Olympic Torch Visit

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OdIWYWC5_IxbgwF9LhlaQ-7R3xCljqaK3oEv_QdaMSgbfE7Z2NRRZVNH8eUBS_hYEC5WQ7kt-nqAdZiIzG7IOMXvA4VkUjEQithOQB-5sGmVADTdAmzcmEs7lXK6vVMQ8pyxEGngito/s1600/2012-07-09+10.25.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OdIWYWC5_IxbgwF9LhlaQ-7R3xCljqaK3oEv_QdaMSgbfE7Z2NRRZVNH8eUBS_hYEC5WQ7kt-nqAdZiIzG7IOMXvA4VkUjEQithOQB-5sGmVADTdAmzcmEs7lXK6vVMQ8pyxEGngito/s200/2012-07-09+10.25.31.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Just been to Winslow in Buckinghamshire to see the local leg of the Olympic Torch Relay... bough the £2 flag and stood with my wonderful family to watch it... Matt was a little overwhelmed by the noise.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Utt5pRlIR9LU1oSv0Oxe7OX-Tm6PMhMydZ3kloWXpM3NaCSMpLDuvUEIqlZSIw4pa-ZSM3P6rx93O4GvA1cdhseHhJnu_6GTEo2se-OeUI7PfyO1bqxy0PGcsZhE0RfqoMJgGoWNOOU/s1600/2012-07-09+10.24.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Utt5pRlIR9LU1oSv0Oxe7OX-Tm6PMhMydZ3kloWXpM3NaCSMpLDuvUEIqlZSIw4pa-ZSM3P6rx93O4GvA1cdhseHhJnu_6GTEo2se-OeUI7PfyO1bqxy0PGcsZhE0RfqoMJgGoWNOOU/s200/2012-07-09+10.24.24.jpg" width="150" /></a>We chose Winslow over our own home town for two reasons. The first is that my town is big and sprawling and Winslow is a small village type town with one high street that the torch would be going through. Second, Matt goes to school near there.<br /><br />There was a convoy of buses and drummers and I am not afraid to admit I got a bit teary eyed with pride. The actual torch itself that this runner was carrying was very pretty and the flame was a very moving thing to see.<br /><br />I have read other people were underwhelmed by seeing the flame. Maybe I was emotional  because I was stood with Matthew and just across the road was the rest of his school - all of whom have special needs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD-nJ4RhRDuPu6WmRtJB_iE4yXCG4K7Gq55-t_iqnch9EZjN57bHQ-rw-D5_g9YLs6tR8C6zkDrq_g0AVVR8irLNW8ewNybTS3tVwRJFNMCG3r5w86MZnCUiayJtV9NIF69lWFzmR-OA/s1600/olympic-torch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD-nJ4RhRDuPu6WmRtJB_iE4yXCG4K7Gq55-t_iqnch9EZjN57bHQ-rw-D5_g9YLs6tR8C6zkDrq_g0AVVR8irLNW8ewNybTS3tVwRJFNMCG3r5w86MZnCUiayJtV9NIF69lWFzmR-OA/s320/olympic-torch1.jpg" width="320" /></a>They had all made flags and torches and one boy actually grabbed his school-made torch and ran a short length of the closed off high street. The cheers were deafening, as was the happy laughter, which was cool. People in Winslow know about Matt's school and welcome the kids with open arms. They are incredibly patient and share in the school's successes.<br /><br /><br />The procession itself could have been more. More music, maybe the national anthem, some dancing... still, getting what there was of it through towns and villages must have been a logistical nightmare.<br /><br />Want to know about the history around my area - see my article on the Olympic Torch journey - <a href="http://wecarrythetorch.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/day-52-luton-to-oxford-great-train-robberies-the-enigma-machine-and-highwaymen/" style="background-color: white;">Day 52 Great Train Robberies, The Enigma Machine, and Highwaymen/</a><br />

Olympic Torch Visit

Just been to Winslow in Buckinghamshire to see the local leg of the Olympic Torch Relay... bough the £2 flag and stood with my wonderful fam...

