Poppies, Remembrance and Reflections.

I mentioned yesterday that my little boy was suffering over an essay he had to write. Well, he was grateful for me sitting down to help him (shortly after helping his big sister with her Compound Interest homeword) and, I’m glad to say that the end result of his labours was good. Mind you, I’m … Continue reading

Conway Stewart Pens – RIP

It is always very sad to hear of an old friend who has disappeared. On Friday I learned that one of my real old friends has been closed. That lovely company, Conway Stewart, the specialist, luxury brand that made pens from precious metals, who supplied Rolls Royce and the Orient Express with exclusive pens, has … Continue reading

Tavistock Heritage Festival

I’ve banged on often enough about literary festivals and the ridiculous scam that they so often tend to be. As an author (I know, I’m repeating myself), I have to justify every festival or gathering I go to on its merits as a worthwhile marketing event or whether it’ll bring in more money than I … Continue reading

Books for Christmas!

Well, I hate to remind you, but it is coming close to that time of year again. Christmas. Now, of course, I mean that it’s time to go out and make someone happy. Giving presents is a heart-warming thing. It produces a feeling of well-being, an atmosphere of happiness, a sense that all is right … Continue reading

Belfast with Medieval Murderers

Last week I was enormously lucky to be invited to Northern Ireland to talk to some library audiences. I confess, I have never been to Northern Ireland before purely because the stories of bombings and shootings made it a less than attractive proposition. Still, I remember distinctly my brother telling me that he had met … Continue reading

The Templar’s Penance

There are times when I put up a video on my YouTube channel and soon get a series of questions that I hadn’t thought of at the time. So, if you want to see the original video, you can find it here – and thanks to Hans van der Boom for his questions. Apologies for not speaking … Continue reading

Scams

This one fails on so many levels. Still, I’m glad that the Manchester employee is keen to apologise for his lack of English.     BEGINS   Hello, I am Richard Wong a staff of one of highly reputable financial institution here in Manchester, United Kingdom, and I am the head of operation. I am pleased … Continue reading

Newmark and Totty

This case is getting more and more ridiculous. Now we learn that the Tory MP who’s just quit was groomed – and I use that term advisedly – over months. He was contacted by a reporter pretending to be a young Tory supporting PR girl. The conversations were initiated by this “girl”. They were conducted … Continue reading

If It Looks Too Good To Be True …

So, this weekend we’ve lost another minister in the government. A man who is no doubt presently working hard today to keep his marriage together. What happened? Well, a man of moderate age, Brooks Newmark (crazy name, crazy damn fool) was sent texts and messages. These purported to come from Sophie, a young woman who … Continue reading

Another Week!

And so another week passes. The internet is growing to be a dangerous place, I think. In one week I’ve had three invitations per day asking me to give my money to people. Yes, they are casino operations, but I don’t care. These gambling sites are not designed to provide me with money, they are … Continue reading