I currently have a little side project going on. I’m writing a tour which uses a train as transport rather than walking. I’m writing it along with my Dad, who”s something of a railway historian. I thought it might be nice to write a tour where the listener can sit back in the comfort of… Continue reading Commuting Can Be Murder!
Tag: Murder
The Countess of Auschwitz
Gloucester Road underground station is a rather perplexing combination of buildings. As you turn into Gloucester Road from Courtfield Road you are presented with the Ox blood tiled facade of what was once the deep line station and adjoining it is the original Victorian station building. The original station was opened in 1868 by the Metropolitan… Continue reading The Countess of Auschwitz
Two stories, but which to tell?
Story 1: Too much information It often happens, while researching for my tours sometimes a glut of information turns up for for a location and you find yourself having to make the call about what to use and what to discard. Recently I had this quandary while writing a tour called The Planners Dream Goes… Continue reading Two stories, but which to tell?
Marguerite Alibert, Maggie Meller, Marguerite Laurent, and Princess Fahmy
This is a story despite the title about one person. Marguerite Marie Alibert was born on 9 December 1890, in Paris to Firmin Alibert, a coachman, and Marie Aurand, a housekeeper. When she was sixteen she gave birth to a daughter, Raymonde, the father unknown and after a few months left the child with her parents… Continue reading Marguerite Alibert, Maggie Meller, Marguerite Laurent, and Princess Fahmy
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Sometimes without realising you get into a rut, do the same things the same way and miss out on new opportunities. For instance, I always exit Charing Cross station turn right and walk along the Strand on the right hand side of the road. This recently highlighted the downside of sticking with what you know.… Continue reading The Hurdy Gurdy Man
A bit of a drama
Take a stroll along the Strand and you’ll be confronted by Arundel Great Court, described in some architectural journals as a “Brutalist Behemoth” It was completed in 1976 and to say that critics got themselves worked up would be a bit of an understatement. Arundel Great Court was built on the former site of the… Continue reading A bit of a drama
Burye, Berry, Bury
Next time you’re in the City, walk past the Gherkin along Bury Street and at the end of Holland House and you will see the relief of a ship. This dates to when the offices were owned by Wm. H. Müller who were a Dutch shipping company and commissioned the building in 1916. In itself… Continue reading Burye, Berry, Bury
A LONDON MISCELLANY 