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The Olympic torch journey, Buckinghamshire

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6IpeQCuJruELvCrgpRF5JyFAUuMvvxrEQ73bubka50T2gmzuwne8mtMivL_65qQeAvslUCKv8gnns7cAyCVKA64b2XJcIkhLqtCI9KEEnpmNWBuZtV3zVec-CG99PH-59Zv4Apsm49o/s1600/800px-Bletchley_Park_-_Draco2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6IpeQCuJruELvCrgpRF5JyFAUuMvvxrEQ73bubka50T2gmzuwne8mtMivL_65qQeAvslUCKv8gnns7cAyCVKA64b2XJcIkhLqtCI9KEEnpmNWBuZtV3zVec-CG99PH-59Zv4Apsm49o/s320/800px-Bletchley_Park_-_Draco2008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bletchley Park</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Long before England existed, this area was at the bottom of a primeval sea.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Milton Keynes</b></span><br /><br />Watling Street - major roman road - Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad portum Dubris" - from London to the port of Dover. Its route is now covered by the A2 road from Dover to London, and the A5 road from London to Wroxeter.The name derives from the Old English Wæcelinga Stræt. Originally the word "street" simply meant a paved road (Latin: "via strata"), and did not have the modern association with populated areas.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBjcOgV8RJL6E0ytd7TXsmBPmwM00gx0jF4MtL8St-w3wSw11m9sgjtj4ZM5bCP2onyuKoT0jmtUPDcN9_NghopWPAtz0v9jd-hk3mHsv59daB7lyNQ8uTbBZKM9th_YKZS3vUiicZrI/s1600/2012-07-06+11.18.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBjcOgV8RJL6E0ytd7TXsmBPmwM00gx0jF4MtL8St-w3wSw11m9sgjtj4ZM5bCP2onyuKoT0jmtUPDcN9_NghopWPAtz0v9jd-hk3mHsv59daB7lyNQ8uTbBZKM9th_YKZS3vUiicZrI/s200/2012-07-06+11.18.10.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Map of the Torch</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Bletchley</b></span><br /><br />During the Second World War, Bletchley Park was the site of the United Kingdom's main decryption establishment, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), where ciphers and codes of several Axis countries were decrypted, most importantly the ciphers generated by the German Enigma and Lorenz machines. It also housed Station X, a secret radio intercept station. Although interception was soon moved to a location with better reception, the name persisted for the Bletchley Park wartime activities.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qyzlr0OLjZQUFzVWJW0Oot_ywMRflYaBDvTRDkq96d0SmWvEsPdgB97n1KYP1vzBsrPutC5SXLM5crOEAFY6amLpoBThBc8qpGg0Xadpvsya-oi_BFOMVgvh4Ok8G-wiqOqcTWJS47k/s1600/200px-Alan_Turing_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qyzlr0OLjZQUFzVWJW0Oot_ywMRflYaBDvTRDkq96d0SmWvEsPdgB97n1KYP1vzBsrPutC5SXLM5crOEAFY6amLpoBThBc8qpGg0Xadpvsya-oi_BFOMVgvh4Ok8G-wiqOqcTWJS47k/s200/200px-Alan_Turing_photo.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Alan Turing</b></td></tr></tbody></table>During World War II, Alan Turing worked for the Government Code and Cypher School (GCCS) at Bletchley Park, Britain's codebreaking centre. For a time he was head of Hut 8, the section responsible for German naval cryptanalysis. He devised a number of techniques for breaking German ciphers, including the method of the bombe, an electromechanical machine that could find settings for the Enigma machine.<br /><br />Turing's homosexuality resulted in a criminal prosecution in 1952, when homosexual acts were still illegal in the United Kingdom. He accepted treatment with female hormones (chemical castration) as an alternative to prison. Turing died in 1954, just over two weeks before his 42nd birthday, from cyanide poisoning. An inquest determined that his death was suicide; his mother and some others believed his death was accidental. On 10 September 2009, following an Internet campaign, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made an official public apology on behalf of the British government for "the appalling way he was treated".<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt4IptVkkk_eZeWAy5MlAAKOvD39MB0gVYU-cYrpXZAdGU_7ekKxUcdvp2lzTNVtQnb7l7OU27ushL9uhR7FPNEO0yVY-pj-EUDyRjwSQ8eb_b9WWTsacJzWSifdjXetfBs5gWytEFY4/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt4IptVkkk_eZeWAy5MlAAKOvD39MB0gVYU-cYrpXZAdGU_7ekKxUcdvp2lzTNVtQnb7l7OU27ushL9uhR7FPNEO0yVY-pj-EUDyRjwSQ8eb_b9WWTsacJzWSifdjXetfBs5gWytEFY4/s200/Capture.