Author Archives: CampfireBurning

With the spectre’s arrival the room was transfigured into a playroom, only one so filled with rocking horses and tin soldiers it resembled a toy shop fully stocked for the season. Where the wardrobe had been was now a fireplace … Continue reading →

The spirit was Burning’s grandfather in all his terrible splendour. As if resurrected, his eyes chips of flint, his clothes loose around arms the colour of melted tallow, he stood tall and proud as ever he had done in life. … Continue reading →

And so came Marley to the residence of one Campfire J. Burning Esquire. Riddled with miseries and other chill affectations of the season this man above–or perhaps below–all others demanded the attentions of famed spirits who once haunted Ebeneezer Scrooge … Continue reading →

After reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory umpteen times as a child actually visiting a chocolate factory was bound to be a disappointment. There were no green sugar pastures, no nut-testings squirrels and no pygmy tribesmen singing cautionary songs. In … Continue reading →

There are only so many Christmas stories to be told which is why every year we end up with stuff like Grumpy Old Men At Christmas on TV. It’s been a while since I last watched an episode of Grumpy … Continue reading →

It’s Wednesday the 21st December 2011. I’m a couple posts behind on my One A Day commitment and the subject matter covered in this post comes a couple days early. There’s a reason for that. For the uninitiated, I’m an … Continue reading →

Outrunning the past isn’t easy. Oh sure, you think it is at first. You’re born and before you know it your potty training days are over. You start reading and adding numbers together. Even at such a young age the … Continue reading →

Norman Wisdom or urban exploration? Let’s try Wisdom. Norman Wisdom was a British comedy film star. He was most well known for his slapstick, which he practised right up until the end of his life. Wisdom was famous for falling … Continue reading →

I didn’t get out much as a kid. I never have. I’m not someone who really enjoys going outside. It’s not as if I don’t enjoy bracing sea air or rolling countryside–if I were Julie Andrews I might include them … Continue reading →

In 1835 James Newlove dug a pond in the back garden of his Margate home and stumbled upon something very special. He tore into the ceiling of what came to be known as the Shell Grotto, an underground cavern decorated … Continue reading →