1745 Coaching Stone - Original 18th Century GPS!

Sutton: 18th Century Coaching-Stone – the Original GPS! (13.4.2026)

I may well have written about the old coaching-stones scattered around Sutton and Cheam – I now of two – but was unaware of the date they were established. Basically, these devices informed travellers on foot, horse, or carriage – how many miles it was from where they were to the centre of London. Coachmen could either read the inscription engraved on the stone – or was taught what the stone said and remembered where it was when driving on the road – either way – these coaching-stones served as the original GPS system for travel. I think the Roman established something similar thousands of years ago – so the concept was not new in 1745. What I did not realise is that these stones have now received official recognition of being historically important monuments worthy of preservation and protection. The iron-bars and plaque are the new editions which I only saw when taking a rare walk through Sutton.

Paignton: The Gurkha Curry! (27.8.2025)

This is a very sought after place with tables having to be booked weeks in advance. The cuisine is Nepalese (Gurkha) and is exceptionally good. The children enjoyed the rice and poppadoms – and it was a good experience for them. I was shocked to learn that the average price of a burger nowadays is around £8! Can you believe that! Even curries are not that cheap nowadays and so I am grateful we were guests and not hosts. As my mother is bed-bound abs could not attend in person – we ordered a curry to take home for her! We had a wonderful time surrounded by our family.

Possibly the Narrowest Street in the World!

Exeter: Parliament Street – the Narrowest Street in the World! (2.8.2024)

However, in 1660 a counter-Revolution occurred that saw the Bourgeoisie retain their power – but switch their allegiance away from the peasants and workers and back in favour of the aristocracy and the royal family (although being careful to only reintroduce a Constitutional Monarchy with any real or actual power). Voting for the masses was abandoned – with voting only encouraged amongst the most wealthiest and influential of the post-Cromwellian middle class. I mention this as some have speculated that Parliament Street was renamed as such – as a slight against Cromwell – but I doubt this. Prior to the counter-Revolution of 1660 – Cromwell was very popular and was so powerful that anyone with sense would not dare risk their lives by doing something so stupid as altering a street name.

Sutton Friends of Palestine - 2024

South London: Sutton Friends of Palestine – March! (29.6.2024)

Of course, we support the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) – and I often translate their Arabic-language articles into English translation. I have no idea what the internal politics are for the Sutton Friends of Palestine – as all these groups are affiliated to this or that orientation. As matters stand, this group formed-up in the square outside of the Waterstones Book Shop. I over-heard that they would soon be marching through Sutton High Street. We tried to acquire a leaflet – but was told that there were none – but we could “purchase” a badge – which seems a little lax. Leaflets can and do travel far and wide. We are Veterans of protest marches in the UK – most through Central London and involving millions of people! The anti-Israel marches have usually attracted huge numbers – primarily of Muslim people and their supporters. Perhaps half of this group were Muslim people.

Class Anatomy of an Inner-city Playground

Blatant aggression is protected through the auspices of the conventions of bourgeois law and the prevailing fade that constitutes the preferred attitude toward children and their upbringing. To correct a badly behaving child in public, particularly a child that is not your own, could be construed as some kind of ‘abuse’, or ‘assault’, whilst the stupid actions of ignorant parents are view as ‘correct’ and ‘healthy’ due to the biological link.