It’s about this time of year that people start looking to the future, and it also happens to be the birthday of possibly the most famous foreteller of all – Nostradamus. Born sometime in the week before Christmas in 1503 and known to his friends as Michel, Nostradamus dabbled in a few things but his […]

The latest series of I’m A Celebrity is nearing its conclusion as the stars face the final sets of endurance challenges before finding out who will be crowned King or Queen of the jungle. There’s been the usual Bushtucker trials in which the celebs have to compete gruelling missions to win food for the camp, […]

Since appearing in Dr No 60 years ago, the world’s most famous spy James Bond has travelled to most corners of the globe in his quest to rid the world of baddies. Whilst there’s no doubt the ingenious gadgets supplied by Q come in handy, as does a bombproof Aston Martin, the fact remains you […]

There’s a saying that if you pay your money, you can take your choice and that’s certainly the case for food where rare forms of everyday items can go for a fortune. Take cheese for example. Now, we don’t mind paying a bit more for some quality mature stilton but if you want a slice […]

To escape the heat from the street I popped into a coffee shop the other day and treated myself to a frappucchino with a slice of banoffee pie. Whilst my eyes were checking my emails, my ears were alerted to the sound of a young child outside, excited at being allowed to walk the family’s […]

In the northern hemisphere July can appear the laziest of months, a time to kick back and relax, take some holiday. Yet the name July emerged from one of the most cold blooded – and celebrated – murders in the history of mankind. The Ides of March was the time when Romans settled debts and […]

Whether it’s food or drink, few countries have had such an enormous impact on world cuisine as France. Champagne to start of course, followed by Chateaubriand washed down with a ruby red Bordeaux or a coq au vin accompanied by Sauvignon Blanc, then there’s the cheese to follow and a glass of cognac. Yet French […]

There’s no doubt that great food can inspire – whether that’s in art, literature or song. But in some cases the impact can be so profound it’s the last thing we think of during our time on Earth. Legendary American frontiersman Kit Carson, whose anniversary falls next week, inspires admiration and revulsion in equal measure. […]

When it comes to creating inventions that have transformed the world, Japan ranks as high as any country and in the words of Alphaville (this reference will only mean anything if you are a fan of 80s music), everything is Big in Japan From martial arts to video games, electronics and transport, this island in […]