Shouldn't that telephone box be red?

As telephone boxes are fast disappearing from the UK altogether, they're surviving on the campus of George Washington University - albeit in blue. Dear England, we miss our red telephone boxes!

China - don't ban our Vegemite!

Vegemite is a much loved food in Australia, worshipped with an equivalent love/hate that we Brits have for our Marmite.

Click the image to read the article - the small print says "C'mon China, don't ban our Vegemite!"

Morphiana - who knew?

As a by-product of writing a novel centrered on the life of legendary chess player - forgotten by history - Paul Morphy of New Orleans, I developed a minor interest in collecting all things Morphy. Apparently this is known in the strange world of antique trading as Morphiana. Who knew such a thing even existed?

So recently, I just purchased - off ebay of course, it is the 21st century, the proof of which is the Beijing Olympics happening right now with the Communist Party, George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin all looking on (while Russia and Georgia fight a territorial war on their borders!) - and I quietly buy some Morphy stamps.

Who knew Mr. Morphy was such a celeb? Surely you've only really made it when they put your face on a stamp?

Paul Morphy's face on a stamp from Myanmar (formerly Burma) - in their 'Kings of Chess' series!

The Chess Players - your move, Devil!

The painting is called The Chess Players and is by the German Painter Moritz Retzsch (1779-1857). The devil is playing a young man for his soul - and despite having the white pieces - the young man is lost! The devil looks impatient to claim him and the angel ready to weep.

The moral - never play chess against the devil!

Is that my Dad in a Ferrari or what?

Dear England, A lifetime ambition, a few weeks ago my Dad got his boyhood dream realized - he got to drive in a Ferrari!

This took place on a F3 course, and in my Dad's own words, "I'll never buy a Ferrari, but the drive was brill......top speed on the back straight...153mph...fastest bend 92mph...I even impressed myself....and for the last 2 laps the instructor went quiet!"

Glad to hear they both made it back! Apparently the road Ferrari has an annoying design where the gear changes are not on the steering wheel - as they would be in the Formula One car. Clearly these road cars weren't made for 153mph race courses!

Watch out for those cones!

You can just see him behind the wheel in this one - next stop Beijing!

First Chapter Published!

Dear England, I'm pleased to say that online publisher Word Riot has kindly published the first chapter of my novel, The Pride and the Sorrow, with a nice endorsement at this link...Very nicely laid out too. Word Riot currently have about 9000 hits a month, so it's definitely pleasing to be part of their venture!

You can also download the first chapter for free here at Bookhabit.com, the New Zealand company currently promoting my book through their website. If you really want to hear me talk nonsense about the book, there's also an interview directly accessible here and at Review Yak.

Word Riot - good writing. no remorse!

Thanks Word Riot!