Today, World Oceans Day 2020, the world recognises five oceans: Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, Southern. These are the biggies in the watery world, the ones that form a large part of the 71% of ‘Blue Planet’. But what about the other bodies of water – the Seas – and more specifically The Seven Seas? For…
Read MoreQuarantine is not a word that we want to hear as it usually denotes a situation that is, albeit temporary, a medical emergency with an uncertain future. Widespread diseases that have given rise to decisions that quarantine is the only option have occurred throughout history. It is generally recognised as a given period of time when…
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St Valentine was a martyr, dying a martyr’s death. Other than that, the facts of the person (there’s also the possibility that the saint was a woman) are open to conjecture. there were lots of people named Valentine because, well, it was a very popular name for around six hundred years as ‘“Valentinus” signified being…
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Hampton Court Palace: a statement of power, a symbol of intrigue and downfall. It is one of my favourite places – not just for the building, although it is magnificent; not just for the history, although it spans centuries; not just for the beauty of the interiors and artworks, although a lifetime would not be…
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New York Public Library’s most borrowed books. Will your favourite be there?
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Well the news is in and I can only respond with a Passive Protest. The Queen’s statement following the ‘Sandringham Summit’ appears to be offering everything the Sussexes want. Let me re-phrase that, everything Ms Markle wants. Now I cannot fathom which of two reasons would have led the Royal Family (vis The Queen, Prince…
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marilyn unmasked 