Life With Mabel: Part Twenty

This is the twentieth part of a fiction serial, in 780 words. Doing her best to get on with life, Mabel tried to throw herself into her work. That was easier said than done in a provincial branch of Woolworth’s that was only really busy late in the week. Reg was riding high in hi … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Vintage Photographs From The 19th Century

A selection I found online. Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh. 1850s. Lake Como, Italy. 1870. A lady sleeping in a train, 1880. The Shambles, York. 1890. A British official in India, with his family and servants. 1890. A wet day in London, 1890. Spoon makers in Russia, 1899. | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Nineteen

This is the nineteenth part of a fiction serial, in 741 words. People rushed to help Mabel up, and without even taking time to thank them, she hurried into Woolworth’s. Grabbing her bag and coat, she went into the manager’s office without knocking. “Sorry, I have to go. My best f … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Retro Music 61

Something different today, a comparison of two versions of the same retro song. The original, and a later cover. For a change, I love both versions, with the cover equally as good, in my opinion. I also saw the band who covered the song perform it live, and it was flawless. In 19 … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Mother’s Day 2023

It is Mother’s Day here in England. I no longer have a mother to celebrate with. But Julie is my wife, and a mother of four children, so she has something to celebrate. She is spending time with one of her daughters this evening, but I have no idea if the other three chidren will … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Eighteen

This is the eighteenth part of a fiction serial, in 730 words. With Reg packed off to Europe, Mabel and Winnie were free to experience the joys of living together full time. Sharing the cooking, cuddling on the sofa as they watched the television or listened to records, then fina … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Regrets?

Birthdays make you reflect on life. At least that is the case for me. For most of my adult life, I never expected to live until I was 60, let alone 71. Now I have reached that age, I wonder if I will see 80. But I very much doubt that. Why? Well, I was … Continue reading Regrets? | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Sunday Musings After My Birthday

I found another gadget on the new car this week, Automatic Lights. Just turn the main light switch to Auto, and the lights come on when the sensor decides it is dark enough. For now, we have left it on that setting, but it’s good to know it can be overridden if you want to … Cont … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Seventeen

This is the seventeenth part of a fiction serial, in 727 words. Once Reg had been sexually compromised by Winnie, life for Mabel became much more relaxed. He agreed with everything she said, and when she suggested he move into the spare room as sleeping next to him was disturbing … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

East London In The 1970s: The Photos of Homer Sykes

From his time as a student living in West London until the present day, Homer Sykes has travelled across the city to take photos in the run down working-class districts of Whitechapel and Spitalfields. These photos were taken during the 1970s. Photographs copyright © Homer Sykes … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Sixteen

This is the sixteenth part of a fiction serial, in 770 words. Winifred Finch was the only child of doting parents. But they didn’t spoil her, and made sure she knew right from wrong and was never badly behaved. From her first day at school she decided she didn’t like boys. They w … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Free Book Promotion – 17th – 21st March

Originally posted on Stevie Turner: I’m currently driving to the Isle of Wight this morning, but just before I left I took part in a free book promotion on BookFunnel. The consequence of this is that my ‘enemies-to-lovers‘ romance ‘Falling‘ will be FREE on Amazon from today until … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

England In Colour: 1928-1932

These photos were taken by Clifton R. Adams, who was sent to England by National Geographic magazine to photograph life in the country. (Most can be slightly enlarged by clicking on them.) Mr Adams, who died in 1934 aged just 44, had instructions to record its farms, towns and ci … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Fifteen

This is the fifteenth part of a fiction serial, in 752 words. It was a long time coming, but Mabel had always known it was going to happen eventually. On her birthday the following year, Winnie bought her friend an expensive gift. It was a dress watch on a bangle, not the sort yo … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

World News: 16/03/2023

The only news I am interested in today is that it is my birthday. I doubt that will feature on any BBC broadcasts though. My cards have been opened, along with some gifts sent in the post. When Julie gets home from work this afternoon I will get presents from her, and then we wil … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Fourteen

This is the fourteenth part of a fiction serial, in 769 words. Her job at Woolworth’s was much more relaxed. She wasn’t going to have to work on Saturdays, as most of the staff were part-time, and that shift was covered. She was one of the few full-time staff there, and now she w … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Thirteen

