On your own doorstep - Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings

                                         

The Town House 15th Century style

Hello Everyone,

Isn't the weather glorious this week in the UK? Let's enjoy it and venture forth, (if or while we can afford it!) Lady M has got a bee in her bonnet about visiting local places. This week she has found her favourite  museum in the archives. She last visited it in 2017. Covid has a lot to answer for. 

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This week I would like to take you to the Avoncroft Museum near Bromsgrove. I have visited it a few times during the last thirty years and I remember my first visit when the shire horse, Lloyd, the one used in the banking adverts was stabled there. Since then, the museum has grown in size. Now it has a model railway and  The National Telephone Kiosk Collection as additions to its buildings. I just love the windmill, toll house, ice house and the prefab house, buildings which take you back to the past. In fact, when I first saw the prefab house in the early eighties I remember thinking that the bathroom was better than mine. Since then, I've had a new suite installed.

Anyway, on my recent trip I strolled round taking some pretty pics before enjoying lunch in the Edwardian tearooms and then wandering round the gift shop. I would like to share some of my pics with you. There is one place which always amuses me because I thought unisex conveniences were a modern thing... apparently not!
                                         

Yes, this is an 18th century convenience or earth closet where the family visited together. You learn something new every day.

The Mission church

Chimneys!

Part of the Telephone Kiosk collection

Toll prices pre M6 days!

The Toll house

So, if you would like to visit Avoncroft and view these buildings and others for yourself the website and details are www.avoncroft.org.uk  

How far is this site from my house? 18 miles. 

Until next week, have a fantabulous time

Love you all, Lady M xxxx

                                     

Proud to be British

I am feeling both proud and patriotic this week. My weekend was spent in front of the screen with wine, ice cream, chocolate and the tv mag. Yes, all the essential things and my favourites for survival in life.

Our lovely Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee. 70 Years as our Monarch. She has remained steadfast through good and bad times. Our anchor through the storms. She has superbly juggled her roles as Monarch, Head of State and the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She has tackled thousands of those daily red boxes demanding attention and her signature. She has completed numerous tours as Head of the Commonwealth. On her 21st birthday she vowed to serve her people throughout her life whether it be long or short. I would not have thought she expected it to be this long. Our longest serving Monarch. 

Recently, she has guided us through the pandemic lockdown. She followed all the rules but continued to be seen in every possible way. Zoom meetings. Her granddaughter's wedding (Princess Beatrice). There was one photo of the happy couple on one side of the church while she and Prince Philip on the other, standing the mandatory two metres apart. She knighted the adorable Captain Tom on the lawn at Windsor for all to see. She addressed us several times giving hope for the future using Vera Lynn's immortal words, "We'll meet again". This weekend she has proved it. We have congregated and celebrated. Good times have returned.

Actually, I am beginning to feel ancient. I remember her Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees. What do we do on these occasions? Celebrate with street parties, decorations, numerous special events. At each one we always think it maybe the last one. Over the years she has showed no sign of slowing down until recently. Alas, I think we all know this will be the last one. She is 96 and in amazing health for her age, just suffering mobility issues. Can she make it to 106?

The celebrations began on Thursday morning with the traditional Trooping of the Colour. She was unable to be present but delighted everyone by appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony escorted by the Duke of Kent to take the salute and inspect her troops on their return. Her son and heir, The Prince of Wales, stood in for her on Horse Guards Parade. He was escorted on horseback by the Princess Royal and Prince William. There were three carriages from Buckingham Palace. The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge and her children were in the first one. Such excitement for all, this was the first time we have seen all three children together at a ceremonial occasion. Prince Louis sat in the middle and attempted to copy his siblings behaviour including waving. Sadly, Princess Charlotte decided he was a little late and was seen putting his arm down. Humorous! The Wessex and Gloucester's were in the other carriages. Later, when their Royal Highnesses had returned to the Palace we had what we had missed in the last years, a real balcony appearance led by the Queen with 16 other working Royals. It was a great start to the four day celebrations.

The next event was the lighting of beacons all across the United Kingdom. The Queen started the first one at Windsor. By the magic of technology she lit one simultaneously in London watched by Prince William.

On Friday morning I was back in front of the screen for the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Queen did not make it but watched on her own screen at Windsor. Prince Andrew didn’t make it either. He had tested positive for Covid as had the Archbishop of Canterbury. Two peeps who did make it were Harry and Meghan all the way from L.A. This was the only time they were  seen in public. 