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Stowe Gardens</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Buckingham</b><br /><br />Buckingham is the first settlement referred to in the Buckinghamshire section of the Domesday Book of 1086. Close by is Stowe School, a private school - the ground of which are used in a lot of films. Close to Buckingham is Claydon House. Claydon House has been in the Verney family since the late 15th century.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUDhAyQen2L-ub9PSCaCViW324CeMlAnxwWiU1ZhhsD4B-gV0QkPT3PsHnDeVgOomcrDQSVMsK1hsQpm12snwb1lQyCLyD34X-hCbF5oxnP4olHGuHgB0cV9emtwZcvy-GTDNLwVt7uQ/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUDhAyQen2L-ub9PSCaCViW324CeMlAnxwWiU1ZhhsD4B-gV0QkPT3PsHnDeVgOomcrDQSVMsK1hsQpm12snwb1lQyCLyD34X-hCbF5oxnP4olHGuHgB0cV9emtwZcvy-GTDNLwVt7uQ/s200/Capture.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Claydon House</b></td></tr></tbody></table>During the Civil War the family had divided loyalties, with sons on opposing sides, although Sir Edmund served as Standard Bearer to King Charles I and lost his life at the Battle of Edgehill.<br /><br />In the 19th century Sir Harry Verney married Frances Parthenope Nightingale, sister of Florence. Sir Harry was devoted to Florence, and she enjoyed spending her summers here. Her bedroom, many of her letters, and other mementoes can be seen today.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Whitchurch</b></span><br /><br />Bolbec castle was burned down by parliamentary forces during the English Civil War, the mound still remains as does the spring, called Fair Alice, which was the fresh water supply for the castle.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ek7no1wqFqljwrhgR-oYFxj8ow4H81SfTLqbk0Njx23sApKjjjlI5_IdguezdlImDtarcRdydMLa9bcHjglJc3pF3ruqae_q7S1l-fYNNl1tjR9OzCuSuFWCexHEIR0Eb1ErBCQrQDQ/s1600/Aylesbury_Market_Square_Bucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ek7no1wqFqljwrhgR-oYFxj8ow4H81SfTLqbk0Njx23sApKjjjlI5_IdguezdlImDtarcRdydMLa9bcHjglJc3pF3ruqae_q7S1l-fYNNl1tjR9OzCuSuFWCexHEIR0Eb1ErBCQrQDQ/s200/Aylesbury_Market_Square_Bucks.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aylesbury</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Aylesbury</b><br /><br />Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England.<br /><br />In 1450 a religious institution called the Guild of St Mary was founded in Aylesbury by John Kemp, Archbishop of York. Known popularly as the Guild of Our Lady it became a meeting place for local dignitaries and a hotbed of political intrigue. The Guild was influential in the final outcome of the Wars of the Roses. Its premises at the Chantry in Church Street, Aylesbury, are still there, though today the site is occupied mainly by almshouses.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPhWH5hP-8eZ1KTAa3GAD83LvU50Dofnxu9w-mtajvOxhP2kokseWMcer1RiPnReLmwt2IDkw6Y219sgYzygIHhHRz9fOXt8J8tMeaWmCgU3Vl2RaY85sPX6RooCYV5veQ8HaYxdgotU/s1600/Site+of+Great+Train+Robbery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPhWH5hP-8eZ1KTAa3GAD83LvU50Dofnxu9w-mtajvOxhP2kokseWMcer1RiPnReLmwt2IDkw6Y219sgYzygIHhHRz9fOXt8J8tMeaWmCgU3Vl2RaY85sPX6RooCYV5veQ8HaYxdgotU/s200/Site+of+Great+Train+Robbery.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site of The Great Train Robbery</td></tr></tbody></table>Aylesbury was declared the county town of Buckinghamshire in 1529 by King Henry VIII: Aylesbury Manor was among the many properties belonging to Thomas Boleyn the father of Anne Boleyn and it is rumoured that the change was made by the king in order to curry favour with the holders of the manor. (Previously the county town of Buckinghamshire was Buckingham).<br /><br />The town played a large part in the English Civil War when it became a stronghold for the Parliamentarian forces, like many market towns a nursing-ground of Puritan sentiment and in 1642 the Battle of Aylesbury was fought and won by the Parliamentarians.