Savvy Book – The Familiars

Not sure whether I was lured into Stacey Halls’ novel, ‘The Familiars’, by the magic of witchcraft, or by the main character Fleetwood Shuttleworth. Fleetwood, besides being a Christian name, is, of course, the place name of of yet another of the many coastal locations (i.e. greasy and grimy docklands) lucky enough to have beenContinue reading “Savvy Book – The Familiars”

Silly Poem – Conwy

In the smallness of it, I lift up coffin lid and hide in the spaciousness of all that is mine for keeps.   As, in grandeur, my ancestor, Edward I, looks down from his castle tower, perusing all that is his, whilst longing for his own little place in which to be.   Copyright ownedContinue reading “Silly Poem – Conwy”

A Continental Appearance

Wearing last Friday’s incontinence pad, he ambles on into a game-playing cafe in Colchester, thinking to play with the crowds. The crowds, thinking otherwise, disperse and exit. Out in the streets of a Roman stronghold, a centurion gives his orders, and the games continue; continental soldiers, with drip-drying-dangly bits, and wiped-with-shared-sponges bottoms, being impervious.  Continue reading “A Continental Appearance”

Day 5.4: Bridgnorth Hotspots

You left me down on my knees, in a church in Bridgnorth, asking Jesus for blessings for all and sundry – and you thought that was it? Think again! Granted, it takes me some time to detangle my varicose veins (must fork out for a leg tattoo sometime) from the intricate tapestry I am kneelingContinue reading “Day 5.4: Bridgnorth Hotspots”

Bone Chin

1946 – Spike Joe Cool (1939 – present), Jay Cool’s father, of Single Lane, Albrighton, Shropshire Foolhardy. Spike, like his predecessor Humphrey Kynaston of Myddle, could only be described as the perfect embodiment of the phrase ‘bull in a China shop’. Spike, just like his mother Joan Cool of Albrighton, was forthright and fearless. And,Continue reading “Bone Chin”

Feckless Fools: Part Three

Sir Humphrey Kynaston (1468-1534), Jay Cool’s 12th Great Grandad & 15th Great Uncle, of Myddle Castle and Nescliffe Cave, Shropshire My Great-Granduncledad-Something Humphrey Kynaston did, of course, do what all of my genes do best. He fled. Fled from his wife, his children, and his tumble-down castle [1]and his …. No, he didn’t flee from hisContinue reading “Feckless Fools: Part Three”

Back to the Myddle: Day Four of an Ancestral Adventure

Back to Myddle: Day Four of an Ancestral Adventure Following up on a tip from some locals at the Red Lion last night (yes, I did manage to tempt my children back out of the Lodge, with the promise of treats from the dessert menu!), I meet up with my Uncle, and pay a visitContinue reading “Back to the Myddle: Day Four of an Ancestral Adventure”