Category: General

General, Historical, Old Edinburgh, RAF, Scotland, Wartime Memories, World War11 Comments

Guns Galore!

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

Wartime Memories No.1 Not long after the end of the Second World War, under the starlit sky of an early autumn morning, a chuffing, puffing old railway engine, enveloped in a cloud of steam, shunted a clanking train of open topped freight wagons into the railway siding just to the North of Bonnington Toll in Edinburgh. With the wagon’s brakes secured, the engine steamed off to get on with its next task, leaving the sidings deserted, eerily silent and hidden from view behind the high random rubble stone wall that borders Newhaven Road. Later, with the sun creeping over the … Continue reading Guns Galore!

General, Historical, Old Edinburgh11 Comments

An introduction to stereo photography

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

The Edinburgh Life Magazine is currently publishing a series of black and white Aerial Photographs taken in 1930 and comparing them to a series of my colour photos taken, from the same point of view, in 1993. This is the third and final post supplementing these articles. The information provided and opinions expressed here are the author’s personal interpretation of the featured events he has accessed. It must also be recognised that modern research methods are continuously finding and re-interpreting new older information. 1930 Edinburgh photograph on the left, and the same location photographed in 1993. TYPES OF IN-FLIGHT PHOTOGRAPHIC … Continue reading An introduction to stereo photography

General, Historical, Scotland5 Comments

Magazine contributions

Change Therapy

Over the last few years, I have contributed a number of articles to Edinburgh’s most prestigious magazine, The Edinburgh Life. 1 The subjects of my articles in this bi-monthly magazine are of a historical nature, specifically areas that I have a keen interest in; old Edinburgh and Leith and Aerial Photography. My first published book was called Old Edinburgh; Views from above – A series of oblique air photos of Edinburgh taken in 1930. Then I went on to publish 3 fictional paperbacks about Sailing in the West of Scotland. These days, as I approach my 90th birthday, in October … Continue reading Magazine contributions

General, Historical8 Comments

Photography rises to new heights!

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

The Edinburgh Life Magazine is currently publishing a series of  black and white Aerial Photographs taken in 1930  and comparing them to a series of my colour photos taken, from the same view point, in 1993 .With this in mind  I offer the following post as a snapshot introduction to the history of Aerial Photography. – Johnny Jones. MAN’S FIRST FLIGHT It was in October 1783 that human beings took the first manned flight. This was done in a tethered hot air balloon i.e. anchored to the ground by ropes. However it was not until, a month later, 21st November … Continue reading Photography rises to new heights!

General, Golf, Historical3 Comments

Dispatch Trophy 1890

Change Therapy

THE BIRTH OF ‘THE BRAIDS’ AND THE DISPATCH TROPHY **Johnny Jones discovers some photographic golfing treasures** A few years ago, while leafing through some old photograph albums piled up on a battered chair in an antique shop, three pages of sepia photographs, showing crowds of people watching golfers, caught the author’s eye. The photographs were all quarter-plate size and apart from the pencilled date of 1890 there were no other identifying marks. However, I did recognise the distinctive clubhouse at the Braid Hills Golf Course, Edinburgh, Scotland and given the number of spectators, it was obvious these photos had been … Continue reading Dispatch Trophy 1890

General, Historical, Scotland4 Comments

Hurdling: Take it in your stride!

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Tokyo Olympics on TV and as I watched the athletics it brought back memories of the days when I could run, jump and throw things well enough to get me national recognition, but not quite to the standards expected of an Olympian. On a number of occasions I represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Decathlon. However one match against Holland in Vlardingen, 1963, is carved into my memory, as that was the day when I demolished a hurdle in the 110 metre race and as a result met a legend of track and … Continue reading Hurdling: Take it in your stride!

General, Historical6 Comments

The closest I got to the Olympics

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

In all my 20 odd years of competitive athletics, my performances were just never quite up to Olympic standards. However not to be beaten, my wife Ann and I travelled over to Greece a few years back where we visited the original Ancient Olympic Arena at Olympia. I must have been crazy to try a 100 metre sprint in the 30 degree heat, especially since I had not worn a pair of spikes in over 30 years, but the old urge took over! It was a interesting day out and one that we both thoroughly enjoyed. I find the history … Continue reading The closest I got to the Olympics

General, Golf, Zander Trilogy7 Comments

Change of Book Title!

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

Late in the day I know, but something wasn’t sitting right for me in connection with the Title of my 3rd book, therefore I have decided to change it from A Storm in a Tin Cup to A Storm on any Course. My wife and I have been reading and re-reading until the cows come home, so we are at a stage that should see the book sent off ready for printing, finally this summer. As many of you know, each time we read the stories, we find ‘things’ to change and then end up changing them back again! Easy … Continue reading Change of Book Title!

General, More Ports More Storms, Sailing, Scotland, Western Isles4 Comments

Fast Lady

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

Zander and his crew could not believe their good fortune, to ‘manage’ the luxury 45 foot yacht the ‘Fast Lady’. It had everything they were not used to having aboard a boat! Zander was amazed to find digital controls in the bridge, including a GPS! Everything was in pristeen condition, not like what he and his crew were used to in previous yachting adventures. Their job was to take business associates of the yachts owner, on scenic trips around the Western Isles of Scotland and to ensure they were all well fed and hydrated, with the finest foods and whiskies. … Continue reading Fast Lady

General, Historical, More Ports More Storms, Scotland, Video, Website, Zander Trilogy5 Comments

Explosives and Jewellery!

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

There are loads of new short stories in More Ports More Storms, my second book of the Zander Trilogy, and I wanted to share with you one such story which involved  Zander, many years before he got involved in Sailing. How much is Fiction, I will allow the reader to decide, but let me say that I was there and have the T-shirt to prove it! In the late 1960’s, Zander was training to be a Chartered Engineer and was required to work at a place called Harthill, where construction was underway to create the first Motorway Service Station in … Continue reading Explosives and Jewellery!

General, Historical, Scotland16 Comments

My Dad’s reunion with Eric Liddell

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

Joe Biden gave a nod to the film Chariots of Fire, in his first address as president-elect, in January 2021 – “Now, together, on eagle’s wings,” Biden told the crowd in Delaware, “we embark on the work that God and history have called us to do.” This line, via Isaiah 40, mirrors the climax of Liddell’s sermon in the film: “They that wait upon the Lord … shall mount up with wings as eagles.” (1) When I read the content of President Biden’s first address as president-elect and saw his quotation from the Eric Liddell and Harold Abraham biographical film … Continue reading My Dad’s reunion with Eric Liddell

A Storm on Any Course, General, Golf, Historical, Scotland, Zander Trilogy10 Comments

Thank you!

Johnny Jones - Nonagenarian Author

For the past couple of months, I have been working on my 3rd book of the Zander Trilogy, A Storm in A Tin Cup and I apologise that I have not been able to keep up to date with all the kind comments received on the website posts, and throughout social media platforms that I am connected to. I have become engrossed in getting A Storm in A Tin Cup finished and the daily re-reading and checks take up most of my time. I am hopeful that I can get this to the publisher within the next couple of months, … Continue reading Thank you!