Two further events followed on Saturday and Sunday. A spectacular concert and a pageant. Another special and unexpected guest arrived for the Concert, Paddington Bear. Our Queen was not present but she started the proceedings with a prerecorded film of her having tea with Paddington. He offered her a marmalade sandwich which he kept under his hat for emergencies. She also kept one in her handbag. Not even her family knew that this was going to happen. Our Majesty always delivers. She started the proceedings on Thursday and completed them on Sunday with another balcony appearance after the pageant. This time with Charles  and  Camilla, William, Kate and the children. We are told nothing happens by chance. This was deliberate. She was looking to the future, standing with the next three kings to continue our monarchy. 

I looked through my scrapbooks, yes, my friends I was born in the reign of King George VI. I was two when the Princess Elizabeth was actually crowned as Queen. I would like to share with you some pics from various newspapers on that day, June 2nd 1953.

Lady M xxxx

Happy Birthday Ma'am

Hello Everyone,

On April 21st, 1926, King George V was delighted to announce to the world, that he had a granddaughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth of York. She was the daughter of his second son, Prince Albert, the Duke of York and his wife, Elizabeth, Duchess of York and third in line to the throne. It was never thought that she would ever become a Monarch. Her early childhood days were carefree and easy in London. In 1936, everything changed, the world heard of the great Abdication. King George V died  and Edward, his eldest son became the uncrowned king, Edward V111. On his abdication, in December 1936, Prince Albert of York became King George V1. From that day on, the Princess Elizabeth was very much aware of how much her life would change.

On her 21st birthday the Princess declared that she would serve her country throughout her life whether it be long or short. She married in 1947 and enjoyed being a Naval Officer's wife and mother to her two young children until the early fifties when she started taking on royal duties in her father's place as he suffered ill health. Sadly, in 1952, while on a trip to Kenya, she learnt that she was Queen. Her father had died sometime during the night of February 6th. From that day on our Queen has devoted her life to duty and the service of our country. Through bad times and good she has remained firm and steadfast. At each milestone and celebration, silver,  golden and diamond jubilees, she has reaffirmed her dedication to duty and service to us, her people and country. Yesterday she was 96, although suffering mobility issues she is still working. This year is her platinum jubilee. I’m not convinced it’s ten years since we enjoyed her diamond jubilee. She has been a shining example through Covid, obeying all the rules and keeping the nation’s spirits up with her messages, and ideas like knighting CaptainTom, and attending Princess Beatrice’s scaled down wedding. 

 I, for one, am proud to be British and of our heritage and Monarchy.

Lady M

                                                      

October!

Lovely Paphos sunset!

Hello Everyone 

It’s October 1st. I can’t believe it either! Where did 2021 go? What have we achieved? 

October! An interesting month, particularly the origin. 'Octo' meaning 8, it was originally the eighth month of the year with November (Nov)  nine and December (Dec) ten. In 46 BC, Roman times, the New Year started in March. Julius Caesar, as Emperor of Rome, reorganised the calendar and made it start in January. He kept the old names apart from the seventh month which he named July after himself. The calendar became known as the Julian calendar. When Augustus was Emperor, he felt that he was as important as Julius and named August after himself.

Later, on 4th October 1582 Pope Gregory introduced the Gregorian calendar. He realised that the Julian calendar worked on the theory that a year lasted for 365 days and 6 hours, thus  Julius Caesar had introduced a leap year every four years. In reality, a year was only 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 46 seconds. As a result of this miscalculation, the world was more than a week out of place, so to correct it, in 1582 the day after October 4th was October 15th! Well, you have heard the saying, 'every second counts'!

Some other events in October throughout the years:

1853  The Crimean War began.

1889  The Moulin Rouge opened in Paris.

1536  William Tyndale, the man who wrote the English Bible, was executed.

1769  Captain Cook discovered New Zealand.

1085  St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice was consecrated.

1899  The Boer War began.

1915  Edith Cavell was executed by a firing squad.

1492  Columbus saw his first land in discovering the New World; he called it San Salvador.

1822  Brazil gained independence from Portugal.

1775  The US navy was founded.

1792  President Washington lay the foundation cornerstone of the White House.

1793  Marie Antoinette was executed.

1707  The First Parliament of Great Britain.

You can't say my blogs are not informative or educational!

Happy October!

Have a great week,  Lady M

An afternoon trip to the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition

Howde Peeps.

