“Priest: It must be hard to maintain that level of cynicism, Dr. Fitzgerald. Fitz: Not at all, Father. It must be hard to maintain that level of faith.” Cracker “This is Manchester, we do things differently here.” Frank Cottrell-Boyce – in the voice of Tony Wilson I like to joke that one of the faiths…
Category: Life
Travel: Spectre in the UHT Milk – Black Country
“Guest room 217 is rumoured to be haunted by an unnamed spirit. Guests staying in the room have reported to have left in fright, with many refusing to stay in the room due to the paranormal activity. The bed in room 217 has been known to shake and the lights within the room have switched…
Travel: Flying – From West to Black Country
“A bit like the Antiques Roadshow for metal fans” Lisa Meyer This was a finely balanced day of travel. We were to first take the train to Bridgwater in Somerset to see Pat a distant cousin on my maternal grandmother’s side, then a train to Bristol for a quick beer with my friends Will and…
Travel: Roots – Devon Day 2
“I say we’re growing every day, getting stronger in every way, I’ll take you to a place where we shall find our…roots” Max Cavalera Sepultura The English specialise in eccentric plumbing. No where is this more evident than guesthouses and rooms above pubs. In addition to water heaters that require the user to complete a…
Travel: So Very Gently Chiselled of Gold – Salisbury Day 2
“In 1883, the London and South-Western Railway announced plans to run a line through the heart of the Stonehenge site. When people complained, a railway official countered that Stonehenge. was “entirely out of repair, and not the slightest use to anyone now.” Bill Bryson One of the pleasures of staying at the theological college is…
Travel: Sleep with the gods – Salisbury Day 1
“But upon the eyes of Achilles fell sweet sleep, / Weary, for the shapely ankles of Patroclus / Had he chased all day through the plain of battle” Homer We rose early and gathered our stuff together each leaving a small pile of clothes from Thailand that we didn’t need around Britain. Saying goodbye to…
Travel: ROAST – London Day 4
“There are thin lines of creamy fat running through the maroon flesh like a road map; a thicker layer wrapped around the outside and here and there oval islands of it, the colour of creme fraiche, set among the meat. This fat is crisp to the touch and plentiful; it is what will baste the…
Pub Carpets – An indicator of quality
“If you are asked why you favour a particular public-house, it would seem natural to put the beer first, but the thing that most appeals to me about the Moon Under Water is what people call its ‘atmosphere’.” George Orwell I have a theory. Like all theories it is not absolute. Any theory which demands…
Travel : The Power of Light – London Day 2
“And Turner has drowned you in this moment, pulled you into this terrifying chasm in the ocean, drenched you in this bloody light – exactly the hue you sense in your blood filled optic nerves when you close your eyes in blinding sunlight.” – Simon Schama Last time I was in London my trip was…
Travel : The Longest Day – London Day 1
“I do find London exciting. Much as I hate to agree with that tedious old git Samuel Johnson, and despite the pompous imbecility of his famous remark about when a man is tired of London he is tired of life…I can’t dispute it.” Bill Bryson There are a few ratios or rules in travel which…
Raise the Dawn 