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That’s one in the eye

This short story fits loosely in with the idiom theme that I’ve been perusing recently. The term is used to mean a disappointment or setback for someone or something. At the moment I’m researching a new tour, this time based in the Temple. The Temple is an area of Barristers chambers situated between the Strand… Continue reading That’s one in the eye

Feeling Like A Proper Charlie

I like to collect and research idioms, although I’m not too sure how to describe them. I suppose a phrase that is used where a meaning is not deducible from the words in it, something like “Over the Moon” for example, to convey happiness. To feel or to look like a proper Charlie is one… Continue reading Feeling Like A Proper Charlie

Caught with your trousers down!

For the last month I’ve immersed myself in all thing Soho, as I’m currently publishing an audio tour about the area ( when it’s published it will appear HERE ) As with all the tours I write you sometimes get a bit stuck in a particular part, sometimes inspiration appears and you move on, or… Continue reading Caught with your trousers down!

Jessie Matthews and the Brontosaurus

Probably best I explain from the beginning, Jessie Matthews was an actress, dancer and singer of the 1920s and 1930s, whose career continued into the post-war period. Following a string of hit stage musicals and films in the mid-1930s, Jessie developed a following in the USA, where she was dubbed “The Dancing Divinity”. The studio… Continue reading Jessie Matthews and the Brontosaurus

A man of many parts

It’s 1665 and you’ve caught the coach from York to London and are recuperating at the White Hart Inn on Bishopsgate prior to a business meeting the following day. The merchant you are meeting has left word that he will meet you outside St Botolph’s church at midday. The Inn being being next door to… Continue reading A man of many parts

Stop and have a cuppa

Sometimes you walk past a building and give it no attention whatsoever, it doesn’t matter how grand or humble it is, it just doesn’t ask you to stop and take a look at it. The small shabby building in the middle of the photo and it’s neighbours have been slowly lapsing into decay for as… Continue reading Stop and have a cuppa

The three ships of Great Marlborough Street

Great Marlborough Street runs roughly parallel to Oxford Street emerging into Regent Street. One of it’s most famous confluences is Carnaby Street, the once vibrant centre of 1960s fashionable London. At the Regent street end the street definitely has the retail vibe of the surrounding area, but as you travel eastwards it becomes more non… Continue reading The three ships of Great Marlborough Street

Terrorism 17th century style

In the last post, Hide and Seek in Moorgate, I relayed the story of the run up to the English Civil War and how five members of Parliament escaped the clutches of Charles I. One of these five was John Pym at the time the leader of the opposition in the Commons and staunch Puritan.… Continue reading Terrorism 17th century style

Hide and Seek in Moorgate

I’ve had an interest in the English Civil War for some time, but have never really got to grips with it, that is until this Christmas when I received a really good book on the subject. As far as actual battles go, London, or to be exact it’s suburbs only had two. The Battle of… Continue reading Hide and Seek in Moorgate

Ham Yard, an apt setting

Philanthropy at Christmas comes in many forms whether it is sending money to an appeal, donating to a food bank or possibly even volunteering to serve Christmas dinner to those who find themselves homeless. I’m afraid I can only own up to one of these and its not the last one. I came across a… Continue reading Ham Yard, an apt setting