So the news is not good. The Virus is taking control. We are trying to cheer you all up the best way we can. We were scrolling through last year's posts when we found this one from March. It was just after her Cyprus hols. She was intrigued by this exhibition at the Museum and tootled off into town. We followed our Lady M with amusement, later she scribed this account for you.  Incidentally, those trams have been replaced with new blue ones. She does not think they are as pretty as these! Please enjoy this post, and remember nothing lasts forever. Not even Covid19. Stay positive, safe and strong. Love Sofia and Donald xxxxx

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Hello Everyone!

Now, we all know that Lady M likes riding the trams particularly as it is free for her. One of those privileges that accompanies senior years. She loves presenting her concessionary pass and watching it click on the reader and then she watches others pay for the privilege of riding. She is frequently amused as she watches peeps behaviour and ponders over what kind of life they have. Such a fascinating hobby. She thinks about their ages and then is reminded of her own and asks the question, how did I get here? Memory lane can be wonderful. 

Anyway, last week she tootled down to the tram stop at West Bromwich Central and hopped on board or to be more precise she carefully stepped on board and almost fell into the nearest seat. The tram filled up on the way into Brum and all seats were occupied when another senior with a stick boarded. She was really impressed when a young person, not seated in a priority seat, politely got up and offered the senior her seat. There is so much bad publicity regarding the youth of today linked with crime and anti-social behaviour. This was a reminder that not all of our youth are miscreants. On her return journey she witnessed a similar situation where another youngster willingly gave up her seat for an elderly person. 

So, where did she go for her afternoon treat? The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to see the Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing exhibition.

"In February 2019, to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, 12 of the Renaissance master's drawings from the Royal Collection will go on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, as part of 12 simultaneous exhibitions across the UK.

Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing, a nationwide event, will give the widest-ever UK audience the opportunity to see the work of this extraordinary artist, with 144 of his greatest drawings from the Royal Collection forming the 12 exhibitions.

Twelve drawings, selected to reflect the full range of Leonardo's interests – painting, sculpture, architecture, music, anatomy, engineering, cartography, geology and botany – will be shown at each venue.

Visitors to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery will see the intricacy of Leonardo’s work through works never seen in the city before. 

Leonardo da Vinci exhibitions across the UK

The exhibitions Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing will include examples of all the drawing materials employed by the artist, including pen and ink, red and black chalks, watercolour and metalpoint. They will also present new information about Leonardo's working practices and creative process, gathered through technical research using a range of techniques including ultraviolet imaging, infrared reflectography and X-ray fluorescence. The findings will be brought together in a ground-breaking new book, Leonardo: A Closer Look, published by Royal Collection Trust in February 2019.

Following the exhibitions at Royal Collection Trust's partner venues, in May 2019 the drawings will be brought together to form part of an exhibition of over 200 sheets at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, the largest exhibition of Leonardo's work in over 65 years. A selection of 80 drawings will then travel to The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyrood house in November 2019, the largest group of Leonardo's works ever shown in Scotland. This will take place 22 November 2019 – 15 March 2020."

Taken from the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery website,

 www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag

Was she impressed with what she saw? Definitely. The name 'da Vinci' tends to be associated with two things these days, Dan Brown's novel and The Last Supper the masterpiece painting by the artist Leonardo da Vinci. It was that painting which she had in mind when she walked into the gallery. She gasped in amazement at the sight before her. Twelve intricate but small drawings which have survived the test of time. To behold such work which had been penned by a hand 500 years ago in itself is remarkable... to imagine this individual working to produce them at a time long before computer images had been invented. Her mind can be over active. Naturally, she took pics before leaving the gallery in awe of this great man's mind and imagination. She would now like to share some of this pics with you and suggest that if you're in the Birmingham area you pop along and see them in the next month or look for the other museums where more of his work is on show.

Just remember, peeps, this work was produced 500 years ago!

Before she left the city she popped into Costa for her fav panini, well one of them, (brie and bacon) and a latte. She thought it was nice of Costa to place one of their coffee houses a few yards away from the tram stop at Grand Central. That was an afternoon which will stay in her mind for a long time. She is a believer that life is what you make it and should be enjoyed. She likes 'firsts', taking opportunities and enjoying experiences. That afternoon was definitely a super experience. So, peeps, go and get yourself some memorable moments this week. 

