Bookmarks

I don't often use the Bookmark tool on my browser anymore since I've started using Diigo.  However, tonight I wanted to mark something that I didn't need to keep track of for long and so bookmarked it.  That's when I thought that perhaps I should look at some of my long forgotten bookmarks.  It turned out to be more interesting than I supposed it would.  I discovered a world of Internet use, which hinted at all sorts of interests, some forgotten and some still lingering on in one way or another.  This blog entry is a record of those sites I visited in the past and what they may mean or have meant to me.

Smith and Gore

We had a number of friends who lived in houses owned by the Crown Estates.  They had very expensive accommodation, some of it in the Windsor Great Park; and accommodation at reasonable rents in less luxurious surroundings, for key workers in the community.  I used to visit the site on a regular basis, hoping that we might find such a dwelling, especially in the park.  It never did happen.
These days all the property on the Crown Estates seems to be expensive.

A 1000 days at sea:
 One night quite late, I seem to remember, I somehow came across the website of a man who was trying to sail for a 1000 days without coming ashore.  During this time, he met his future wife and they had a baby.  It was fascinating following the voyage.  I had forgotten about them until tonight.

Bread Matters

I bought a bread book during the Christmas holidays.  It's wonderful and has revolutionized my baking.  Apparently at some point in the past, I came across the website of the book's author.  I think that I was looking for bread making lessons.

Democracy and Proper Drains

From “In Westminster Abbey” by John Betjeman

Think of what our Nation stands for/

Books from Boots' and country lanes/

Free speech, free passes, class distinction/

Democracy and proper drains. 

I met a lady at Othona.  She's a librarian and lives in Dudley.  I remember her talking about drain covers, which were manufactured in Dudley and sent out all over the world.  She started a photo blog with pictures of all the Dudley drain covers she encountered in her travels.  I look out for them whenever I see a drain cover of interest. I see that she hasn't added any in 2 years.  What a shame!

Merrick Pedigree

Two years ago, I suddenly became interested in my family's connection with the Betjemans (see poem above).  I found this site and then started corresponding with the author.  

Betjeman and Barton

As part of my research, I discovered a tea company owned the a branch of the Betjemans.  From what I remember a Merrick married into this branch of the family.  Some day when I go to Paris, I shall visit the shop.  If you look at the site you will see that today the business is run by a remarkable group of women.

Marshalls

I must have been looking for plum trees!

Muji Online

The Guardian runs an article every Christmas on interesting presents.  That is where I found this website and from what I remember I bought a lot from them that year.  New York in a bag, a garden tool of some sort, skittles, and more.  I've just had a look at the wooden toys.  They still have New York in a box but I think my favorite is A Railway Station in a Box.

More another day!