I was at college in Manchester in the late 60s and I shared what was euphemistically called a flat with two of my college friends. It was so grim that I would not allow my father to enter. He asked when he gave me a lift back there and I said ” No” . He asked me in as careful and friendly way as possible ” What’s it like Paul?” I paused for a few minutes in the passenger seat of his Triumph car and eventually found a suitable word: “Spartan”. He could find no more words, so I comforted … Continue reading “Kettle’s on!”

“Keep Calm and Carry on” and other such very British slogans have been popular. Some like: ” I’m going out, I may be a while”, famous last tight lipped words of Captain Oats on the ill fated but oddly glorious expedition to Antarctic is another. It’s a phrase I used to use when heading off to the supermarket to buy too much of something that we already had. No more of that then. ” Where on earth have you been?” after a football or rugby match when it was perfectly obvious from the circling beer fumes, is not in this … Continue reading Not going out.

This is on the South Downs way, taken just over a year ago, and I’m putting it out there as a bit of a change from recent c word postings. We can’t get out there any more but the wildlife will hopefully thrive in what will be a peaceful time for them. Keep clear and carry on. Continue reading Where we can't go

Continue reading Sign 8. Self isolate

Continue reading Two wheelbarrows

For those of you not resident in the UK I’ve adapted a number of British road signs, this one has no adaptions to it at all, apart from the meaning. Assuming that you have been buying stuff “just in case”, it may be a lesson in checking at the back of the fridge. I seem to remember making this joke when teaching my daughter to drive ( not much teaching but plenty of left leg brake exercise for me ) and I would say “Watch out for the taramasalata when you go over this next hill in the road”. She … Continue reading Sign 7. It's all Greek to me.

For anyone outside the UK, this series of sign designs is inspired by standard UK road signs. Brown signs are used for visitor attractions. Not many of them open now. Stay well, steer clear. Continue reading Sign 6. British Reserve