Have fun, Lady M

Lockdown 8

A holiday memory from Malta

Hello Everyone,

This is week 8 of lockdown and peeps in England have been praised for being good citizens, and obeying the new Stay Home rules. Now, our lockdown has been eased. Stay Home has changed to Stay Alert.  We may drive anywhere in England, but not Wales or Scotland. We may put our homes on the market, and invite strangers in, but we are not allowed to have our friends and relatives round. If we can work from home we should, if not we should be back at work but not using public transport. Oh, and we are now allowed to visit garden centres; they have reopened. Wait for it... we may play tennis, and golf, or go fishing. Confused at the dichotomies? So are we plus there is fear. Fear of putting ourselves at risk, and fear of a second wave because restrictions have been eased too soon.

This week I would like to share my log from the weekend. Please enjoy, even if it leaves you confused.

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Day 47,  May 9^th, back to Groundhog Days.

It’s 11.30 on a Saturday morning. I’m here with my second cuppa. I’ve had breakfast while watching the Kathryn Jenkins’ concert at The Royal Albert Hall on YouTube. One of her words to describe it was “surreal”. Apparently, there was a proper concert planned for VE Day evening but it has been postponed until September. It was an enjoyable half hour concert with some musicians for accompaniment. Kathryn, a true professional, did not let the lonely, empty, deserted, eerie venue affect her performance. She sang the old favourite war time songs, “We’ll meet again”, “A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square”, “The white Cliffs of Dover”, a few others, and the one associated with this pandemic, “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. When historians look back at this time they will see the hope and positivity shown in the symbolic rainbow. Pretty rainbows, many painted by children, are everywhere.

What am I going to do today? It’s a sunny day, so I’ll miss Antonio! I have to make do with ice cream from the freezer. Not as exciting but…

I shall potter in the garden, carry on with my editing and writing, play games, make my phone call and…

BBL

I’m watching “Britain’s got Talent” and have to admit that I am thoroughly embarrassed by the first act. It’s a group of children, “The D-Day Juniors”, inspired by the “D-Day Darlings”. These children show such respect for the war veterans, and those who did not return, but made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. They want to make sure future generations are aware of what that generation did for them. Their act was a song, Pass it On. Such maturity. Why am I embarrassed? Because I remember the fifties, those post war years of austerity, and then the swinging sixties, with the main slogan, you’ve never had it so good. We had not, and that was when we forgot, or  ignored, all  that had been done for us, The war was over, and forgotten. We paid it a kind of mock homage on November 11^th, annually, and that was a bit of an effort. There’s an old adage, “Don’t teach your Grandmother to suck eggs”. Meaning you should not give advice to those who have more experience, and knowledge, than you. Generally, thought that older people are wiser than younger ones, and youth should learn from age; from wisdom gathered over the years. Those children show so much more respect, and wisdom, than I ever did at their age. I’m so pleased that things are back to how they should be. I guess it’s a case of “out of the mouths of babes and suckling”. Thank you to today’s generation for putting things right.

This afternoon I listened to the usual update. It was one of those times in life when I could not believe what I was hearing. From the end of this month all peeps entering UK airports will be quarantined for 14 days. Isn’t that shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted? Other countries put quarantine into operation at the beginning of the outbreak in an attempt to contain it. There will be exceptions. Why? Does it apply to ferries? Apparently, unknown to us, there was quarantine in February for certain sectors entering our country. 


Thinking ahead on this one, if you’ve a summer hols booked, and still optimistic of escaping abroad in July, August or September. Think again. This is obviously another setback for our aviation industry who are already teetering on the edge of both despair and destruction. Let’s say there is a plane going to where you want to go in August. First, there’s the new screening hassle at the airport. Next, anxiety on the plane. Is it safe, or is someone unknowingly, maybe even you, carrying the disease? Finally, you reach your destination, how are you going to be received? After, going through another screening and border control what will greet you beyond? Unhappy locals? Are you bringing them the virus? If you’re in a hotel or eating in restaurants, (if they are open) will you still be practising social distancing? Then, when it’s time to come home, will there be a plane or will it be another case of borders closed, and flights cancelled in that week or two while you’ve been on a “holiday”? Okay, you get through the screening, onto the plane, and eventually land back in the U.K. only to be whisked into quarantine. Or possibly, confined to your home for two weeks.

Easier option, this summer. Visit our coastal resorts for a week or two, again as we did in the fifties and sixties, but will you be any safer? Social distancing? Many places closed. Guess, it means forget all hols for the foreseeable. When we are allowed freedom again, will that industry have survived?

