Tom Lehrer

Posted on 6 April 2026 by pws

When I was at school in the late 60s, our Music teacher would play us records by Tom Lehrer. Not the very rude ones, but the more acceptable ones.

If you don’t know TL, here’s a clip:

If that doesn’t work, here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taui8bOM4_c

Lehrer was a very clever chap. He had a Masters from Harvard by the age of 19. He sang comic, and not so comic songs to amuse his chums.

He chose to release them and they were a big success, but then Lehrer retired from the showbiz in around 1960 after just a few years. He died in 2025 at a ripe old age.

His biography is very interesting and worth a read.

Pages: 1 2
Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Musical bear

Posted on 3 April 2026 by pws

We had not come across this lady before (our loss), but we love the way she takes her teddy bear with her wherever she goes, even to her concerts:

If that doesn’t work, try this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-pi_mxX5O8

Posted in Culture, Music | Leave a comment

Bus stops

Posted on 30 March 2026 by pws

We were engaged in a random conversation in a pub the other day. Normally, we keep to ourselves but some Americans wanted to ask us some questions, so ok, happy to help.

One question was this: why don’t red buses stop at compulsory stops?

Good question.

We have mentioned this before but it’s worth repeating.

There are three types of bus stop:

  • compulsory
  • requestion
  • hail and ride

If we are talking about central London, the the last one is rare. Buses will stop anywhere on demand at a safe place. There does not need to be a physical bus stop. Mostly this is out of the centre and more into the countryside.

The others are recognised by different signs:

Compulsory

Request

Pages: 1 2
Posted in London, Public transport | Leave a comment