Karl’s Chronicles. Article 30 Tunisia – Defiance
With life continuing to unfold indoors, the idea of travelling feels as foreign and distant as the places we have in mind. Bail-outs and hand-outs will increase in scope...
Stick to a remit of ‘city car’ and an all-electric smart fortwo makes immense sense
IAIN ROBERTSON As a long-time proponent of purposeful modes of transport, Iain Robertson believes that addressing environmental issues is essential to all of us but it neither means donning...
Steve’s Sojourns; Azamara
Azamara’s 2021 brochure has arrived! You can download your very own to start planning your Azamara experience. If you feel like seeing in the New Year in Brazil, Australia...
Coping with Coronavirus 18. Computer Rage. Is it really Necessary? Plus Cheap Recipes.
When I was at school, we used to hold debates. Someone would speak and everyone would politely listen without interrupting, even if they totally disagreed with what was being...
Gareth Butterfield tests the new-look Jeep Renegade
THE Jeep Renegade was launched in 2015 and has been a strong seller for the Fiat-owned American brand. Its chunky, distinctive looks are very familiar now – but it’s...
Who Is This Enemy Amongst Us?
It lies in wait, ready to pounce, to weave around us, leapfrog between us. This thing lurches from ledges, hibernates on surfaces, disguises itself as droplets in our air,...
Lexus applies mid-life upgrades to its spectacular LC500
IAIN ROBERTSON One of the most extraordinary cars that Iain Robertson drove in early-2018 was the top-specification Japanese grand tourer devised and developed by Lexus, the luxury arm of...
Coping With Coronavirus 17. NHS Thieves!
I had to call in our local Doctor’s surgery, which is in our small hospital. There was a sign on the door, asking people to Please don’t steal our...
Karl’s Chronicles Article 28 Cameroon – Antiquated Modernism
The trace perceptions of an idea hang on the tree like the last defiant leaves in the thrashings of a bleak winter. Out of reach and separate until by...
Coping With Coronavirus 16. More Cheap Recipes
We’re halfway through April and more and more plants are making an appearance. Living in the country, we can go for walks over fields and in the woods. If...
When we return to ‘normal’, go buy that 4×4 you always promised yourself!
IAIN ROBERTSON From years of near-maniacal 4×4 antipathy, Iain Robertson is relenting and highlighting that ‘life is simply too short’ to hold so much prejudice, because we all...
Dacia, whether pronounced ‘Dacier’, or ‘Datcher’, is an automotive gift
IAIN ROBERTSON Every industry needs its ‘Poundstretcher’, its entry-level to whichever, to gain market traction and to provide a perception of good value, where none may exist, and Iain...
Trevor’s Wildlife Week. Ducklings Rescued from Drains in Uckfield reunited with mum.
VIDEO with Logo: VIDEO without Logo: East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) were called out late morning today (15th April 2020) , after a...
Gareth Butterfield dons his work-boots and reviews the Mitsubishi L200
THIS is the new Mitsubishi L200. Imposing, isn’t it? While the last one could have as slender by comparison to rivals, athletic perhaps, this new version looks butch and...
Drop the ‘premium’ label, Mondeo-class is now ruled by Merc C-Class
IAIN ROBERTSON It does not take miraculous juggling of figures to see that the UK’s medium sector is now dominated by the ‘Teutonic Trinity’, writes Iain Robertson, which begs...
More than pork pies in Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray, or just Melton, is a small county town in the north east of the English county of Leicestershire. It lies close to the picturesque Vale of Belvoir,...
A Place to Stay – Finca la Fronda
A cat lies motionless in flickering shadows cork oak trees. Its whiskers barely move in the welcome breeze. Except for a dog’s bark in the distance, a lone donkey...
Taxi Noir: Heroes & Villains
As the virus continues, there’s untold pressure and uncertainty for every working person in this country – and around the world. Well before the lockdown came, work in the...
Coping With Coronavirus 15. Idiots are Ignoring the Lockdown.
We’ve been home now for nearly a month, obeying the rules and missing the family terribly. But we’re surrounded by a lot, and I mean a lot of Visitors,...
SHELLY BEACH SNIPPETS No. 120. March, 2020
Patricia Newell-Dunkley Photographs Reginald Website: Facebook: Patricia Newell-Dunkley Google: Patricia Newell-Dunkley for all previous Snippets Greetings from down-under where we are still having summer weather and...