Further listening, and I’m thinking, another backward step. We should all be walking or cycling to work, thus avoiding public transport, (public transport cannot cope with the numbers who would normally travel due to social distancing), and taking exercise at the same time. Escooters are going to be trialed now as opposed to next year. A century ago peeps lived near or where they worked. Then, a new affluent society emerged, and the arrival of the suburbs. Peeps were looking to move out of towns, and cities, to a more rural environment, and a better life, away from work and the commuter was born. The new “must have” was a vehicle. Most homes had one car. Now, each member of the family needs a car. It’s looking like the car is becoming redundant, and peeps are going to be living nearer their work again, if they can find work. The wheel has gone full circle. Peeps are being taught a lesson.

Those five tests for easing of restrictions are being mentioned again. Tomorrow evening, at 7.00 pm Boris will be giving us another message on how things are moving. We’re to be told to “stay alert” as opposed to “stay at home”. There’s evidence from other countries, who have eased restrictions, that cases have risen again and fear of a second wave. It’s not looking good is it?

Another sad note in the news. The adorable Little Richard, has died at the age of 87. For youngsters, who have no idea who I’m talking about, he was the founding father of Rock and Roll.

Time to say goodnight, be safe, see you tomorrow. As Colonel Tom says, “tomorrow will be a good day”.




Day 48, Sunday, May 10^th. Groundhog Day? Who’s counting?

Good morning all. Our sunny days have left us, temporarily I hope. Think the heating will be back on today. It’s Sunday, again, the special day of the week. I’m here with breakfast while watching, what is now the norm, a surreal morning service. It’s the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, in Hereford  Cathedral. Rather a long way from Dover to Hereford isn’t it? It’s followed by a new programme of Sunday Morning Stories. Yes, Sunday is slowly getting back to the way it used to be. Second cuppa time.

Back to work until “Songs of Praise”.


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Until next week, wherever you are in the world stay safe. 212 countries now have the virus and you probably dwell in one of them. Be happy, smile and the world will feel a better place.


Love to all, Lady M xxxxx

                                                      

Sofia's Choice 3...The Introduction to her book "Life is..."

Howde Folks,

Sofia here with Donald for our third week. After last week's serious post we have decided to share another poignant one with you. We remember her writing the intro to her amusing little booklet of quotes on life with a few of her words of wisdom thrown in. She wrote it after another terrorist attack and we feel that, once again, lessons can be learned from some of her writing. Please read and digest. Next week we will return with a humorous post, we promise you!

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"It is June 4^th, 2017. I am writing this introduction while listening to the melodic tones of Take That singing ‘Manchester we are strong’. They are performing at the tribute concert, One Love Manchester. Yes, I’m a woman so I can multitask! Thirteen days ago a suicide bomber detonated a homemade bomb at the Manchester Arena as people were leaving the Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-two innocent people, including many children and teenagers, were killed and more than a hundred injured. The attacker was Salman Abedi, born in Manchester, with parents of Libyan origin. Ariana’s reaction was to return to Manchester for this tribute concert.

Terrorism is the scourge of the twenty-first century and with the advent of social media the world was aware of the Manchester attack within minutes. Foreign leaders all made their customary speeches to ‘stand with Manchester’. The world unites on these horrific occasions and this was the worst in the UK since the London bombings on July 7^th , 2005 when four Islamist extremists detonated three bombs on the London Underground and a fourth one on a bus. This attack resulted in fifty-six deaths (including the attackers) and over seven hundred injured people.

This was the second attack in the UK in two months. On March 22^nd, Khalid Masood drove a car into people on Westminster Bridge. He ran out of the vehicle into New Palace Yard and stabbed an unarmed police officer before he was shot by a police officer. The incident resulted in six deaths and forty-nine injured people. Then, the rest of the globe supported London.

This morning, I, on auto-pilot, switched on the television to see a ‘BBC breaking news’ on the screen.  Another terrorist attack at 10.08 yesterday evening on London Bridge. The third attack on British soil within three months. A white van had been driven into crowds crossing the bridge. Three males emerged, carrying knives, and moved toward restaurants stabbing as many people as they could saying, ‘This is for Allah’. At 10.16 pm their reign of terror was over. After eight minutes of freedom the police arrived and shot the three attackers. During those few minutes they succeeded in causing eight deaths and forty-plus injured people, some critical.

Have these ISIS people, who claim to be of the Islamic faith, ever read the Koran? Each Surah begins by stating that Allah is compassionate and merciful. Allah does not condone merciless killings. How often have we heard Muslims claim that these terrorists do not belong to their religion? Islam is a religion of peace.

