Random 
Germany Calling – What is and what should never be
When Count Zeppelin’s airship landed on the outskirts of Nuremberg in 1909 and the field became forever known as The Zeppelin Field little did anyone suspect what would end up being built there. Well now, as you may have gathered from past stories, we are very fortunate to manage to get to Germany on a… Read More ›
Life in the Fast Lane – Jane goes to Woking
Last year John and I got to go round McLarens and have dined out on the story ever since. Jane was invited but she couldn’t make it that day so when Steve Roake popped the question she nearly had his arm off! She returned full of enthusiasm and may even start following the Grand Prix…. Read More ›
The “Velvet Sledgehammer” is no more
When you’ve owned a bike for a while, and had some great adventures on it to boot, when the day finally comes to trade it in for something a tad more modern then it will always be with mixed emotions. So here is a fitting tribute from Steve Roake to his old mate for the… Read More ›
‘Ere John want a couple of tickets for The Shard?
It was just like that, a half whispered nod and wink from Mr ‘Fix-it’ Lubbock at the Icicle Dinner. Seemed that they needed volunteers to see if the arrangements for the paying visitors would work when The Shard opened to the masses in February. Well we nearly had his arm off and ordered six in… Read More ›
Lord Howe, Hindustan, Liberty and The Lee – A nautical tale
Continue up Rocky Lane, past Hartley Farm, to the cross-roads and turn right. This takes you, past the church and into the village known as The Lee. It has appeared in all sorts of films and series including episodes of Midsomer Murders starring as ‘Badger’s Drift’, where a rake of people various were regularily murdered… Read More ›
Len Bartram and the Airfields of Norfolk
Every so often little pamplets or booklets get discovered in Post Offices or behind the bar in a pub that give a very real perspective to local history. The Brief Histories of Norfolk Airfields and the 100 Group (Norfolk) RAF Bomber Command Series, written by Len Bartrum, are a perfect case in point. Norfolk is… Read More ›
Sunset – the Twilight Zone by Steve Roake
Sat here on the patio absorbing the sweet chorus of sunset, serenity descends upon you as you ease into the evening drama. Each act is played against nature’s band of living creatures bustling through their daily chores. Everyday toils are completed, and the natural world starts to take over once again. A church tower chimes… Read More ›
Got a card from a Good Friend
A wedding invitation with a picture of a steam train and Rewley Road Station on it? In decidedly Art Nouveau style? That doesn’t happen very often. This was clearly going to be something very special indeed. The RSVP was duly acknowledged, post-ockta-proctor. Years and eons ago we were travelling to Devon to have a holiday… Read More ›
Whatever happened to Graham Dorrell? Have shed will travel .
Graham Dorrell is one of the most charismatic characters in ballooning, possibly outside as well, and from time to time we are graced with his full on continuous beaming smile and his equally happy other half Julie. Graham has got thousands of hours under his braces and these days flies G-CBZZ, a Cameron Z-275, for… Read More ›
Germany Calling – That’ll be Thursday Bank Holiday then?
Germany Calling – That’ll be Thursday Bank Holiday then? There’s air travel and travelling by air and then there’s Ryanair. Love them or hate them you can go a long way for threepence h’penny especially if you get a stupid past nightingale o’clock flight from Stansted to Blah-Blah (Wherever) which is at least two hours… Read More ›