Author Archives: Jake

About Jake

Long retired travel writer, author and freelance journalist. Educated at Wolverton Grammar and Greenwich Naval College. Happily married since 1958, with a married son and daughter, a married granddaughter and an adult grandson. Hobbies rock-climbing, dinghy racing and ocean racing. Still regularly working out in the gym.

We’ll all go to Dublin in the Green, in the Green

The beautiful, gentle one, whom I call Pollyanna, went off with one of her friends for a City break in Dublin. Ever helpful I donned my travel Journalists hat, reached into my well stocked bookshelf and handed her my copy … Continue reading

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What Happens Now?

what do you think it’s going to be like, once it’s over?  Will it ever be over?  We’ve been living in suspended animation during the pandemic. Even if  you’ve been going to work each day as one of the essential … Continue reading

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Famous Last Words – A Covid-19 Smile

This has to be an ideal time for a sad beggar like me to remind you of others last words. What more can you ask for? “Goodnight my darlings, I’ll see you in the morning!”  – Noel Coward ”It’s never too … Continue reading

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The History of the Lockdown Photographer

Early on, during the lockdown, I noticed my camera bag was gathering dust in my office. I checked the photos that hadn’t been been cleared from the SD card and realised they were more than six months old. My ready-to-go … Continue reading

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Am I Ready For The End Of Lockdown?

In fact fewer than one in five adults of the British public think now is the right time to reopen schools, restaurants, pubs and stadiums.  For many people, lockdown has allowed them to to press the pause button on their … Continue reading

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My VE Day – I Was There!

I was about eight years old in 1943 when I first fell in love. I lived in Woburn Sands which is not far from Bletchley Park of the Enigma fame some of my school friends had parents who were boffins … Continue reading

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What is the South Korean answer? That is the question!

Today I received a newsletter setting out the result of a poll for the favoured method of dealing with the COVID-19. And the winner is; The South Korean method. Now I had no idea what that is so I did … Continue reading

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Life after the Corona Virus Pandemic!

What will be the new norm?  We’re in the sixth week of lockdown in the UK, and while many of us are feeling restless for change, Boris Johnson has warned us we must continue to stick to social distancing measures … Continue reading

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The Silver Lining That Is Our N.H.S.

Before I begin this blog I must declare an interest.  Some 14 years ago, I volunteered my services to my local hospital NHS Foundation Trust.  After two new stainless steel knees, two new thumbs and a Gall Bladder removed I … Continue reading

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My Life in Three Chapters

Here begineth the first chapter of my life Red Ensign – White Ensign The Young Man of the Sea with apologies to Ernest Hemingway   Dedicated to the Wise Owls; Chris, Derek and Billy, my chums, without whom this book … Continue reading

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