Can a 13-year-old Ford Fiesta be a viable daily runabout?
IAIN ROBERTSON Collecting a notionally clean and well-equipped ‘oldie’ to operate for a few months filled Iain Robertson with intrepidation (and nervousness), not least because his predominant experiences of...
An Easter Egg par excellence
IAIN ROBERTSON One of the most desirable ‘objets d’art’ in the world is the much-famed Faberge Egg, created originally for Russian royalty, states Iain Robertson, which has been commissioned...
Trevor’s Wildlife Week; VIRTUAL RUN FOR WRAS 2020.
Due to the Coronavirus lockdown restrictions its not possible for many of us to take part in organised runs or walks around the county, so at East Sussex Wildlife...
Polestar explains its Precept(s) in judicious detail – Part 2
IAIN ROBERTSON Whether you regard the Polestar Precept as a concept, or not, continues Iain Robertson, its role as a preconception-buster is much in evidence and having looked...
Rachel’s Wanderings in Spain – Wander, Wonder and Ponder
Before my eyes are open I can tell what sort of day I’m going to have. Now into week four of our lockdown I have realised how much...
Coping with Coronavirus 14. Want not, Waste not! Jamelade.
I was feeling so ashamed of myself. There I was lecturing everyone about food waste while looking guiltily at my rotting fruit. We just didn’t fancy eating any, and...
Polestar explains its Precept(s) in judicious detail – Part 1
IAIN ROBERTSON Having aired his concerns about Volvo offshoot (Polestar), which professed to be as much of an automotive disrupter, if not more so, than Tesla, Iain Robertson has...
Hyundai’s hydrogen car beats all expectations
IAIN ROBERTSON Hindered by a lack of refuelling infrastructure, not aided by poor public perception about the storage of hydrogen gas, let alone its sourcing as a by-product of...
A Stranger in America; Cane Creek Camping Park
Covid-19 tightened the belt around people’s will. Everything is shutting down or closing way earlier than usual. No more crowd, no more rush. People are getting bored. May be...
Trevor’s Wildlife Week; WRAS’s Monthly Casualty Up-date.
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) is committed to continuing to help our wildlife as much as possible during the current Coronavirus situation. However, along with everyone...
Karl’s Chronicles; Back to the Beginning. Article 28.
From supermarkets to stock-markets, from festivals to football, the CORVID19 pandemic has infiltrated and affected the mechanisms and fabric of our world. An invisible enemy, alien to the human...
The War on Health
Crisis, war, threat, pain, distress. We are all under attack by the coronavirus. It’s a tough fight and targeted at our health. As our defence, we are forced into...
Book Reviews
IAIN ROBERTSON There has seldom been a more apposite time to highlight the latest automotive books worth reading than now, states Iain Robertson, and you can order copies direct...
Coping With Coronavirus 13. Eyam & the Great Plague.
In 1665 the Plague was raging through London as it did most Summers due to cramped housing and bad drainage. But the in year of 1665 things were...
More than ‘sneak preview’, Mitsubishi reveals its all-new Mirage, at last!
IAIN ROBERTSON As a member of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, highlights Iain Robertson, it might have been fair for Mitsubishi to lean on its partners during the development of its...
Gareth Butterfield watches MG make a big step forward with the all-electric ZS EV
ELECTRIC cars are all the industry seems to be talking about at the moment. The government is rather keen on them, too. But the consumer appears to be more...
AM reveals its DBX hand that promises substantial grand touring potential
IAIN ROBERTSON With first UK deliveries expected in late-spring 2020, the £158,000 Aston Martin five-seater should provide a vital rescue line for the prestigious British sporting car manufacturer and...
Coping With Coronavirus 12. Breathing Advice
What can you do if you have Coronavirus symptoms but the ambulances are busy? Here is some advice to help yourself until they can get there. First, don’t panic....
Recycling results in Renault’s ‘plastic’ upholstery (on the Zoe EV at least)
IAIN ROBERTSON While it may take time, largely due to the development of new machinery, reports Iain Robertson, when the motor industry invests in its eco-future, it can do...
Seat’s first all-electric Mii is ready to be ordered now (delivery: March 2020)
IAIN ROBERTSON Although potential buyers will not see their cars until the end of March 2020, reports Iain Robertson, based on the same technology as the VW up! and...