<br /><br />The Jacobean mansion of Hartwell nearby was the residence of Louis XVIII during his exile (1810–1814). Bourbon Street in Aylesbury is named after the king. Louis's wife, Marie Josephine of Savoy died at Hartwell in 1810 and is buried in the churchyard there. She is the only French Queen to be buried on English soil.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp3zEnjoqnx_UElQV3wtdaoMu5o1MfQX-yYs6a-jNeIQ-lYDsgDdJhjkrdy-WMaq8oDQ7Obclzuhll_MYsq464cJ8mzMhyphenhyphenwxoZDfRZfGfhAa-XDhALolnK0zxyRDobDWiVBOzI55TB_w/s1600/Roald_Dahl%2527s_gipsy_caravan_-_geograph.org.uk_-_112566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp3zEnjoqnx_UElQV3wtdaoMu5o1MfQX-yYs6a-jNeIQ-lYDsgDdJhjkrdy-WMaq8oDQ7Obclzuhll_MYsq464cJ8mzMhyphenhyphenwxoZDfRZfGfhAa-XDhALolnK0zxyRDobDWiVBOzI55TB_w/s200/Roald_Dahl%2527s_gipsy_caravan_-_geograph.org.uk_-_112566.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caravan where Roald Dahl wrote, <br />Danny, Champion of the World</td></tr></tbody></table>The town also received international publicity in the 1960s when the culprits responsible for the Great Train Robbery were tried at Aylesbury Crown Court. The robbery took place at Bridego Bridge, a railway bridge at Ledburn, about six miles (10 km) from the town. The 7 July 2005 Piccadilly Line bomber Germaine Lindsay's home was in Aylesbury at the time of the bombings, though he was originally from Jamaica.<br /><br />Roald Dahl lived in Great Missenden, just outside Aylesbury.<br /><br /><b>Stoke Mandeville</b><br /><br />The IWAS World Games, formerly known as the World Wheelchair and Amputee Games, the Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Games, the Stoke Mandeville Games, and the World Wheelchair Games (in the 60s and 70s often referred to as the Wheelchair Olympics), are a multi-sport competition for athletes with a disability.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGobs8L0S97WPOrl9MbOlAKcXCxkYwmDltusCMgSuPC4oQgMe4OU-Fnc5ZNjISwZ7VvnnB3ziEaC-Y5-U7cUspvnxWhnu56CX53A9q-_ScmhnMJhVHv5CEvUF3ddH2EjZT3eutNSiKmgA/s1600/PG4-basketball-history.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGobs8L0S97WPOrl9MbOlAKcXCxkYwmDltusCMgSuPC4oQgMe4OU-Fnc5ZNjISwZ7VvnnB3ziEaC-Y5-U7cUspvnxWhnu56CX53A9q-_ScmhnMJhVHv5CEvUF3ddH2EjZT3eutNSiKmgA/s200/PG4-basketball-history.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheelchair Games</td></tr></tbody></table>The Games were originally held in 1948 by neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann, who organized a sporting competition involving World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital rehabilitation facility in Stoke Mandeville, England, taking place concurrently with the first post-war Summer Olympics in London. In 1952, the Netherlands joined in the event, creating the first international sports competition for the disabled. In 1960, the Ninth Stoke Mandeville Games were held in Rome, Italy, following that year's Olympic Games. These are considered to be the first Paralympic Games.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Waddesdon</b></span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TDH37hC8mZ7TZ1-nSDpn563wok1lgygGmOY7lEEAUhh4f1FZ2R3hy_6IeyMYMKDp82S53PFW0sUAkmF4arwd5IQi8h2h2uGYwoJnp5170_zyT9ci5PweYRt0hvYp7-KilFIGAcELeLs/s1600/Waddesdon_Manor02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TDH37hC8mZ7TZ1-nSDpn563wok1lgygGmOY7lEEAUhh4f1FZ2R3hy_6IeyMYMKDp82S53PFW0sUAkmF4arwd5IQi8h2h2uGYwoJnp5170_zyT9ci5PweYRt0hvYp7-KilFIGAcELeLs/s200/Waddesdon_Manor02.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waddesdon Manor</td></tr></tbody></table>In 1874, Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild bought a large estate in the area and built the mansion of Waddesdon Manor on a hill-top above the village. He transformed Waddesdon into an estate village, with new houses for employees and tenants, a school, a public house, cricket pavilion and village hall.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Waddesdon was often referred to as Black Waddesdon and was notorious for being one of the most dangerous stops on what is now the A41. Highwaymen were rife and the chances of being held up at gun point were significant.</span><br /><br />

