HOME | LAST 100 POSTS | CONTACT ME

Author: admin

  • Norwich – Bar Billiards Singles Tournament Round 2

    Norwich – Bar Billiards Singles Tournament Round 2

    After the first round a few weeks ago, it was time for the second round of the Norwich bar billiards cup singles last night, with Oscar playing his game before it was time for my second round game. After three games, which were very well refereed I thought, Oscar was triumphant but there was a lot of surprising and delighting going on.

    Then for my three games….. The first one went well for me, despite my struggling somewhat with this table as it’s narrower than the White Lion table. Quite a high scoring game, it’s positive to get the first game in.

    The second game went to the final ball part of the proceedings, played differently in Norwich to some other areas. This one involves going off the side cushion into the 200 hole and I promptly missed it…. I didn’t get a second chance, so that was 1-1 on frames.

    I slid behind by quite a margin on the third game and it looked all a bit forlorn. To cut a long story short, some fortune and a decision to play the second final ball concluding game quickly meant that I managed to win the final frame.

    It was a really close game, so many thanks to Rufus, although it was all a bit tense for my liking, especially when there were about 12 people watching. I know that it’s not exactly the San Siro stadium with its 80,000 seats, but it felt a bit like that at times.

    My third round game is against Oscar at the VR rooms….. Whatever happens now, I’ve got further than I expected. The results will go on https://www.norwichbarbilliards.co.uk/Singles at some point.

  • Ankara – Plenty of Taxis

    Ankara – Plenty of Taxis

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    As a random thought when we were walking around the city by Güvenpark, it occurred to me that we wouldn’t struggle getting a taxi if we needed one.

  • Ankara – Anıtkabir (Çanakkale Campaign Diorama)

    Ankara – Anıtkabir (Çanakkale Campaign Diorama)

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    There are a number of dioramas at the Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. These ones are about the Çanakkale campaign (better known here as the Gallipoli campaign) which was fought between 1915 and 1916. The allies hoped to seize the Dardanelles, take Istanbul, knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war and open a reliable sea route to Russia.

    It began with the allies making a naval attempt in February and March 1915, which ran into mines, mobile artillery and the awkward reality that narrow waters are excellent at turning expensive ships into sinking lessons. After heavy losses on 18 March, the plan shifted to an amphibious landing, but that again had a sub-optimal ending.

    The landings on 25 April 1915 brought British and French forces, alongside the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps), onto multiple points of the Gallipoli peninsula, only to find the Ottomans dug in, well-led and fighting with a defensive advantage. Months of trench warfare followed, marked by appalling casualties, disease, supply problems and offensives that gained metres at a time and then promptly lost them again. Ottoman resistance, galvanised by capable commanders including Mustafa Kemal Atatürk himself, turned the campaign into a defining moment of national memory in Turkey, while in Australia and New Zealand it became a tragic story of identity and loss.

    This whole conflict was a real victory not just for the Ottomans, but for their prestige and honour. The Ottomans were ultimately left defeated by the First World War, but from there came the new Turkish nation.

    The text of Atatürk’s speech in the 1930s:

    “Those heroes that shed their blood in the territory of this country! You are in the soil of a friendly country here. Therefore, rest in peace. You are lying together with the Mehmetçik, side by side, in each other’s arms. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries! Wipe your tears away. Your sons are now lying in the bosom of ours. They are now in peace and will rest in peace here forever. After losing their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.”

  • Istanbul – Fountain of Ahmed III

    Istanbul – Fountain of Ahmed III

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    This is the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III which is a reminder that the Ottomans were doing hydration in some considerable style. Plonked outside Topkapı Palace, it’s a public fountain and sebil (a kiosk where free water was provided by an attendant) from the early 1700s, commissioned by Sultan Ahmed III, who clearly believed that if you’re going to dispense water you may as well do it with finesse.

    It’s decadent for a fountain, but I like it.

  • Istanbul – Jammy Hotel

    Istanbul – Jammy Hotel

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    The first two nights of our trip were spent at the Jammy Hotel in Istanbul and I was pleased that they were open given that we arrived after midnight. The staff member was friendly and welcoming, using his phone to translate into English. He was jovial and fun, I liked him, noting that he had upgraded both of us. He randomly mixed up the keys and this was the room that I got, basic, but functional.

    The reception area.

    There’s normally a buffet breakfast included, but it was quiet and so we offered this plated breakfast instead. I gave my egg to Jonathan as it didn’t appeal to me, but the rest of the breakfast was functional and pleasant. I love olives, so they went down well. That meat looking stuff I wasn’t brave enough to try, but I was surprised and delighted at all the bread.

    It was a similar breakfast the next day, but it was filling and tasty.