This is the thirteenth part of a fiction serial, in 761 words. She had to admit, Reg had chosen well. The house was at the end of a small terrace, with room at the side for the motorbike, and a small front garden that had a painted wooden fence. Inside, the steep stairs led up … … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

11 Years Ago Today

On this day in 2012, my mum died in hospital in London. She was 87 years old. Violet Johnson. 1924-2012 After a long period of suffering, she died in the early hours of the morning. I had been to see her that night, and sat with her until it got late. She didn’t know I … Continue … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Twelve

This is the twelfth part of a fiction serial, in 730 words. Reg was patient. He waited six weeks before resuming the Saturday night conjugals. After the tearful funeral, Denise wasn’t mentioned. In those days, everyone was used to losing babies, even older children. It was just a … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Retro Music 60

We often hear the expression, “It doesn’t get better than this”. It is one I use myself, on many occasions. In 1965, I was a 13 year-old fan of Soul Music. I didn’t mind at all when it crossed genres into Torch Songs, or romantic ballads. And this choice qualifies as all three. L … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

In-Car Entertainment?

When we went out looking to buy a different car recently, it soon became clear that very few cars made after 2017 came with a CD player built in. During the test drive of the one we eventually bought, I asked the young salesman if it had a CD player incorporated into the impressi … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Eleven

This is the eleventh part of a fiction serial, in 771 words. After the transfer to Guy’s hospital, Mabel slept like a log. A nurse woke her up to tell her that her mum had come to visit her, and she couldn’t believe how long she had been asleep. Mum looked like she had been … Con … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Sunday Musings Before My Birthday

Thw weather continues to act strangely. Snow during the week, then freezing temperatures followed by heavy rain. Now we have 14C today, and there are flying insects over on Beetley Meadows. The forecast for next week is yet another return to Winter. I suspect it is going to be so … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

No Posts Today

Just to let you know, there will be no serial episode today, and no other posts. I had to drive Julie into Norwich for MRI scans earlier, and we have just got back. (Nothing sinister, the scans were for ongoing joint problems caused by Arthritis.) Normal service will be resumed t … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Ten

This is the tenth part of a fiction serial, in 737 words When she hadn’t heard from Dennis in nearly two weeks, Mabel rang his house from a phone box in her lunch break. It just rang and rang. She tried again on the way home from work, and got the same thing. It upset … Continue … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Everyday Life in England During the 1950s-60s: The Photos Of John Gay

John Gay, born Hans Göhler (1909-1999), came to England in 1935. He was one of the generation of German emigres who made a contribution to British culture and academia. After a period of war service, he established himself as a leading photographer in the late 1940s and 1950s, il … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Nine

This is the ninth part of a fiction serial, in 752 words. Two weeks after that time in his car, Mabel rang Dennis from a phone box on her way home from work. “I will go sick from work on Friday if you want to come round about ten”. He was non-committal. “Friday? Depends if … Cont … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

A Very Snowy Dog Walk

At around 8pm last night, the snow finally arrived in Beetley.. Fortunately, it was wet snow. The sort that looks serious, but doesn’t settle on the ground. Ii was about two inches deep on the car roofs and garden furniture, but there was no trace of it on the lawn or pathways. B … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Eight

This is the eighth part of a fiction serial, in 760 words. Dennis was standing by the car smoking a cigarette when she got there. He flicked it into the kerb and opened the back door for her. “Lovely ladies travel in style, in the back”. He smiled as he said it, and she noticed … … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

What Kids Did Before The Internet

Being outside was a huge part of growing up. These kids, and their parents, knew how important that was. Wherever you lived, I am sure you will identify with this, as long as you are over forty! Leap Frog. Reading Comics. Swinging. Hoses in hot weather. Riding bicycles. Walking t … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Making The Most Of Black and White: The Photos Of Anders Petersen And Jacob Aue Sobol

I found this article online, and was very impressed by the use of the grainy effect in the photographs. There are no captions. | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Seven

This is the seventh part of a fiction serial, in 752 words. The first week of her marriage came as a shock to Mabel. There was a bathroom on each of the three floors in the house, but each one was shared by the three flats occupying the floor. Reg came home from work on … Continu … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