The Olympic torch journey, Buckinghamshire

Bletchley Park Long before England existed, this area was at the bottom of a primeval sea. Milton Keynes Watling Street - major roman road -...

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One Night Reviews and Excerpt

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhwNH37FtqQwKlAVHlcwzKAwjECGfAu8UqaLjONAgQY7B49PdU5L3cB2xjMmVZBz5AkJVg6-Edfyj6pRByjYvseB1vqZ-X8dl5l5tHs9c-bWFddh5w9ldiprFCnbPL8BBdi3WhPqcOA/s1600/One_Night-RJ_Scott400x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhwNH37FtqQwKlAVHlcwzKAwjECGfAu8UqaLjONAgQY7B49PdU5L3cB2xjMmVZBz5AkJVg6-Edfyj6pRByjYvseB1vqZ-X8dl5l5tHs9c-bWFddh5w9ldiprFCnbPL8BBdi3WhPqcOA/s320/One_Night-RJ_Scott400x600.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><i>One night and everything can change, for Liam and Micah.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/glbt-contemporary-c-53_54/products_id/333/" target="_blank">Buy at Silver</a> :: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Night-ebook/dp/B005BYP7IK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1340485275&sr=8-2&keywords=One+Night+Rj" target="_blank">Buy at Amazon</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Liam Wade is facing the biggest change in his life since marrying his best friend, Janelle, and adopting her daughter. Janelle has long since passed on, losing the battle to live a few days after her daughter is born, leaving Liam a father, in need of finding a mother for his daughter Emma. He's rich, successful, and Leigh is the perfect, approved, wife for him. Before he settles down to give his daughter the best family he can, he wants one week away to think. Just to make sure that he can leave half of himself hidden and marry without love, because Liam has one big problem in all of this -- he's gay.<br /><br />Micah Adamson is the owner of a vineyard in Rochester NY, and has yet to find the partner he knows is out there for him. He believes in love and wants forever, and one day he knows he will find his 'forever' man. He attends a wine festival in Santa Monica, seven nights in a beautiful hotel on the beach.<br /><br />Liam is looking for a last fling with 'no holds barred' easy sex, booking into a random hotel well away from his overbearing family. Micah wants to show Liam affection and understanding and make him see that that love between two men can be forever.<br /><br /><div>One night and everything can change, for both of them.</div><div><a name="more"></a></div><div>*****</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Reviews for One Night</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><a href="http://www.blackravensreviews.com/?p=7423" target="_blank">Black Raven's Reviews</a> One Night is not a typical romance. RJ Scott takes her readers on Liam’s life-altering journey as he becomes comfortable with his sexuality. It is a powerful lesson in living life on one’s own terms no matter what the family’s expectations might be. And yes in the end, this novel is a love story as Micah and Liam explore the possibilities of the future their One Night has opened for them.<br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/1367942.html" target="_blank">Elisa Rolle</a> There is a trend in romance for novels that make you dream; sure you are of the working class, you will never have the change to spend time in the hotels you read about in these stories, but nevertheless, you don’t want to read about how difficult is to pay the next bill, or the difficulties you will face if you fall in love for someone who lives on the other side of the country… you want to read of Micah and Liam’s trouble, trouble that will be solved in an heartbeat, as soon as Liam will find the courage to finally be the man he wants to be. Micah and Liam will not be touched by the ugliness of the world, and the happily every after will be there, waiting for them.<br /><div><br /></div><div>******</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Excerpt</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>"Oh yeah, I meant to tell you, I sorted your flights to LA."<br /><br />Jeez, that had been one hell of a change of subject and way out of left field. One minute Micah was discussing buying more land for the vineyard, and the next, his sister hit him with flights from Rochester.<br /><br />"I didn't say I was definitely going," Micah responded quickly. Damn it, every year Abbey brought this up in front of witnesses. He never had a chance to argue back. Alex, his brother-in-law, looked up at him from the piles of papers on the desk with an expression of sympathy, but didn't join in to defend or to encourage. He clearly knew to stay out of things when his wife was set on something.<br /><br />"You say that," Abbey pressed, "but when push comes to shove, you always end up getting on the flight, and then you have fun."<br /><br />"But I thought with Rosie having the baby and all... Doesn't that put a different spin on it?" The words tumbled out of him in a rush of defense. He really thought this year, with his other sister just having gifted the family with a new baby girl, and thus unable to work, he could get away with not going anywhere. There was so much to do here, grapes to grade, the new pages on the website to change...<br /><br />"Seven nights is all. You need to get away, meet up with your friends and take the vacation, network with the winey-type people."<br /><br />"You won't be able--" he started to protest, but Abbey held up her hand to stop him.<br /><br />"We'll be fine. It's all taken care of. We've discussed this already. Alex is taking a break and will be here every day working with Zach." She indicated her husband. Alex was still very quiet but lifted his hand and waved it in agreement.<br /><br />"We'll talk about this later." Micah huffed. Surely, even though she said she had sorted the flights, she couldn't have booked everything yet? She seemed to read his mind. Damn sibling connection.<br /><br />"Flights are booked--ROC to LAX, with only one stopover. I booked you into the hotel where they are holding the conference. It's right on the beach, and I got your room upgraded. It's got a hot tub and shower with all kinds of fancy settings. Just what you need."<br /><br />"But--"<br /><br />"All you need to find is a hot man when you're there and you'll be all set."<br /><br />"Abbey--"<br /><br />"I'm not discussing this with you."<br /><br />"I'm a grown man. Alex, tell her." Micah pleaded for support, but if anything Alex slumped lower in his chair.<br /><br />"Yes you are. A grown man who needs a damn vacation," his sister said firmly.<br /><br />Later as the evening was rolling in and smudging the sky with a purple-gray, Micah stood at the fence, looking out over his grapes, feeling blindsided and completely out-maneuvered. He sensed Alex walk up and stand next to him. Alex would have known what Abbey and Rosie were planning and even though Alex and Micah had been friends since grade school, he couldn't be angry with the guy. His sisters were very persuasive.<br /><br />The two men stood in companionable silence for a while until Alex cleared his throat. Micah could sense the other man grinning from where he stood. Micah's week away was a standing joke and almost word for word he could guess exactly what his best friend was going to start in on. He wasn't wrong.<br /><br />"So your gay ass is going to the beach for your annual tail-chasing trip." Same old, same old, every year.<br /><br />Micah huffed. "If you weren't married to my sister, I would take you down right now." There wasn't really a lot of heat in Micah's tone; he was waiting for the rest of the same old joke Alex made every damn year.<br /><br />"Did you put lube and condoms on the house grocery list?"<br /><br />"Fuck off, Alex."<br /><br />"It's okay, buddy. Leave it to me and I'll get Abbey to add them."<br /><div><br /></div><div>*****</div>

