Where did Charles Darwin live?

In 1842 Charles Darwin, and his wife Emma Wedgwood, moved to the lovely Down House on the outskirts of South East London. They lived there for 40 years until his death in 1882. Charles was a focused and determined scientist while maintaining an active village life.

He loved his "Sandwalk" and spent many happy hours walking up and down through the trees reflecting on the origins of humankind. He wrote his famous book "On the origin of Species" in the study and could now find his old home being awarded World Heritage status in the coming months. Read more...

Alum Bay

Tucked away in the western corner of the Isle of Wight is the beautiful Alum Bay. This is an extraordinary bay due to its unique coloured sand. A multi coloured kaleidoscope, a layered paradise. Yet many come down to Alum Bay and they miss the point, they miss the sands. They throw stones and take the boat trip but miss the treasure. Isn't this like life?
Read more to find out.

Deathbook

Deathbook!! Whatever next!! We've had Facebook and now Twitter - it won't be long before another comes along. But someone has suggested Deathbook. It started as a spoof - a system to send emails, tweets and pokes from beyond the grave.

The more you think about it, the more it has a point. Who is going to deal with all the virtual friends, the articles and the networks. What about money made at Bukisa and Triond that will still be coming in? Who is going to collect it all? Good questions - see you on Deathbook!!

Festival Song

Walking away from the Big Top at the Isle of Wight Festival brings so many mixed emotions. The amazing "Australian Pink Floyd Experience" had just completed a wonderful set, long into the warm evening. In my head were the searing guitars and yet my heart was wrenched by the beautiful "Wish you were here".

It brings a quiet sadness when reflecting on the deaths of brother and mother in the last few years. Times of high enjoyment, that soaring sense of wonder, seem to breed the silent cry "How I wish you were here"

Read my Festival Song

Arromanches

Standing on the sand provoked so many thoughts. Behind were candy shops and arcades, it looked like any other village by the sea. Along the beach were people playing, lovers walking and kites flying, it could have been any vast, wild expanse of sand. But ahead, like giant metal rocks sunken in the sand at low tide, were the remains of Mulberry Harbour. What an unnerving reminder of a sinister past.

Read the full post...

Summer Nights

We've had some lovely weather in London recently and there is more to come over this Bank Holiday weekend. Some of you from warmer climes will not appreciate that 21 degrees is HOT!!

In recognition of this, I have published the third in my "Four Seasons" series of poems and it's called (appropriately) Summer Nights. Have a read and give some feedback. 

Kate Smedley (from Derbyshire) says: "I am so with you on this, I sit up until it's dark at this time of year and still sleep with the curtains open, I love the light nights. Great poem!!!

PS - Don't forget - if you have any shopping to do at amazon, click the button on this page.

Opportunities with Amazon

Welcome back to the blog that raises money just by having you here!!

Since your last visit I have brought Amazon on board. This means that if you have any purchases coming up through Amazon then click on the link above and Amazon will contribute to the cause when you buy from their site. Some of you will buy from them regularly, others not. Click the link and see what they sell - you will be amazed at their range and their prices.

This is another chance to give without actually parting with any more cash!! A real credit crunch busting idea!! If you have any more ideas or feedback do leave a comment below (click "comments").

Latest poems in the usual place - keep doing the write thing!!

Click and read.

  

St George's Day

Today is the day when we remember St George, but who on earth is he? The patron Saint of our country - not of Scotland, nor of Wales but of England. This is the country that doesn't exist on the internet - scroll down menus have Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea BUT not England!!

So read The St George's Day poem and answer the question - who was St George? If you have any answer to this question then add a comment at the end of this blog and I will publish the most useful ones.

For all you commuters, there is a commuter poem on the blog this week - check it out!! It was written while gazing out of a commuter train.

World Autism Day

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. A day for focus, a day for reflection. How many children and adults in the UK, in the world, have Autism - and how many of those have no idea that they have Autism?

Those with Autism have a thousand shades of the condition, the "spectrum". They have social communication issues, they struggle to interact with others and have an imagination that can be obsessive and unable to see the way through the regular things of life.

There are reckoned to be between 6 and 10 out of every 1000 people who are on the spectrum, many with genetic connections, all with brain disorders and none with a cure. So, increase your awareness on this special day. 

Tribute to Jade Goody

She annoyed us, attracted us, outraged us and made us smile. She seemed dumb, clever, mindless and mindful all at the same time. She was Jade Goody.

This morning at 3.14 am, Mother's Day, she passed away and is now at peace. Whatever we thought of her, we should think of her today, of all days. We should think of her children, her partners and all those involved in her life. We should feel for them, however briefly.

I wrote a poem a couple of days ago. It tries to express the wide range of feelings at this sad time. I woke up with the lines, the rhymes, the flow. It was something I had to get down on paper. I hope you like it.

If you didn't like it, pass it by

If you liked it, pass it on!!

Doing the write thing?

I have a passion for writing

Many hours are spent thinking, writing, training and speaking - helping other people to express themselves. I write papers, proposals, poems, speeches, songs. I write using facts, emotions, drama and even with a spiritual edge too. All of life can be captured with a pencil and some plain paper - why not develop your own passion for writing?

One of my sons has Autism

My 15 year old son has Autism and has complex additional needs. He gets on with life as best he can - like we all do!! This has led me into working with charities that support young people with Autism. I have raised thousands of pounds from running, writing and networking.

Do the write thing

Some of my writing has been published and earns money from advertising. I want to link my writing and my fundraising and you don't need to give money (you can do, but you don't need to!!). All you need to do is come to the blog and click on one of the links to my work - every click earns money.

Where do I click?

Any of the links on the right will take you to my poems and other writing. Click, read, enjoy and click on another. Every week new stuff will be on the site ready for more clicks. You can click on other ads too if you want to - they all add up!! 

Don't forget to leave comments and, if you like the idea, tell your friends - click into action and I'll keep you posted. Thanks, revivor.