Benjamin Franklin House, London

On my way to last Friday's Proms concert, I came across a little pavement sign for Benjamin Franklin House near Charing Cross Station, London. 

As someone with a mild interest in history and science it was screaming for me to come in and have a look around. So the next day I went for a visit. It was £8 to get in and I bought a little leaflet cum guide for £2. 

The museum was an early eighteenth century house which was home to American founding father, scientist and philosopher Benjamin Franklin between 1757 to 1775 with a short break in between. 

There weren't many artefacts on display, instead the rooms provided ample text explanations about his life and what shaped his beliefs.

The ticket office doubles as a gift shop but you need to bring your own refreshments. The little back garden is a great place to relax and reflect. 

In praise of the BBC Proms

As mentioned in a previous post, I have been attending a BBC Proms concert every year since 2023.  This year has been no exception. Last Friday I went to Bruch's Violin Concerto of this year's Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.  It was conducted by Omer Meir Wellber who gave a very energetic, dance like performance.  It was thoroughly enjoyable. 

Despite all our technology, nothing beats a live performance along with the atmosphere of a live audience. I always try my best to follow the Proms on radio every summer since my first concert.

Steam: Great Western Railway museum,Swindon

Day before yesterday, I went to the Great Western Railway museum also known as STEAM.  Swindon has a very deep connection with the Great Western Railway and it was here that the it built its engine and carriage factory.  In fact the museum itself is housed in a former factory building. 

The exhibition itself didn't have that many train engines on show, instead it highlighted the production process of the engines and carriages, along with the daily lives of its employees. 

At one stage the factory complex employed 14,000 men and women.  The sons of the men usually followed their fathers into the company.  The workshop display, along with its smell reminded me of metalwork class at school. 

There were a few interactive exhibits including a mock signal box where you can play signalman and direct some video game trains.  Most of interactive exhibits were aimed at children. 

The highlight for me was looking up at the base of the Caerphilly Castle engine as trench built underneath to give a bougie view.

After lunch upstairs, I made my way out. It was quite enjoyable and informative but it doesn't beat the National Railway Museum in York.

Leighton buzzard railway museum

As mentioned, yesterday I went to the Leighton Buzzard railway museum, dedicated to a short miniature railway which served the local quarries. 

The adult ticket was around £14 and it includes a ride on the train. The main exhibition consists of a covered engine yard with several narrow gauge engines, both steam and diesel powered.

The museum is staffed entirely by volunteers and after a few minutes a very friendly gentleman approached us to give us a free impromptu guided tour.

He informed us on why narrow gauge is used(easier to turn corners and go up steep gradients) and the purpose the railway originally served.  It turns out sand was quarried in the area, which was used in building and in glassmaking.  The gentleman volunteer told us that the glass used in building Crystal Palace was made from Leighton Buzzard sand. 

On that day, it hosted a beer festival but we didn't partake. Then it was time for the train ride.  As expected it was a slow pleasant journey through the suburbs of Leighton Buzzard and it terminated at industrial estate on the edge of town. There were a few more engines and other rail related exhibits there. We then took the same train back. On the way out I bought a £2 booklet about the engines on display, which our volunteer guide suggested. 

It's well worth visiting for railway nerds, and much respect to all the volunteers involved. 

UK visit 2026

Yesterday I arrived in the UK for a three week visit to see family and friends, go hiking, visit railway related venues, watch a concert and do some shopping.


My flight landed early in the morning so I went to the Leighton Buzzard railway, a miniature heritage railway with a fascinating history, I shall write in detail about that later.

Bettany Hughes, “The hemlock cup”

 I’ve literally just finished reading “The hemlock cup. Socrates, Athens and the search for the good life” by Bettany Hughes.  Its a biography of the ancient philosopher, Socrates, and explores his life, the historical events that shaped him and his contemporaries and peers.  It’s a good book if you are interested in the life of the philosopher and the Athens city state but not a good book if you want to learn about his philosophy.  It is a well readable book and it should inspire the reader to dive deeper into Socrates.

Copy borrowed from Hong Kong public libraries.

Kevin Keegan 1951-2026

 Yesterday the football world lost a great icon and player, Kevin Keegan, a Liverpool, Hamburg SV, Newcastle United and England legend.  He was also a very successful manager with Newcastle, Manchester City, Fulham and to a lesser extent, England.  Unfortunately he was already past his prime when I took an interest in football although I do remember his stint at Newcastle during the 1980s.  As for England, he only played one Fifa World Cup, 1982, in which he played in one match as a second half substitute.  For him, he played during a decade which had one of the weakest England teams in history, which meant he never fulfilled his true international potential.

I also remember him as a coach especially his time at Newcastle where the Magpies pushed Manchester United in the Premiership race in 1995/1996, which culminated in his infamous post match interview after a defeat to Liverpool.  Something that I remember to this day.

Rest in peace and thanks for the memories.