One Night Reviews and Excerpt

One night and everything can change, for Liam and Micah. Buy at Silver :: Buy at Amazon Liam Wade is facing the biggest change in his life ...

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Movie Review - Latter Days - 5/5

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOE0MZ7hOAy0CUNCLy9YVl-3bHNZc-ADK3XdO2J_1y8KrmfNwjDS4j1JiRRPd3dDogkA4BZboCFXSpsN8iBBC3YwO_0C01fIdN82o2sOaDDG14TnnAD90l1Mq9sJS5mFX2QAld3AoohA/s1600/LatterDays-large.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOE0MZ7hOAy0CUNCLy9YVl-3bHNZc-ADK3XdO2J_1y8KrmfNwjDS4j1JiRRPd3dDogkA4BZboCFXSpsN8iBBC3YwO_0C01fIdN82o2sOaDDG14TnnAD90l1Mq9sJS5mFX2QAld3AoohA/s400/LatterDays-large.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />"...when I first came to Los Angeles, it looked like just this mass of dots... all jumbled and disconnected..."<br /><br /><b>Blurb</b><br /><div><br /></div><div>Christian (Wes Ramsey), a hunky, 20-something, West Hollywood party boy gets more than he bargains for when he tries to seduce 19-year-old Elder Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss), a sexually confused Mormon missionary who moves into his apartment complex. <br /><br />When Christian exposes Davis' secret sexual desire, Davis' rejects Christian for being shallow and empty, The encounter shatters each boy's reality and draws the two into a passionate romance that risks destroying their lives. </div><div><br /></div><div>Latter Days is a charming, sexy, and moving tale that will leave you believing in the transformational power of love. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0345551/">IMDB</a> :: <a href="http://www.latterdaysmovie.com/index.cfm">Website</a><br /><br /><a name="more"></a>* * * * *</div><div><br /><b>Review<br /><br />5/5 and a recommended watch for anyone that reads my books (romance/angst/HEA)</b><br />I loved this movie. The acting was brilliant. The characterisation spot on. There was nothing wasted in the film, every piece of it was part of a wonderful story... <br /><br />Every part was moving, from the disturbing imagery of the orientation reversal scene to the beautifully orchestrated sex scene. The most touching scene was the two main hugs and the kiss... I want to say more... but I wont.<br /><br />In my honest opinion this is not a mormon bashing film, nor does it focus solely on religion vs homosexuality.<br /><br />Instead it captures the struggle of self against family, faith and finding what is under the skin and what drives you as a human.<br /><br /><b>Just gorgeous </b></div>

Movie Review - Latter Days - 5/5

"...when I first came to Los Angeles, it looked like just this mass of dots... all jumbled and disconnected..." Blurb Christian (W...

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Author Interview: Nick J Markus

