Towards the end of last week the UK national daily newspaper reporters were clamouring to catch a glimpse of our recent Royal newly weds at Epsom Racecourse for the Derby but almost 100 years ago Derby Day hit the news for more serious reasons.
On 4 June 1913 Emily Davison, a suffragette, threw herself under King George V’s horse

After last night's entertaining and informative Candlelight Graveyard Tour I had a wonderful night of sleep at the Garrison House. In the morning before breakfast I was already able to log onto the wireless network to check all my messages, conveniences that a writer on the road always enjoys. At 7:30 I was ready for a hearty breakfast and I went downstairs into one of the dining rooms. I requested one of the friendly waitresses to put me in touch with the owner because I always like to learn about the people behind the destinations.

The opal is a gem of magical beauty; in its depths flash brilliant sparks of constantly changing colors that have entranced and fascinated people for centuries. Considered by many to be the most precious of stones, the opal is also the most fragile, and it’s sensitively to light, atmosphere, and temperature has given it an air of unpredictable that has added to its appeal.