Today’s sports for your education are Gymnastics, The Marathon and Diving. Gymnastics I used to work with the wife of a former Olympic gymnast and BBC commentator but this adds nothing to the blog, just reminding you that I am a friend of the stars. Gymnastics is split into two distinct disciplines. ‘Means of escape’ … More A simpleton’s guide to the Olympics (Part three)
Following on from yesterday’s successful guide to Judo, Beach Volleyball and Rugby Sevens, here are today’s essential guide to three sports you previously didn’t care about. Equestrian Dressage Invented in France in 1832 by Jacques Saddle, Equestrian Dressage was originally known as Cheval de Ponce. Dressage came to being due to a slight communication issue … More A simpleton’s guide to the Olympics (Part two)
Do you find yourself baffled when the finer points of the Olympics are discussed? Don’t know your ippons from your en gardes? Are you a little lost when the pub bore explains the finer points of olympian table tennis? Don’t worry, help is at hand with my simpleton’s guide to the Olympics. I will give you … More A simpleton’s guide to the Olympics.
As an occasional treat I’m going to let you know what I’ve been watching recently and more importantly, what I’m not watching. When I first saw the trailer for Sicario it ticked all the boxes, Mexican drug cartels, FBI, the hint of a decent plot rather than merely an action movie and the presence of … More Secret agents, secret CIA plots and my secret love of cycling.
Did you know that Friday 5th August was ‘National No Campaigns Day’? No? Neither did I. That’s because I’ve just made it up. Those that know me know that I’m not one to jump on a bandwagon, I’m not a hashtag whore who will join any campaign just to get a few extra followers on … More Time to stop campaigning
In previous blogs I have covered the importance of rounds and where to sit as well has how to queue at a bar. With this blog I hope to add a few finishing touches which will allow you to enter public houses up and down the country without being chased out with pitchforks. (Disclaimer, I … More Pub Etiquette (Part Three)
Recently I wrote a blog on the collective pride of Sunderland and the 2021 City of Culture Bid. Here is a great video by Robert Carr showing 21 reasons why Sunderland should win. It also has a cameo appearance from this popular local author.
I would hope my earlier blog on pub etiquette will have given you the basics and the confidence to enter a pub without making a complete tit of yourself. Today’s blog builds on that and gives you more valuable information to allow you to weave your through the minefield that is pub etiquette. Seating Seating … More Pub Etiquette (Part Two)
In 1986 I bought my first pint in the long since departed Upper Deck pub in Sunderland. I was on a work night out from my first job and not only was I underage at sixteen, I also looked about twelve. Clearly worried about getting refused or arrested I offered the money to a colleague … More Pub Etiquette (Part one)
A couple of months back I got a text from my brother. ‘Are you the one who mentioned that you like the author Chris Brookmyre?’ ‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘he’s my favourite author and I’ve read all of his books, why do you ask?’ ‘He’s appearing in the Literature Festival in the town where I live.’ … More Ampthill LitFest 2016
Alan Parkinson 