<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXll3tdQ6rowwMEQPVeTNw15hFzrt_VqqkWS4pRdfFG7pAmeSqimha4fpPaCPcl76Ye_wd_AP0BhziAbvPu5PVb2z7onhPKcYn5Ts5pUHf3e1t468RyuP4ObZc5O_-zMLEl_PkqgoySw/s320/TimeKeepers400x600+%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b>What are the major themes of your work. What genre do you write in?</b></span><br /><br />Well, I tend to write in the paranormal genre; although, I'm thinking of going to historical paranormal in some future works. I love the fact that this genre gives me the freedom to tell stories based in reality yet with fantasy elements. I have a strong basis for my world-building and yet I can also do mad things at the same time and really follow my imagination. I wouldn't say I follow particular themes with my work, but I notice I do usually have a 'bad' character in need of redemption somewhere in my stories, even if only in a supporting role. So I guess that's a recurring theme for me. Plus I love a good supernatural romance! ;)<br /><br /><b>What genre of books do you like to read? Do you limit yourself to only the genre that you write yourself? </b><br /><b><br /></b><br />I actually have pretty eclectic tastes when it comes to reading and I can move from paranormal to classics, to non-fiction, to literary fiction and back again. I love to read most genres, except I'm not keen in True Crime or Chick Lit, and I try to keep a good mix on my shelf. I think reading a wide variety of books helps me as a writer since, as well as learning from many great writers, it keeps my own ideas fresh if I'm not reading solely in my own genre.<br /><br /><div><b>In your opinion, what are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer? </b><br /><b><br /></b><br />Having an understanding family for sure. My husband is pretty good when I disappear with 'work to do'. I work full-time as well and I think finding that work-life balance is vital. I'd love to have more time to write, but I try to be realistic and set myself goals that are achievable. A steady supply of chocolate is also a huge help!<br /><br /><b></b><br /><a name="more"></a><b>How much research do you put into your writing? </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx6qIdVpjHYaA61wXnh7j0QlX3Xrjnp6trthn0mMYRoCkzQ_b7RLH7KNrgowN6UjxCxco4jJtl441dGd7wLH4EiWcsuUvCP_fIO_ObzvVHorcAOyLDCs6LR_94Im_Lk98YpTG9d3m9N4/s1600/Nicki_J_Markus_2010_Writer_Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx6qIdVpjHYaA61wXnh7j0QlX3Xrjnp6trthn0mMYRoCkzQ_b7RLH7KNrgowN6UjxCxco4jJtl441dGd7wLH4EiWcsuUvCP_fIO_ObzvVHorcAOyLDCs6LR_94Im_Lk98YpTG9d3m9N4/s320/Nicki_J_Markus_2010_Writer_Photo.jpg" width="222" /></a>Time Keepers was set in the near future and really didn't require much research. My previous release, Day-Walker, did have a flashback to Revolutionary France, but that is a time period I'm fond of and know a great deal about to begin with. That said, I would like to develop a more historical slant in some of my future work and then I will be hitting the books as I'd want my portrayals of times and places to be accurate.<br /><br /><b>If you could collaborate with another author who would it be?</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. I'd love to write historical paranormal romance with her as I really think she is Queen of the genre. She's definitely a writer I'd aspire to be like. If you don't know her work, get out there and grab one of the books in her Saint Germain vampire series - they are amazing.<br /><br /><b>How do you feel about being interviewed? </b><br /><b><br /></b><br />Ha. Well actually I don't mind at all. As well as being a writer, I am also a keen singer and musician. I'm used to getting on stage in front of people, so a little interview shouldn't cause me too much dread. It's always an honour to be invited for interviews and to have the chance to meet new people and share my stories with them, so thanks for having me, RJ.</div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Excerpt</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>In the not so distant future, Supernaturals have announced their presence to the world. But now a secret government agency is rounding them up, hoping to use them for its own purposes.</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>With Supernaturals going missing every day, Nick has been careful to guard his own secret, never giving anyone reason to notice him. That is until Ellie comes careering into his train carriage.</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Instantly drawn to her, he tries to help. But soon both their secrets are revealed and they find themselves on the run in a desperate bid to escape from the mysterious Time Keepers, whose net is closing in around them.</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>*****</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i style="background-color: white;">Say No<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> To Fur!!</span></span></i></div><br />The poster caught his eye as he stood on the muggy, station platform waiting for the southbound Jubilee Line tube. </div><div><br />Nick frowned, tilting his head slightly and staring at it. The hologram of a wolf's head hovered in the centre, the trademark tinges of reds and greens, which even modern technology could not erase completely from the image, were just visible behind its charcoal grey fur. It rippled there in seeming innocence, a benign look in its yellow eyes as it watched the passers-by.<br /><br />In some ways it seemed inconspicuous, lost as it was amidst the neon graffiti tags that covered every free inch of wall space, and yet it drew the eye somehow, creating a sense of disquiet that made everyone give it a wide berth as they walked past. <br /><br />Then a woman stepped a little too close. <br /><br />The wolf's head leapt out from the poster, eyes bloodshot and jaws open wide, revealing glistening pointed teeth that dripped with saliva and snapped viciously at her. The woman shrieked and jumped back in fright, dropping her handbag as the wolf retreated, reverting once more to its former pose. <br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Nick bent down and retrieved the worn leather bag, holding it out to her. He could hear the heavy pounding of her heart within her chest, and he waited patiently while she took a moment to compose herself. Finally her watery grey eyes focused on him, and she reached out a gnarled and wrinkled hand to reclaim her possessions. </span></div><div><br />"Thank you, young man." She carefully eased the handles of the bag back over her emaciated arm, the additional weight making her hunch her shoulders as she supported one arm with the other. "It shouldn't be allowed." <br /><br />"No, the tube station really isn't the place for posters like that," he agreed with her readily, casting a wary glance at the wall where the wolf still hovered, looking peaceable once more. <br /><br />"No, not the poster, young man; I mean these Werewolves—and the Vampires too. As if there isn't already enough wrong in the world without such evil creatures roaming around free. The sooner the Government stamps them out the better." The woman turned away and waddled off farther down the platform.</div><div><br /></div><div>*****</div><div><a href="https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/products_id/925/?zenid=b724e60f3daaf50392655160e23a5693" target="_blank">Pre-order<i> </i>'Time Keepers' here» </a></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.nickijmarkus.com/" target="_blank">Website </a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4567057.Nicki_J_Markus" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/NickiJMarkus" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://spsilverpublishing.com/index/book_authors_id/129/typefilter/book_authors/?zenid=b724e60f3daaf50392655160e23a5693" target="_blank">Silver Publishing Author Page</a>

