Poppy and Stone

French Property

Property Hunting on the Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne, (North)

Let's explore the northern half of the Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne, and check out the property options in settlements along its route.

French Property

Property hunting on the Canal de Garonne (West)

The Canal de Garonne, (formerly the Canal Latéral à la Garonne), is an excellent location for property hunting in France. We'll explore the western section in this post.

French Property

Property hunting on the Canal de Roanne à Digoin, France

Property hunting on the Canal de Roanne à Digoin, France. Come on a virtual cruise with me!

French Property

Useful vocabulary for your French property search

Here's a French property buying glossary which includes the most likely terms you'll come across when you're reading French estate agents' details.

French Property

Les Petites Cités de Caractère and Les Plus Beaux Villages de France

Les Petites Cités de Caractère and Les Plus Beaux Villages de France are two lists where you might just find the perfect place to buy your dream property in France.

French Property

A guide to buying a house in Sancerre, France

Sancerre is a beautiful little medieval city in France. Although relatively small, it has a fascinating history, wonderful gastronomy, and a vibrant community.

French Property

Property Hunting on the River Adour

The River Adour flows from the dramatic mountains of the Pyrénées, to the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic coast. Let's explore the towns and villages along its course.

French Property

Property Hunting in the Haute-Vienne

Are you interested in buying a property in the increasingly popular Haute-Vienne? Here's a post which you'll find helpful.

French Property

French Property Prices

Thinking of buying in France? Where can you find the best bargains, and where can you rule out? Which French departments give you the biggest house for your money?

French Property

Property Hunting on the Canal du Nivernais

Let's explore the towns and villages along the Canal du Nivernais in the very heart of France.

WW1

Private Stafford Hope Venton, Crofton Pumping Station

Stafford Hope Venton worked on the Kennet and Avon Canal. He was killed in action in WW1 on 23rd November 1917.

WW2

Alma Webb - can you help?

Alma Webb served as a nurse during WW2, and my mother, Margaret Whitehead, served with her as a VAD in Abbottabad, India between 1945 and 1946.

WW1

Where's Ted Today?

In 2014 I was keen to involve my 9 year old son in the commemorations for the 100th anniversary of WW1, and I decided that a travelling bear could help.

St Abbs

1851 Census for St Abbs (Coldingham Shore)

The 1851 Census for Scotland was taken on the night of 30th March 1851. Here I list the households in St Abbs, “the fishing village of Coldingham Shore”

St Abbs

What shall we do with the drunken sailor?

This story begins in 1826, when a sloop called Archduke disappeared from Dundee harbour, and it was supposed that she had been stolen....

St Abbs

The Seaflower

The Seaflower was one of five Coldingham fishing boats caught in a storm on the 18th November 1835. Only four returned.

WW1

Acting Leading Seaman Wilfred Dyke and William Moore

The stories of William Moore and Wilfred Dyke are linked by the moment when William nearly drowned in the Coventry Canal.

Me and my books

Nowhere to go

I wrote the poem 'Nowhere to go' when I was a young mother. It was published by Poetry Now in the Voice of Surrey Anthology, 1995.

Me and my books

My house

My poem 'My House' was published by Poetry Now in ‘Voice of Surrey’ 1996.

Canal Stories

The Coal Man and the Goat

A few years ago, I posted a picture of a house up for auction. It turned out that Kev (formerly of Bickerstaffe Boats) knew the property well...

My Family History

My mother's German penpals - can you help?

Before the war, my mother Margaret Whitehead corresponded with a German girl, Christa Leidhold, and two young men from Germany.

My Family History

#12 James Whitehead, 1856-1941

My great grandfather James Whitehead was born on 7th April 1856 in North Aston, Oxfordshire.

My Family History

#16 John Joseph Green, 1846-1899

John Joseph Green, a boiler maker and iron rivetter, was my 2 x Great Grandfather. He was born on 9th October 1846 in New Street, Deptford, London.

WW1

Private Walter Thomas Ewart Harris, in from the cold

I uncovered Walter's story as part of my research into Wootton Bassett's WW1 history, and I am immensely proud that he now has the recognition he deserves.

Canal Stories

The History of Lock 57 Cottage and Belvedere House, Hassall Green

Belvedere House made a particularly interesting research project, which I hope the new owner will enjoy. Spoiler alert, it isn't a warehouse!