Tag: Summer

Terracotta Soldiers

China: Terracotta Warriors – Finger-Print Analysis – Sheds Light on Qin Dynasty Work-Force! (20.10.2026)

2,200 years ago, a craftsman was sculpting ears for samurai figurines. The wet mud was still soft. He reached out and pressed it down, pressing the final arc of his ear wheel firmly. This action took only one or two seconds.

Fingerprints were left on the muddy surface. Following the clay figurines into the kiln, out of the furnace, and down to the pit, they lay there for over two thousand years.

Now, these marks were being measured one by one. The team conducting this analysis was led by Li Xiaoxi, an archaeologist at the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum in China. They systematically studied the ancient fingerprints remaining on the Terracotta Warriors, publishing their findings in the international academic journal Cultural Heritage Journal.

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The Wyles Family on Tour - 2026!

UK: Giant Sun-Dial [Wakefield Gardens] – Outside the South Exit of Tower Hill Tube Stop! (1.8.2026)

As such, we completely missed this giant sun-dial and were not aware of its presence. Yesterday, (31.7.2026) we visited the Tower Bridge – which allowed us to leave the Tube by its other exit – thus permitting a close-up encounter with the giant sun-dial. The children have seen the sun-dial at the former home of Charles Darwin in Kent – so they were aware of the mechanism and the science behind its functioning. What impressed them (and us) was the sheer scale of this structure. Everyone attempts to get the best and all inclusive photographs. We have always followed the idea that the more the children physically experience – the greater will be their progressive thinking capacity! This sun-dial is fascinating to encounter – similar to finding a maze! London – like England – is full of these kinds of things and we are lucky to live so close to it all!

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The Wyles Family at London Bridge!

UK: The “Engine Room” of London’s Tower Bridge! (1.8.2026)

We visited Tower Bridge on Friday July 31st, 2026. Oddly, none of us had visited this iconic site before. The Engine Room is around a hundred foot or so from the bridge proper (we actually visited the bridge proper – before we approached the Engine Room) – and features the original turbines that lifted the bridge up and down. Although the engineers that built the bridge received ridiculously good wages – the everyday workers who kept the bridge functioning safely on a daily basis received nothing like as good pay. Still, the engine is said to be similar to those found in ships like the Titanic.

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Each 45-Minute Half is Artificially Extended to 48-Minutes!

US: Explaining the Ridiculous FIFA “Hydration-Breaks”! (6.7.2026)

As football is traditionally a winter sport in the UK – hot weather is usually not an issue. However, where British teams have had to play in the heat abroad – water bottles are often placed near the side-line. Players drink quickly during natural breaks in the game – not during specific breaks. Therefore, “Hydration-Breaks” are a cynical attempt by the US to penetrate their hideous form of capitalism into the interior of the footballing game. What matters for them is commerce – not skill. The audience exists not to understand the game – but merely to “consume” in an ignorant manner. In fact, the more ignorant the better – as such a state allows the individual to be parted from their money in a much easier manner. Coaches, understanding the artificial nature of these breaks – are using them as unusual “half-times” where players can re-group and alter their shape or change their approach. All this has nothing to do with genuine football and is a contrivance. Indeed, it is altering the internal structure of the game. Once the World Cup has left the US – these breaks should be dead and buried.

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Father's Day 2026!

UK: Father’s Day Cards! (21.6.2026)

With regards Mother’s Day – the UK has a different day to that recognised universally. Why this is I do not know. Apparently, the UK invented Mother’s Day – which was originally the “Mother of Christ” Day. I am told that “Father’s Day” is the same in and outside the UK. So, there you have it. Anyway, my two daughters are still children and tend to give me cards. Parenting is a difficult and demanding undertaking and certainly not the starry-eyed pastime popular literature likes to portray. It is not romantic to say the least. Of course, children never understand the burden parenthood – and as parents we would do well to remember that we were once children. Although there is no standard rule-book – there are rules. It is hoped that common decency and common-sense hold sway and all difficulties navigated. And on the journey goes!

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A Summer's School Pick-Up!

Sutton: A Typical Summer School Pick-Up! (20.8.2026)

Of course, we live in South-West Greater London (Sutton & Cheam) – which used to be East Surrey until 1965. The place is countryfied and full of trees and parks – the trees are in the streets – planted down the side of the pavements (my dad said – when he visited in 2000 – that this is “posh”). Sutton used to be terribly wealthy in all areas, but now is just a place that well-off people like to live despite the economy completely collapsing). Obviously, I am here just by accident. I ended-up here more or less by accident due to a relationship, etc. Still, we are where we are and have to make the most of it. The schools are good and we are providing the best education we can for our two daughters. This is my partner “Gee” (left) walking with “Kai-Lin” (right) – I am the rear-guard holding the ‘phone. Earlier that day, me and Gee had attended a School Assembly – within which all the children demonstrated to their parents what they had laerned over the last academic year (September-July).

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