At the moment I can see Robbie Williams singing ‘Angels’ and a crowd of fifty thousand people smiling and singing along with him. This is defiance. Some of the audience were present on that fateful night but are not prepared to surrender to terrorism. President Trump has called terrorists ‘losers’. I compare them to the classroom bullies who are basically cowards and can never be allowed to win. As Friedrich Nietzsche stated, ‘That  which does not kill us makes us stronger’. This audience are strong and united.

At present the UK seems to be the terrorists’ main target. At this sad time I am sure the people of France feel the emotion with us as they remember their attacks through 2015- 2016 in Paris, Nice and Normandy. Who could ever forget the slogan ‘Je suis Charlie’ after the attack on January 7^th, 2015 at the Charlie Hebdo magazine office when twelve people were killed? Germany and Belgium, our other close European neighbours, have suffered from ISIS attacks in Berlin, Wuerzburg, Ansbach and Brussels. Iraq, Turkey, Libya, Egypt, Canada, Australia and America…yes, it is a global problem. Tunisia… a prominent and memorable attack by a lone assassin on western tourists at a hotel in Port El Kantaoui in June, 2015. This shooting was at one of the most unlikely places… a beach where people were relaxing and enjoying a holiday. It resulted in thirty-eight deaths and thirty-nine injured people. The assassin was killed by the police.

I am sure Americans shiver with horror at each new attack as they remember their horrendous attacks on The Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, and The Pentagon on September 11^th, 2001. Three planes were successfully hijacked and hit their targets. A fourth plane did not reach its destination, thought to be Washington, as the passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers and the plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. This was the work of another extremist Islamic group, al-Qaeda. Total fatalities were 2,996 and over six thousand injured people.

When will our leaders actually admit that terrorism is not just a global phenomenon but our third world war? One hundred years ago The Great War, later to be termed World War 1, was coming to an end. It had been fought in various places in battles and by man against man; by soldiers on horseback or on foot using weapons of the era. Twenty years later in 1939 the world was at war again. It was a still a war with battles and fought by soldiers on battlefields, those men were fighting for freedom and a better future but it was a different type of war using new weapons of the time… aeroplanes and bombs. In addition to battlefields, it was a conflict fought from the air. Bombs could be dropped from above destroying buildings and causing maximum damage to both life and infrastructure. World War 2 was declared the war to end all wars but it does not seem to have worked. I believe there has only been a short period of time, (I read somewhere – fifteen minutes) when no country has been at war. There was Vietnam, Chinese Civil War, Arab-Israeli War, Indo-Pakistani War, Korea, The Falklands… to mention a few! All fought for a purpose, whether it be land, religion or freedom.

However, we are now in the twenty-first century and we have freedom, social media, technology and materialism in a way never known before. Maybe the pendulum has swung too far towards liberty and a tolerant society. As the last weeks have proved it is not safe to cross the road or go to a concert. Looking back to 2015, 2016, neither is it safe to go on holiday, travel on public transport, go shopping in the market, go out for a meal, sit on the beach or really do anything. We have become prisoners of war in a world where terrorists are the enemy. It is a different kind of war; a war where ‘attacks’ have replaced battles. Not a war where planes drop bombs from the skies or soldiers fight battles in fields. It is a war using twenty-first century knowledge and weapons. Knowledge of how to make simple bombs capable of great destruction is easily available on the Internet. Guns and knives are equally easy to purchase. Our enemies are Islamist extremists who believe that martyrdom is the will of Allah or maybe their heroes are the kamikaze pilots of World War 2. They are just using different methods to find their divine wind route back to Allah.

In these sad times we may ask what life is about. It is easy to be miserable and afraid. It is easy to change our routine but we need to be strong and continue with our plans. If we do that our enemies will not win. I, like most people on the planet, have become a great fan of social media and in particular, Facebook. During the last six months I have been posting daily. Firstly, it was Words of Wisdom and then I moved on to Life is…  Some of my thoughts were philosophical, others humorous. Sometimes I added photographs and emojis or I dedicated certain sayings to individual people. On a couple of occasions I even added a short story telling the inspiration behind the quotation, for example…Life is about turning left instead of right and having an adventure!

I noticed that I was getting a lot of those like clicks and friends seemed to be enjoying my humble daily offering. I had an idea… put all of my posts into a short book and publish them. I have placed one of the Words of Wisdom after every five or six Life is… quotations; some Life quotes have illustrations, either photographs from my albums or downloads from the Net under creative commons licence. All the acknowledgements may be found at the end of the booklet after information on my books.

I hope that those of you who have downloaded this will delve into it on the dark days and find that it puts the smile back on your face.

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