Local authorities are much better now at preserving historic buildings and places. It used to be that anything more than 50 years old was likely to be knocked down in the name of progress but the situation is a little better now. But Pier 54, with a curious maritime...
I’ve rarely seen street art that I haven’t appreciated. And that appreciation is doubled – no, much more – when the venue is the Berlin Wall. When the wall came down in 1989, artists from all over the world commemorated this with the creation...
Luggage covers are, for the most part, pretty revolting design-wise unless you get a plain colour or a transparent cover. But are they a good idea? They are easy to put onto your suitcase and simple to remove and launder. Plus they do keep your expensive suitcases...
It may well be that you’ve been to Charing Cross station in London and, like me, not really noticed the lavishly decorated monument that stands right outside. And if you’re English – we tend to be a bit blasé about the history that’s liberally...
Just before Christmas in 1958, twelve couples driving through California received an unusual Christmas gift. Independently of each other, they all spotted what seemed to be a new motel – the Madonna – and stopped to stay there for the night. The next...
Recently, we’ve discussed the Swedish fika and the English custom of afternoon tea so it’s interesting to see what other countries have as afternoon traditions. What about the Spanish? When you’re visiting Spain will you find an afternoon tradition...
The news is full of it at the moment – the Aurora Station that plans to be the first hotel in space. Hmm, so let’s forget for the moment that reports are saying that a 12 day trip into space, inclusive of transportation and accommodation, will cost...
Number two Willow Road is the central apartment in a row of three – built in the late thirties and designed by Ernő Goldfinger. Goldfinger was a well-known designer and architect – he was originally from Budapest but made his home in London for many years...
Have you ever wanted to see a huge elephant? An elephant that is actually a building you can go into? No, I thought not… But just in case you have, then Margate City in New Jersey is the place to head to. This Lucy, this humungous elephant, could be deemed a...
They were a fierce lot, those Scots. And this castle, located right on the Scottish border has seen more than its fair share of what newsreaders today would call ‘skirmishes’. It was built as long ago as 1470 by the Kerr Clan and is said to have been built...
