Author Archives: bill

My first recollection of the telephone was when our family acquired one in 1935. I was ten years old at the time but telephones were of little or no practical use to us children in those days because, in the … Continue reading →

As I pay more now for my Saturday newspaper than I earned in one week as a lad in my first job in 1940, it occurred to me I should start recording present day episodes and compare them with similar … Continue reading →

I saw Madame S with her son C walking by the grass verge on the approach to the wide avenue that leads to the prison entrance. At least she was walking and the boy was pushing along on a scooter, … Continue reading →

I first heard about ‘the World’s longest undefended international border,’ between Canada and the USA when doing my RAF aircrew training in Canada during the 1939/45 war. Evidence of a certain pride was perceived in the Canadians or Americans who … Continue reading →

We were having a short break in Prague early in the year and had come down from a visit to the Castle on our second day and made for the Malestranske Metro. On the platform I noticed a boisterous group … Continue reading →

When I returned home from work it was to find pandemonium reigning. The children were all there and looked tearful. Ursula had a story to tell me and found it difficult after her first opening ‘   …they’ve taken Snuffy.’ … Continue reading →

It was our first visit to Turkey and we were enjoying ourselves. We found there a mixture of ancient and modern that is only found in transitional countries. The people were friendly and those who spoke English wanted to chat. … Continue reading →

He and Harry had ridden up the serra on mules the year he arrived at the mining town in 1955. As they gazed down at the distant town of Belo Horizonte from their vantage point where the track petered out … Continue reading →

In the 1970’s Sao Paulo was the fastest growing city in the world. Migrants from the north east of Brazil moved to this huge metropolis as, day in and day out, the lorries and trains carrying them entered the city. … Continue reading →