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Bram Stoker’s Inspiration for His Location for Dracula -Whitby in Yorkshire and Cruden Bay in Scotland
This article traces the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s character and plot creation for his Gothic story of Dracula, taking the reader on a visit to Whitby and Cruden Bay, two of Stoker's favoured holiday locations, on the North-East coast of the UK.
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A Trip to Osoyoos to Enjoy a Mediterranean Micro-Climate in Canada’s Okanagan Valley
The Okanagan Valley area of B.C.,Canada enjoys a unique Mediterranean micro-climate. Orchards and vineyards thrive there in what was once semi-arid scrub land. Read a personal account of what the charming lakeside town of Osoyoos, close to the US border, offers to tourists and snowbirds.
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Visiting Royal Deeside and Balmoral Castle, the British Royal Family's Holiday Home, in Scotland
The stunning road route from Aberdeen through Royal Deeside skirts the Cairngorm mountains, passing through picturesque villages and small towns, and Glenn Shee, ending in Perth city. This article takes the reader to some of the particular points of interest along the way.
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Twelve Days of Christmas Traditions and Celebrations Ending January Fifth
This article includes a description of the Christian festival of Christmastide and the customs, old and new, associated with the last day of the celebration: Twelfth Night, which marks the visit of the three kings—Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior—to the newly born Christ.
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"Meeting at Night" by Robert Browning (1845): A Sensual Dramatic Monologue Poem Analysis
A contextual analysis of Robert Browning's poem, "Meeting at Night." The poem, published during Browning’s courtship of his future wife, Elizabeth Barrett, has been described as the most sensual poem he had written up to that time.
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Mothers Day (Formerly the Mothering Sunday Church Service) in the U.K.
This article describes the customs associated with the Christian Mothering Sunday church service, which died away over the centuries. Constance Penswick Smith successfully revived the service in the early 20th century, Modern Mothers Day celebrations are a spin-off from the religious tradition.
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The Bizarre British Tradition of Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races (With Foolproof Recipe for English Pancakes)
Pancake Day races and tossing the pancake on Shrove Tuesday are ancient English customs that date back to the fourteenth century and are still observed today. Find out about the origins of Pancake Day races and how to make a foolproof English-style pancake in this article.
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Spicy Butternut Squash Tagine Recipe (Inexpensive Ingredients)
A Middle Eastern dish of complex flavours, combining health-promoting butternut squash with sweet apricots, honey, intense and piquant preserved lemon, tomatoes and fragrant spices. Quick and easy to prepare and keeps well in the fridge for up to four days. Serve with herby couscous or crusty bread.
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An Analysis of the Poem 'Silver' (1913) by Walter De La Mare
An analysis of ‘Silver’ (1913) by Walter de la Mare. Exquisite visual imagery sparks the senses of the reader by evoking the effect created by the phenomenon of a silver moon in a slumbering rural environment. Particularly noteworthy is the skilful use of alliteration and repetition.
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A British Tradition With a Grizzly History: Bonfire Night
For over 400 years, the night skies in the British Isles have been lit by fireworks on November 5th, and the smell of bonfires has lingered in the air. Find out the history of the commemoration and how the date is celebrated in the 21st century.
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‘A Shropshire Lad’: A Contextual Review of the Anthology of Poems by A. E. Housman
'A Shropshire Lad', a cycle of 63 poems by A. E. Housman, was published in 1896 and became a bestseller. This article explores the context in which the poems were written by a deeply secretive poet.
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Bury St Edmunds: A Visitor's Guide to a Quaint Historic English Town
Explore Bury St Edmunds, a small market town close to Cambridge, and a jewel in the crown of the rural county of Suffolk. Visitors make their way there to visit the magnificent cathedral, see the beautiful municipal gardens in the grounds of the ruined abbey, go shopping and much more.
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Creative Writers Inspired by the Landscape of England’s Lake District
Take a literary tour of the English Lake District—an area long admired for its beautiful landscape. The unspoiled beauty of this walkers' paradise has provided inspiration for some of England’s most loved writers and poets including, most famously, William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
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Analysis of 'The Cold Earth Slept Below' by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)
'The Cold Earth Slept Below' is an example of Shelley's interest in both the sublime and in the Gothic tradition in literature. The poem has parallels with a tragic event in his personal life.
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Easter Activities, Traditions and Customs
Easter is both a fun-filled time for children and the most important festival in the Christian calendar. This article relates the pagan history of some Easter customs, how the focus on eggs at Easter started and continues, and describes some ancient Easter customs.
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"Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann (1927): Analysis of a Philosophical Prose Poem About Mindful Living
The advice in the calming poem Desiderata, written in 1927, is an excellent focus for the practice of mindful meditation. A paraphrase in this article of Max Ehrmann's didactic words, which were written for his daughter, is followed by an analysis of the poetic techniques within the lines.
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Analysis of "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe
"The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe is one of the most loved pastoral poems of all time. This article gives an explanation and contextual analysis of this 16th-century appeal to a sweetheart to join the speaker in a country idyll.
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"To My Valentine" by Ogden Nash, Lighthearted Love Poem
"To My Valentine" by Ogden Nash is a charming, unconventional love poem that casts aside cliches in favor of unexpected comparisons
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Must-See in Singapore: The Amazing and Controversial Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Enjoy a snapshot of the opulence and extravagance of a Buddhist Temple in Chinatown. Completed at a cost of S$75 million and opened in 2007, it is high on the list of must-visit places in Singapore.
