January 23, 2012 at 10:37 pm
· Filed under Rob's Blog !
A day spent on genealogy research into the Cann and Holmes family in mid Devon – specifically Wolfardisworthy and Morchard Bishop and then on to Teignmouth.
A few photos – Daffodils out in January is worrying – especially if we have a cold snap! A Devon signpost and a couple of photos of Dartmouth and the River Dart tonight from my parent’s house – I love the reflections.
January 23, 2012 at 8:55 am
· Filed under Rob's Blog !
The Two Ronnies were an epic British comedy duo. Ronnie Barker (the larger of the two) sadly died a year or two ago. This is possibly the best example of British “dead pan” humour ever !
The Four Candles Sketch (1976) !
This takes 8 minutes in total but you will either find it hilarious or you will find it bizarre that we all find it hilarious !!
January 20, 2012 at 10:27 am
· Filed under Rob's Blog !
I just thought I’d do this comparison. The weather in London, actually in the city, tends to be warmer and less wet than in the Cotswolds….simply the size of the place creates its own micro-climate. Right here today, in the English Cotswolds, its sunny with some cloud, breezy and 45F at 9:30am !
January 17, 2012 at 11:00 am
· Filed under Rob's Blog !
The Cruise Ship “Costa Concordia” in happier times
With the on-going disaster in the Mediterranean with the cruise ship Costa Concordia, what we all might of thought of as a “safe” way to have a relaxing vacation and see the world, might not be “la realite“.
The “Costa Concordia” aground in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy
Although these ships are supposed to be safe, the mere shape of them given what is above and below the waterline, worries me. And then you can’t legislate for some idiot that wants to steer the thing so close to rocks that you can touch them, just to show off? And the evacuation procedure…..? We might have wondered how that would work, well now we know.
I was reluctant to include this piece of video but it is so extraordinary I felt I had to
Evacuation, however, seems to have been quite straightforward for the cowardly Italian “Capitano” who made good his personal escape to a life raft (saying he had slipped off the ship and “fallen into a lifeboat“), leaving hundreds of hysterical women, children and elderly to fend for themselves in true “…..I’m alright Jack” style. I applaud the Coast Guard for his use of expletives while haranguing him and ordering him back to his ship.
Meanwhile this extraordinary footage has come to light of a representative urging the passengers to return to their cabins and all the while the ship was listing over and sinking. This reminds me of an episode of Fawlty Towers with John Cleese when the kitchen was on fire? You couldn’t make this up….its way too bizarre.
Passengers are told “Go back to your Cabins”
And then as if things could get no worse, the Moldavian woman who the Captain was allegedly wining and dining and who was not, apparently, on the passenger list, denies he slipped off the ship and claims he was a hero who saved the 3000+ lives. What an embarrassment.
Illustrating the dimensions of the cruising ship the “Costa Concordia“
Ever more enormous ships are being built, effectively as floating hotels, enabling people to fly across the world and sample the local lifestyle without leaving a dollar economy, might seem an attractive prospect until we consider what happened on Friday?
As for me, as far as ships are concerned and living on an island, we sort of have to use them but I am always aware of where I am sitting on board in case I need to get off quickly…..and I am always relieved to reach port.
Cruise ships like the “Costa Concordia” have a very shallow draft
And I may not be a naval architect but question the science of a ship larger than the Titanic and carrying twice the number of passengers, that is somewhat taller than the Titanic but with less than half the draft (the Concordia has only 25 feet below the waterline but is 187 feet high). I may be a top heavy fat man myself but if I fall over I can get myself up again.
So no….”a life on the ocean wave” is not for me and the sooner these shipping companies start designing ships that are demonstrably safe for the passengers that use them and not a few more zeros on the profit margin, the better.
I am sure that all that read this, will have in our thoughts and prayers those who have lost loved ones in this disaster.
January 16, 2012 at 8:44 am
· Filed under Rob's Blog !
Before dawn, Tetbury in the English Cotswolds!
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At 7:35am, I stepped outside to take the first photograph looking into the eastern sky 15 minutes or so before dawn – ice on the windshield. I am off to meet an old colleague who worked for me when I had my recruitment business – Recherche Recruitment – a “head hunting” consultancy. Maybe I will be macho and go on the bike…..we’ll see !
Rob Little
Driver / UK Tour Guide
Lets Tour England !
January 15, 2012 at 11:06 pm
· Filed under Rob's Blog !
This is my father’s blog with stories and memories from himself and others – If you are interested in the history of Dartmouth and Kingswear during the 2nd World War Years check here…..
There is a great deal of American history in this area particularly around the Mayflower and the second world war – the rehearsals for D-Day took place at nearby Slapton Sands and Torcross beach. There is a Sherman Tank on display that was recovered from the seabed after a terrible disaster where American lives were lost during the rehearsals at the hands of a German U-Boat. There is lots to see in this area and read about !
Rob Little
Lets Tour England.com
Bomb damage in Duke Street, Dartmouth (Butterwalk)
Bomb damage in Duke Street, Dartmouth (Midland Bank)
US Landing Craft using the ferry slipway on the River Dart in Dartmouth
US Landing Craft during the rehearsal for D-Day on Blackpool Beach in the evacuation zone
These videos explain what happened at Slapton and Torcross when the local people were evacuated and the American Army took over…..and the disasters that happened during the rehearsals for D-Day. Local people knew absolutely nothing about this and were not in the habit of asking questions! Even the families of the casualties were not told what really happened until the 1970s.
Slapton & Torcross Secret History – D-Day Disaster (1/4)
Slapton & Torcross Secret History – D-Day Disaster (2/4)
Slapton & Torcross Secret History – D-Day Disaster (3/4)
Slapton & Torcross Secret History – D-Day Disaster (4/4)
Sherman Tank at Torcross – recovered from the seabed
