Spangled

I recently acquired this nice little Half Dollar coin, in time for some sort of celebration the Americans are having. It's a big deal for our transatlantic cousins apparently LOL.

Rarity

It's not very often these days I willingly, or otherwise, get to visit Reading. 

The town has certainly changed these past few years. Some changes are positive, and sadly a great many not so. There's a lot of empty shop units, and those that are still occupied seem quite devoid of actual customers. 

Plus of course nearly at every turn there's people begging and also evidence of a lot of rough sleeping.

If this is what "success" looks like in 2026, I'll have none of it thank you very much.

Anyway, here's a selection of hopefully uplifting pictures. (Since the Bayeux Tapestry now on- temporary- display in London, I thought I'd take another look at the Victorian replica held at our local museum.)

200 And Fifty

Just a bit of fun for any visiting Transatlantic patriots LOL.

New World

My Postie delivered something of a little surprise today, an item I had completely forgotten I had ordered. How foolish of me!

This year the Royal Mint is celebrating one of the ships to carry the name HMS Beagle, although likely the most famous one. Originally built as a gun ship for King George IV, it was repurposed as a survey vessel and undertook three important voyages of discovery. On the second journey, Charles Darwin joined Captain Robert FitzRoy on the expedition of the New World.

After the third voyage, in 1859, the Beagle was stationed in Essex as a static Watch Vessel to deter smugglers, before being auctioned and broken up.

Mind Your Language

"If it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French." - King Charles III to President Donald Trump, 28 April 2026.

Underground Overground

The witty girls and boys of London Underground (aka TfL) have posted this for St George's Day. 

Too good not to pinch.

St George

Celebrating England's Patron Saint, a man who never set foot in Britain. If in deed he ever existed LOL.

Buns

Hot Cross Buns, what better way to mark Good Friday?

Despite all the chocolate egg hunts and Easter Bunnies etc, it's important to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.

Cilantro

Yeah that's a really daft name and one that only North Americans tend to use but it got your attention.

Nevertheless I found this little gem the other day: a reminder of a really awesome restaurant I used to occasionally visit and where some wonderful memories were created. 

Although it was a bit of a drive and parking nearby could be problematic, it was always well worth it. I recall the menu was extensive and the portions generous, as was the Bill LOL. You can't expect an incredible experience without being prepared to pay. I think it survived the madness of the 'Rona days but shut up shop shortly thereafter. It's certainly long gone now.

Happy times.

Rumour Has It

Rumours (see what I did there?) abound I've been out two nights in a row. 

'Tis true, this evening was spent at a very special evening celebrating the music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight. Electric candles, of course: you never can be too careful. Nevertheless it was a truly amazing and atmospheric event, set within a lovely old English church. What's not to like..?

05 And Twenty

Cryptic but it's gonna be fun LOL.

Decimal 60

What better way to celebrate sixty years of decimal currency than with some lovely Mintmark and Privy Mark coins? 

In 1966 Australia marked "Changeover Day" with the introduction of decimal Dollars and Cents. Previously the country had used British Pounds, Shillings and Pence (LSD) before adopting their own versions of the same. Now, in the mid 60's, the much more logical, easier to understand currency was to be used to signify the modern, forward-looking and confident Australia.

The Royal Australian Mint has issued, in readiness for this milestone (14th February), a beautiful four coin set of $1 coins. The Three Privy Mark items represent the Mints of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and are marked B, M and S respectively. The final $1 coin is marked C for Canberra, Australia's federal capital city (referred to as ACT or Australian Capital Territory).

Aren't these awesome?

War Is Over

You know the Cold War is done when near 70 year old former nuclear bunkers fall into the sea LOL.

Read here, from the BBC about this coastal site in Tunstall, Yorkshire.

Concorde 50

Growing up I had posters of this wonderful aeroplane on my bedroom walls, and books containing losts to useful facts and images. Yet I never got to fly. Sure over the years I've been aboard several Concordes but sadly always on the ground. Whilst the first test flights were in the 60's, a Supersonic commercial service didn't start until 1976.

The Royal Mint have issued, to mark this event, a marvellous circulation 50p coin. Naturally I couldn't resist this presentation pack, which includes a larger 1976 50p LOL.

Enjoy.