair. Oh yes, I really believe that is his own hair. Don’t you? Barber: “What style sir?” Customer: “Werewolf please”. She … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-sixth part of a fiction serial, in 745 words. After four years in Brighton, Tommy was enjoying life there. He had made a few drinking buddies in some of the bars, stuck to his fake identity, and told anyone who asked that he had a Tulip distribution business in … | Continue reading
Some of these are still familiar today, others are downright strange! A Breast-Washer sold in France, 1930s. Removing freckles from skin using Carbon Dioxide, 1930s. A self-spray tanning machine. America, 1940s. Three similar ways of perming ladies’ hair. Germany, 1930s. ‘Face Co … | Continue reading
After the recent changes to reblogging posts, WP has come up with another major irritation this week. I presume they think it is some kind of ‘Progress’, but it is just another pointless non-improvement that helps nobody. Comment boxes on many of the sites are follow have changed … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-fifth part of a fiction serial, in 800 words. After Brenda’s mastectomy, there were radiotherapy appointments to follow. Corky took lots of leave to look after her, and drive her to and from hospital. He could tell she had aged, what with all the worry and the … | Continue reading
No captions are really necessary for this happy post featuring dogs and their owners. | Continue reading
This is the twenty-fourth part of a fiction serial, in 800 words. Taking in what Diego had said, Tommy considered his options. As he had no crew, no heavies to speak of, and couldn’t count on Michel and his Legionnaires to go up against the Mafia, those options were limited. In f … | Continue reading
Throughout my life I have never understood why men who go bald try to do their best to appear to have hair. In every case, they only make themselves look laughable, with the small rugs stuck on their heads, or the pathetic combing-over of strands grown down one side then plastere … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-third part of a fiction serial, in 818 words. Chief Inspector Mayhew retired from his career of being one of the most corrupt officers in the Metropolitan Police. His leaving party was well-attended, with one joker quipping, “I only came to make sure he was act … | Continue reading
February 1984 doesn’t sound very retro, does it? Until you realise it is almost 40 years ago. That is when I first heard the wonderful voice of the Nigerian-British singer Sade Adu, fronting the band named after her, Sade. (Pronounced ‘Shar-Day’) I discovered this song was a trac … | Continue reading
Some hairy treasures found online. Hair worn as a dress can save money on buying clothes. I think she was going for the pop-star look. Bigger than a beehive, more like an alien. I wouldn’t want to be waiting while my date back-combed her hair. I feel confident in saying that I be … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-second part of a fiction serial, in 785 words. As Corky and Brenda celebrated five years in the new house by having new double-glazing installed, Inspector Drury called him into the office one evening before he went home. “You may be aware I am considering reti … | Continue reading
More old photos found online, this time with the subjects being happy, or having fun. We often see Victorians looking very serious and unsmiling in photos. These ‘out-takes’ show they were enjoying themsleves during the process. Cats getting their milk direct from the cow. Americ … | Continue reading
Some songs are associated with a particular band or solo artist, and no cover version can ever better them. On this occasion, I actualy prefer the cover version, but I will understand if most of you do not agree with me. The song ‘Paint It Black was a huge hit for The Rolling Sto … | Continue reading
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Northern Soul is a very British experience that started in the mid 1960s, consisting of soulful records made mostly in America that were not really hits in their home country. Away from the mainstream, and very different to the sound of Motown and Atlantic Records, they acquired … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-first part of a fiction serial, in 814 words. Two days after the previous robbery, Eric Linklater was staying in a motel on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. He had stolen a Buick, and changed the plates on it. During a breakfast stop at a nearby cafe, he noticed … | Continue reading
We finally got some summer yesterday, and it’s looking good for a few more days before the rain returns. This has been one of the most enduringly bad summers I can remember, certainly one of the most dismal since moving to Norfolk in 2012. ————————————————————————————– After a lo … | Continue reading
This is the twentieth part of a fiction serial, in 809 words. Corky had passed the Sergeant’s Exam on the first try, and Superintendent Lang made good his promise. Now detective Sergeant Corcoran, he became the right hand man of Inspector Drury, on the team specialising in corrup … | Continue reading