MissElaineous
Swindon, Wiltshire

Touch Wood: An Interview with Simon Webb

Touch Wood: An Interview with Simon Webb
George Bernard Shaw is said to have written that England and America are two countries separated by a common language, and there is perhaps more than a kernel of truth in this statement. Some are obvious: in August I wrote about how American buttermilk biscuits are nothing like British biscuits. The latter tend to be more hard cookies, perfect for… View Post

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MissElaineous’ Adventures in Anime

MissElaineous’ Adventures in Anime
I have a confession to make: I am an almost 40-year-old adult who loves animated films. Not all animated films mind you (Frozen, I’m looking at you), but the ones with a cracking plot, great characters, and a positive message are some of the best cinematic storytelling experiences available today. Pixar’s Toy Story series and fantastic Inside Out immediately spring to mind, as do… View Post

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A Series of Fortunate Events

A Series of Fortunate Events
Serendipity. It’s a lovely word that just seems to roll off the tongue. I was first introduced to it as a child through a series of delightful books: Serendipity was the name of a pink dragon who went on to star as both the logo and the name of the publishing company. More people probably think of the 2001 rom-com… View Post

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LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD
Many, many years ago when I was a budding archaeology student, I also took courses in anthropology. Some were practical, such as bioanthropology. This explored hominid evolution from Homo habilis to Homo sapiens through their skeletal remains. Other classes were more theoretical, examining the invisible behavioural frameworks that compose different cultures. I have to admit that I am not a big fan… View Post
Longleat, Wiltshire

MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND LONGLEAT

MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND LONGLEAT
St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “Give me the child for the first seven years and I will give you the man.” Career coaches use the question “What were your three favourite activities as a child?” to help people focus on finding a job that sparks the same joy as a child at play. The impact of these formative years before… View Post

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Glastonbury

THE THREE Ms OF GLASTONBURY

THE THREE Ms OF GLASTONBURY
Outside of the UK, the word “Glastonbury” is synonymous with music and mud. Within the UK, the definition is pretty similar, with the annual(ish) music festival regularly dominating headlines. Tickets for the 50th anniversary in 2020 recently sold out in under forty minutes, and even I took the time to brainstorm how litter could be reduced at future festivals after… View Post

TEA TIME

TEA TIME
Okay, I admit it: I don’t write about tea nearly enough. Travel, yes, definitely. Nature and history, yep, they’re here. But tea? I can’t remember when I last wrote about it, other than to share the occasional photo of a cuppa over on Instagram. I’ve included it up there in my tagline because it seemed to go with that whole… View Post
Bath, England

THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER

THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER
I consider Bath a city I know well: my PhD research focused on the Roman Baths; when MrElaineous was just known as Jon, we went on countless dates to the local cinema and Theatre Royal; our first year(ish) of marriage was spent living near Sydney Gardens. So I tend not to play the tourist when visiting, typically going from A to… View Post

WEIRD. WONDERFUL. WALES.

WEIRD. WONDERFUL. WALES.
Great Britain is composed of three nations: England, Wales, and Scotland. The United Kingdom adds Northern Ireland to the mix, and hence the official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The point of mentioning this terminology is that both Scotland and Northern Ireland are parts of the UK that are some distance… View Post

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Sheffield

SHEFFIELD: A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP

SHEFFIELD: A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP
People often talk about love at first sight, whether it’s meeting that special someone to spend your life with or buying a house. But what about the opposite? Because that was my reaction to Sheffield when I first encountered this northern city almost fifteen years ago. I was on a flying visit to find a place to situate one of… View Post

THE SWEET TASTE OF TRAVEL

THE SWEET TASTE OF TRAVEL
Gallons of ink, both real and virtual, have been spilled extolling the virtues of travel, with quite a few pints by yours truly. Whether described as expanding one’s horizons, sampling new experiences and cultures, or simply part of shaking up a daily routine, it can’t be denied that going to new places can introduce you to things you never imagined… View Post

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DEAR MEGHAN: CONGRATULATIONS!

DEAR MEGHAN: CONGRATULATIONS!
Dear Meghan, Congratulations on the arrival of little Seven! I’m sure you, Harry, and the entire Royal Family must be overjoyed. I certainly hope you’re all doing well and gearing up for one of life’s greatest adventures: navigating parenthood in a different country than the one you grew up in. Parenthood itself may be a universal experience, but as an… View Post

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Cotswold Water Park

OF LIONS, LAMBS, AND A WALK ALONG THE BOW WOW

OF LIONS, LAMBS, AND A WALK ALONG THE BOW WOW
In like a lion, out like a lamb. This familiar quip about the month of March actually seems quite logical. After all, the beginning is still winter, with the spring equinox arriving at the tail end of the month. Which is, I admit, no guarantee of good weather, but this year it proved to be more accurate than anticipated. Early… View Post

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Chippenham, Wiltshire

BLOSSOMS AND BLUE SKIES: A CHIPPENHAM MINI-ADVENTURE

BLOSSOMS AND BLUE SKIES: A CHIPPENHAM MINI-ADVENTURE
It’s a common joke, and one I’ve made before myself, that one of the best things about Chippenham is how easy it is to get to other places. From having the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds on its doorstep to train links to London, Chippenham tends to be viewed as a place you live, not visit. However, a recent morning… View Post

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A Light in the Darkness

A Light in the Darkness
I never gave much thought to winter before moving to the UK. After all, I grew up in Florida and if there’s one thing it’s known for besides Disney World, it’s sunshine, palm trees, and a tropical climate. Okay, that’s three things but you get the idea. Temperatures in Florida range from warm to scorching, with a side helping of… View Post

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Reaching New Heights in Edinburgh

Reaching New Heights in Edinburgh
[ PART 1 ] [ PART 2 ] [ This is a continuation of last week’s post about my explorations of Edinburgh on a sunny autumn day. Check out the first part or keep reading to see whether I managed to face my fears and get a new perspective on the capital city. ] As I finished my circuit of Princes Street Gardens,… View Post

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More Thought, Less Waste

More Thought, Less Waste
[ In addition to writing the MissElaineous Blog, I also tackle the problem of litter and waste over on Off the Ground.  I’ve written an environmental gift guide over the past few years, and this year I’m continuing the tradition with a greatly expanded look at eco (or at least eco-ish) presents. The topic of waste reduction is one I care… View Post

She seeks seashells (and fossils) by the seashore

She seeks seashells (and fossils) by the seashore
Fishpond Bottom. Thornfalcon. Monkton Wyld. Cricket Malherbie. Beercrocombe. Curry Mallet. Cheddon Fitzpaine. Queen Camel. MrElaineous and I were heading south, and as I followed our route across the map I couldn’t help but wonder about the subconscious impact of cartography on a nation’s mindset. After all, this is a country that has given the world both Monty Python and Middle… View Post

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Bound for Beer (Part 4)

Bound for Beer (Part 4)
[ PART 1 ][ PART 2 ][ PART 3 ][ PART 4 ][ POSTCARDS ] My final morning in Beer dawned as one of those late spring/early summer days that seemed absolutely perfect, the type you wish would go on forever. The mist of the past few days had completely vanished, leaving blue skies in its wake, and the colours along… View Post

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MissElaineous Travel Blog: Escape, Explore, Discover, Enjoy