War Damage And Rebuilding: Prefabs In London

Prefabricated homes were seen as the quick answer to the housing shortage caused by German bombing in WW2. Built on top of pre-plumbed ­concrete slabs, these homes could be erected in a day by teams of German and Italian prisoners-of-war who were in no hurry to return home, come … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

THE OUTRAGEOUS MISS APRIL FOOL

Originally posted on - MIKE STEEDEN -: 15 months after I put pen to ink and at last the new book, ‘The Outrageous Miss April Fool’ is born. On the way it didn’t help that Rosie the gypsy dog ‘bitch’…sometimes worthy of that non-canine definition…decided to ‘bark’ many a long hour … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Six

This is the sixth part of a fiction serial, in 771 words. To say the wedding was not the best day of her life was an understatement. The vicar got her name wrong in the church, calling her Mary instead of Mabel. And he kept doing it, even when she corrected him. Norman had troubl … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Twitter: Musk’s Mess

You may not be aware of issues with Twitter today. (Or may not care) Users are getting this message. {“errors”:[{“message”:”Your current API plan does not include access to this endpoint, please see https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/twitter-api for more information”,”code”:46 … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

A Dog And A Piglet: Made Me Happy

My thanks to Jill for featuring this video on her blog. https://jilldennison.com/ | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Five

This is the fifth part of a fiction serial, in 825 words. They got into a routine, and Mabel settled for planning the wedding to take her mind off of Reg’s lack of ardour. She was going to wear mum’s old wedding dress, which had been carefully stored in a box for years. A lady … … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

The First Sunday Musings In March

The weather got colder this week, and we had some unwelcome rain. After a long dry period, the mud is back over on Hoe Rough. Worse to come, according to the forecasters on TV. Next week it wil get even colder, and we might get snow and ice by Tuesday. Back to Winter. I am … Cont … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Retro Music 59

Back to 1960, when I was just 8 years old. My dad worked in the record business, and brought home an album by Etta James. As soon as I heard the record, I knew I loved it, especially this title track. Etta had a very long career, performing in many genres of music. She could … Co … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Retro Music 57

I was 19 years old in 1971, and my music tastes were becoming more varied. Deep down though, I was still a Soul Boy at heart, and that year I heard a wonderful Soul singer with his great new song. I bought this record the same day, then went on to buy his other records … Continue … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Retro Music 58

Regular readers will know that I am not generally a fan of Rock Music. Whether that might be Progressive Rock, Heavy Rock, Heavy Metal, or any of the other names that fans give to it. However, there are many notable exceptions, and this classic song is definitely one of those. Le … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Four

This is the fourth part of a fiction serial, in 745 words. On Mabel’s sixteenth birthday, Reginald proposed officially. Unable to afford a new engagement ring he used his grandmother’s, with the blessing of his mum. He waited until they were alone in the parlour, and showed her t … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Random Photos To Bring A Smile

This selection of feel-good photos (mostly staged for the camera) made me smile. I hope they work for you too. A young man with his pet Owls. Taking your dog to the hairdresser’s. A skateboarding nun. The fisherman’s cat lives in his beard. This old lady is using a puppet of an o … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Three

This is the third part of a fiction serial, in 758 words. Now that Mabel no longer worked at the cinema, she could enjoy being a customer instead. Her twice-weekly dates with Reg fell into a pleasant routine. He would pop round after work on a weekday, and they would just sit and … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

WordPress App: Changes Imminent

If you use your phone or tablet to blog on the WordPress App, you should read the article in the link. Changes are being introduced this month, splitting the choice of Apps between the current format, and the new Jetpack App. The most obvious difference will be that you will no l … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Postcards Of The 1960s: The Photos Of John Hinde

The postcards were produced in the 1960s by photographer John Hinde, a key figure in the development of the colour photograph as a postcard. Each photograph is innovative in its use of colour and stage-management. Shot with large format cameras, the production of these photograph … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago

Life With Mabel: Part Two

This is the second part of a fiction serial, in 733 words. Sitting with her cup of tea, Mabel did what she liked to do best. Thinking about the past. It was the year 2012 now, and she would soon reach the milestone of her eightieth birthday. Reginald would have been two years old … | Continue reading


@beetleypete.com | 1 year ago