In an attempt to prove that ‘normal people can do unusual things’ amateur rower, Duncan Hutchinson, decided to row across the Atlantic from New York to his home town of Lochinver in the Scottish Highlands, in a boat he had built himself.  Unfortunately, some 800 miles short of his goal the forces of nature overwhelmed him, and he had to call … Read More

This week on the Great British Bake Off it was bread week, and contestant Karen proudly presented her showstopper to the judges.  It looked like a triumph with Paul Hollywood commenting ‘I think the decoration’s incredible.’  Sadly, however the inside of her creation revealed a different story – doughy and underproved – and any hope she had had of being … Read More

‘You are a liar. You will never be on a court of mine as long as you live.  When are you going to give me my apology? Say you are sorry.’  So said a clearly frustrated and angry Serena Williams to the umpire of her US Open final, after he repeatedly fined and penalised her for ‘code violations.’  Her outburst … Read More

Having once broken my glasses by walking into a pillar while reading a text, I was interested to read that a government transport advisor has suggested placing road signs at ground level to guide ‘zombie pedestrians’ who are glued to their phones.  His suggestions include red lights on kerbs to warn people to stop at junctions, and ‘text walking lanes’ … Read More

I recently returned to the village where I lived when I bought my first mobile phone nearly 20 years ago.  A lot has changed in the world of communication since then. My first mobile was a chunky handset with an aerial protruding from the top.  It had a tiny screen, could make and receive calls, and could store of maximum of … Read More

In an iconic scene from the film ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’, travelling companions Neal Page and Del Griffith are attempting to drive from St Louis to Chicago, when Del spins the car and ends up driving the wrong way down the freeway. A couple driving the right way scream across at them, ‘You’re going in the wrong direction.’  Assuming the … Read More

Think of British Motor racing and the names of famous racing drivers quickly come to mind: Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, James Hunt and Lewis Hamilton to name but a few.  Just as iconic are the names of the tracks where they raced for glory: Goodwood, Brands Hatch, Donnington Park, Silverstone and Bexhill-on-Sea.  Yes, you heard it right – … Read More

When my children were younger they would often begin a conversation with the following question, ‘How much do you love me?’  I quickly learned that this enquiry was not a memory test, but rather because they were about to ask me for something and assumed that because I loved them I could not possibly deny them.   My observation over … Read More

It turns out that in the world of emojis there are winners and losers.  Of the nearly 3,000 to choose from, amongst the winners are those that feature hearts or faces, accounting for nine out of ten most regularly used.  Amongst the losers are ‘Input symbol for Latin capital letters’ and ‘Aerial tramway.’   The good news for neglected emojis, … Read More