    And the outside of the hotel. I liked it here, although Jonathan was hoping that it was a bit more decadent. I thought for the money it represented decent value for money and it was relatively clean throughout. I like street noise and I think I got the slightly noisier room, so that worked out well and it was a solid introduction to the wonderful city that is Istanbul.

  • Erzurum – Call to Prayer

    Erzurum – Call to Prayer

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    One of my videos that I never got around to uploading before, this is the call to prayer in a snowy Erzurum.

  • Tbilisi – Cable Car Ride

    Tbilisi – Cable Car Ride

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    For anyone who wants to watch the cable car trip up to a high spot in Tbilisi, then here’s your chance…. I accept that the video filming quality isn’t likely going to win me any awards, but it was a cheap trip that gave a really decent vantage point over the city.

  • Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia (15th/16th Century Tombstone)

    Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia (15th/16th Century Tombstone)

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    This is a tombstone from the fifteenth or sixteenth century, apparently made of andesite and that appears to have held up well. The museum notes that “there is a relief of a man facing forwards and holding a bowl towards a pitcher bearing an eternity symbol” although that feels like it’s missing out some explanation of what is being shown here. I thought that it was a hunting scene, but then again, I have no idea. And is that a horse looking down or an elephant looking up?

    But, what interested me, and this stone has multiple faces and mysteries, is that it’s a tombstone that tells a story. We might not know the name of who this tombstone is for, but there’s a whole cartoon worth of action going on here. And there’s some confusion on what the message is (well, there is with me anyway), and this seems to be a handy way of getting attention at a modern day graveyard. Create a cartoon strip full of imagery and some people will engage with the whole arrangement and try and work out what it means.

    Anyway, I feel that I might now be on one of my flights of fancy…..

  • Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia (Painting of Aghazar Lazaryan)

    Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia (Painting of Aghazar Lazaryan)

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    This is a painting of Aghazar Lazaryan (1735-1801), dating to 1774, although the artist is unknown but that perhaps feels somehow appropriate for an era that produced a lot of ‘important’ men and rather fewer signed canvases. He was something of a prominent figure within the Russian Empire, known for his roles as a state adviser, industrialist and someone that started to push for political projects in Armenia. Born in the New Julfa province of Isfahan (now in Iran), his wealth and presence meant that he exerted significant influence at the Russian court. For his loyal service, he later held noble titles associated with both the Austrian and Russian imperial systems, which does rather sound like a conveniently international arrangement.

    I don’t know why the museum specifically wanted to display this portrait, but I imagine that it was because it wanted to show the history of the liberation movement. The first Armenian Republic didn’t come about until 1918, so Lazaryan was ahead of his time here although it was perhaps more political projects in Armenia under Russian patronage rather him being an early supporter of independence.

  • Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia (Russian Memorial Plaque after Capturing Kars)

    Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia (Russian Memorial Plaque after Capturing Kars)

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    This is a memorial plaque from a very proud Russian Government which was given to the Poltava Regiment. Translated, it reads:

    “By the Highest (Imperial) will, [it was] granted to the 1st Poltava Regiment of the Kuban Cossack Host for the taking of Kars, 6 November 1877.”

    [Host in this case means a regional Cossack army]

    We didn’t go to Kars on this trip, but it was the final destination of our long train journey where we got off at Erzerum. I intend to visit Kars as it has no shortage of history, although I might not sit on a train for the best part of two days to get there. Well, not in one go.

    Anyway, the city of Kars had been a Russian target for some time, they’d tried in 1807, in 1821, in 1828 and in 1855. They started again in 1877 and suddenly decided to attack on 17 November 1877 (or 6 November 1877 in the old style calendar) and to everyone’s surprise, not least the Russian Government, it was captured. The city was given to Russia, they liked it and they held onto it until 3 March 1918.

    The situation then gets complex, the Ottomans lost it to the First Republic of Armenia in October 1918, but to everyone’s surprise once again, Armenia lost it in October 1920 after a botched military defence. In 1945, the Soviet Union told Turkey that they wanted it back, something which worried many, including Winston Churchill. After discussions, in 1948, the Soviets decided that they’d withdraw their claim to the region. The border between Armenia and Turkey has been formally closed since April 1993, but it has been effectively closed for a century. It is something of a remnant of the Iron Curtain.

    But, back to the plaque in the museum. This would have been seen as a great military victory for Tsar Alexander II and he would have been very pleased with his Cossack soldiers. The Tsar was a more pacifist leader than some in Russia, but he was very keen for military expansion in this region, something that the population of Kars could have probably done without at the time. Indeed, Kars is one of those locations that, if history had gone differently, could have been in Turkey, Russia or Armenia.