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Traditional Burns Night Celebrations: Rituals, Dress, Food and Drink
Robert Burns is Scotland's National Poet. On the 25th January, his birthday is celebrated by Scots around the world, often at formal dinners that follow a time-honoured format incorporating haggis, the skirl of bagpipes, the swish of kilts, poems, and a wee dram. Find out more in this article.
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'Ring Out Wild Bells' (1850). A New Year’s Poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
This article offers an analysis of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s 'Ring Out, Wild Bells,' a New Year's poem published in 1850. The sentiments of the poem include letting go of the past, the unfair inequalities in society, and wishes for a better future for everyone are still relevant in the 21st century.
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The Poem ‘Christmas' by John Betjeman: An Analysis
'Christmas' was written by one of Britain's most loved contemporary poets, John Betjeman. Read on to find a summary, explanation, and analysis.
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A Christmas Poem, 'Minstrels' by William Wordsworth
A Christmas poem by England's great nature poet, William Wordsworth. The poem is about an old musical Christmas Eve custom.
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Singapore's Chinatown and the Chinatown Heritage Centre
Step out of the MRT station in Singapore's Chinatown and enter a different world. The cosmopolitan city and the modern blocks filled with high-rise offices and apartments will feel a world away.
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The Poem "London Snow" (1890) by Robert Bridges: An Analysis
Analysis of "London Snow" by Robert Bridges, a poem that creates an image of the transformational enchantment of snowfall in London; which at the time the poem was created (1890) was noisy, crowded, and heavily polluted.
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Origins of Halloween and Soul Cakes (Recipe Included)
Trick-or-treaters hoping for a gift of candy might be surprised to be given these soul cakes instead. Baking and giving them is inspired by a medieval Catholic tradition of payment to the poor to pray for the souls of the dead. Find out more in this article, including a recipe!
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'To Autumn' by John Keats: Poem Analysis
This article is an analysis of one of England's best-loved, evocative, lyric poems, 'To Autumn'. It was the last poem written by the English romantic poet Keats before he died at the early age of 26.
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'When You Are Old’ by W.B.Yeats (1865–1939). A Didactic Poem Addressed to the Love of His Life
This article discusses the context of Yeat’s wistful poem about unrequited love and offers an analysis of the poetic form and techniques in the text.
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Analysis of 'A Dirge': A Poem About Loss and Grief
'A Dirge' by Christina Rossetti (1830-1994) is an intensely personal poem about grief and regret following the death of someone who has led a life too short. It compares the human life cycle with the cycle of the seasons.
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Traditional British Food: Cheap Cuts of Lamb for a Warming Hotpot
A recipe for a traditional British casserole dish of succulent and economical cuts of lamb slow-cooked with layered onions and carrots in a rich gravy, and topped with sliced potatoes. Comfort food for a chilly day.
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A Brief Biography of Lord George Byron (1788-1824), Britain’s Most Celebrated and Scandalous Romantic Poet
This article covers events and relationships that led to the short marriage and the scandalous separation of Lord Byron and his wife that resulted in Byron’s consequent self-imposed exile from England.
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Sensitive Poems for Funerals: 'Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep' and 'If I Should Go'
These two beautiful poems are perfect for a funeral service that aims to celebrate the life of a loved one who has passed. They emphasise hope and comfort and suggest that life goes on both for the deceased and the bereaved.
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Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans) in Spicy Tomato Sauce: A Quick, Cheap and Healthy Supper Recipe
Chickpeas, commonly known as garbanzo beans, are a nutrient-dense, low-fat food—a healthy, budget-friendly substitute for expensive meat. This is a quick, cheap, and tasty recipe for chickpeas in a sauce made from onions, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, paprika, and a little (optional) meat.
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The Basics of an English Cottage Style Garden
Which plants are essential in a traditional English garden? Roses, hollyhocks, foxgloves, lupins, pinks, and more, with a sprinkling of fruits and vegetables.
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The Shrine of the Black Madonna in Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain
Visit the Benedictine Cathedral at Montserrat, set high on the Catalonia mountain after which it is named. There you will find the shrine dedicated to Santa Maria de Montserrat—the Black Virgin.
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Quartz Worktop Overlays: A Review of a Quick, Clean and Stress-Free Kitchen Counter Renovation
A shabby kitchen can be quickly updated on a limited budget with a super-fast, minimum-disruption installation of quartz worktop over. It is the ideal solution for a fast update. These worktops are hygienic, easy to clean, and durable—thin enough to install without damage to existing tiling.
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Newark-on-Trent, UK: Historic Market Town, Home to England's National Civil War Centre
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Newark-on-Trent, a Royalist stronghold besieged three times during English Civil Wars (1642-1651), a delightful small market town with a wealth of buildings of historic interest, and home to England's Civil War Centre.
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How to Visit Venice on a Low Budget
Venice is amazing, unique and wonderful, but can be very expensive. This article gives lots of tips about how to have a long weekend visit reasonably economically.
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Grantham Gingerbread: An Unusual Biscuit With Fascinating 18th-Century Origins
Grantham gingerbread arose in 1740 through a lucky mistake by William Eggleston, a baker in the English town of Grantham. The unique biscuit that he produced has never lost its local popularity. Read about the history and find a recipe in this article.
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Shakespeare's 'Antony and Cleopatra’ in an Historical Context
Does the play 'Antony and Cleopatra' have a subtext that undermines James’s regime, offering a warning about the iniquity of state absolutism? If so, Shakespeare was treading dangerous ground.