Author Interview: Nick J Markus

What are the major themes of your work. What genre do you write in? Well, I tend to write in the paranormal genre; although, I'm thinkin...

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Competition Winner

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAlFaLmJPVfDCdRdTAVpN2Ugy6ZUc8sFCU7meKCha9EIgwDiaQDamCxRs1LlXuxajz3aprMb9mk8nRua9PAYEXSOkI9ogECPAcXt4WOcbA0oak6UCMQ_RKA_p9Z1R2i8UVUZVG51NjJI/s1600/Junjou.Romantica.full.57225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAlFaLmJPVfDCdRdTAVpN2Ugy6ZUc8sFCU7meKCha9EIgwDiaQDamCxRs1LlXuxajz3aprMb9mk8nRua9PAYEXSOkI9ogECPAcXt4WOcbA0oak6UCMQ_RKA_p9Z1R2i8UVUZVG51NjJI/s200/Junjou.Romantica.full.57225.jpg" width="142" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjkLKa9zG1GVkPlbrIECQnqpsP_DTs0DURMUAdERt7agXBkUhyphenhyphenhXxwHiTTZVbWw7QyFjYO3KuyGkNPozp2_Via1vD5zwy5A-c7Dk6YMV2PWG2TImvzO4HvEwviGZVjZXtihGcNJvzpEY/s1600/junjou21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjkLKa9zG1GVkPlbrIECQnqpsP_DTs0DURMUAdERt7agXBkUhyphenhyphenhXxwHiTTZVbWw7QyFjYO3KuyGkNPozp2_Via1vD5zwy5A-c7Dk6YMV2PWG2TImvzO4HvEwviGZVjZXtihGcNJvzpEY/s200/junjou21.jpg" width="141" /></a>Competition winner for the Manga and Romance Blog Hop is Trix...<br /><br />Please email me rj@rjscott.co.uk Trix and we can talk prizes!<br /><br />RJ XXX<br /><br />Trix - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/p/published-writing.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">my published work is all here...</a>

Competition Winner

Competition winner for the Manga and Romance Blog Hop is Trix... Please email me rj@rjscott.co.uk Trix and we can talk prizes! RJ XXX Trix -...

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MM Good Book Reviews

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYondoPv2tTsgYqojv6ejia0v-yHOghhJka9NG1dr0ZmZRJ0HkTt_OhTMmpA6q5BIaudGRFyhfulAUaTlAXfDHwuqqsL8RRNTs7asxT2ovlCTVsyzMmJdLBEn9gVK2eyhBosU8kqjOdEU/s1600/love_is_in_the_title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYondoPv2tTsgYqojv6ejia0v-yHOghhJka9NG1dr0ZmZRJ0HkTt_OhTMmpA6q5BIaudGRFyhfulAUaTlAXfDHwuqqsL8RRNTs7asxT2ovlCTVsyzMmJdLBEn9gVK2eyhBosU8kqjOdEU/s200/love_is_in_the_title.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b>Love Is In the Title - 4.5/5</b><br /><div><br /></div>I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves jock/nerd love stories or just want to read a happy-go-lucky work of art. Trust me, you won’t regret it!<br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/love-is-in-the-title-by-rj-scott/">Read the rest of the review »</a><br />

MM Good Book Reviews

Love Is In the Title - 4.5/5 I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves jock/nerd love stories or just want to read a happy-go-lucky w...

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