Fugitives Drift was established by David Rattray together with his wife Nicky and built an award winning lodge for travellers to enjoy this remarkable tale. Tragically, in January 2007, David was killed by an intruder but Fugitives Drift is a fantastic legacy to something he developed with his wife Nicky and it still remains today. Rob Caskie has taken over as the primary historian. Like David, Rob speaks fluent Zulu, understands the history inside out and is perhaps the best orator I’ve ever heard.

The 2 battles I was interested by were the battle at Isandlwana where the Zulu army wiped out around 1,300 British troops on 22nd January 1879. Later on that day, a lesser force of Zulus who had missed out on the action at Isandlwana, sought their opportunity and so against orders, they assaulted Rorke’s Drift. This defensive action went down in the history of the British Army as one of its most remarkable battles which saw eleven Victoria Crosses awarded. Less than 140 British troops battled with approximately 4,000 Zulus in a battle that raged all night.

My stop at Fugitives Drift started out with the afternoon tour of the Rorke’s Drift site. It is a couple of miles from the Lodge and we started looking round the museum that was hospital building at the time of the battle. As with most battlefield museums, there are different artefacts from the battle (rifles, bullets, buckles, spears etc) yet the most eye-catching item I found was a model of the battlefield. It showed the latter stages of the battle after the hospital had been evacuated and the soldiers were defending the store behind their stacks of mealie bags. The model revealed a few red coated troops surrounded on all sides by Zulu warriors several deep and this was the 1st occasion I’d really had the opportunity to visualise the battle properly. All of the movies and images I’ve seen in the past were in most cases close ups with a few people yet this model provided an overall impression that was quite frankly, astonishing.

To assist travellers and tourists imagine the layout, there are lines of stones marking where the defensive lines were placed. Rob started the tale detailing what Rorke’s Drift was and the reasons why it had been assaulted. He made you realise there was clearly so much more to the battle than only a struggle between black and white, British redcoat versus Zulu warrior. Overall, the excursion was about three hours and everyone only sat listening to this excellent story teller recounting the incidents of 22nd January 1879.

Back at the lodge, I freshened up in my superb room. It really was a shame I couldn’t spend longer in the room since it was so comfortable however it was time for beverages just ahead of dinner and so I made my way to the dining area. The room is much like a museum with pictures, flags, notes, firearms and a great deal more covering the walls. The dinner itself was fantastic. Everybody staying at the Lodge sat around the a single table. It had been an extremely satisfying evening but an early start the next day meant it wouldn’t be a late night.

My 6:30am alarm call was a nice warm pot of tea being brought to my room (its wonderful to see a few British traditions still live on). We’d a good warm breakfast just before leaving for our morning excursion of Isandlwana. This battlefield is across the Buffalo river and the historian was a Zulu named Joseph. This is a very different battleground to Rorke’s Drift. The battle took place on a massive plain in the shadow of a mountain so the orientation took a lot longer as we first went to the museum ahead of moving on to the hilltop from where the Zulu commanders were standing 129 years ago. We headed over to the battlefield itself and parked up. Now the talk was going to be a few hours hence we had deck chairs that we carried up the mountain to a vantage point which offered us a wonderful view of the battleground. Bear in mind, the elevation was around a mile above sea level thus it wasn’t the easiest climb I’d ever tried.

Joseph, like Rob gave us a compelling lecture and really helped us picture the scene. He also said that though he was a Zulu, he wasn’t there to offer ‘their side of the story’, he wanted to provide us with the facts of what happened, occasionally in really graphic detail. At the right times, he would echo the Zulu cries which were made way back in 1879 and as his voice echoed all around us, it helped bring a lot more realism to the setting. The story was captivating. I listened to Joseph recited what was happening and my eyes wandered around the surroundings which was full of heaps of white stones. These heaps of stones mark the resting places of the British troopers who were buried where the died. Each pile of stones represented 6-8 men except for 2 sizeable heaps that were for as many as forty men. The hard African earth meant it had been tough to dig anything but shallow graves for the soldiers and heap stones on them.

Just after the talk was over, we had time to walk round several of the graves and memorials at Isandlwana before heading back again for lunch. This was an amazing destination and I most certainly could have done with having an extra day as there was a Zulu village to visit in addition to the walk down to the Buffalo river where Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill lost their lives saving the Queen’s Colour of their regiment and years later became the very first men to be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

There was a time that when a white man in car was seen in this area, it typically meant they were lost. Nowadays, it has an industry based on the work David and Nicky Rattray began meaning there’s a massive fascination with those battles involving the army of the biggest Empire the planet has ever seen and the very best warriors Africa has ever produced.

The Anglo Zulu War of 1879 last only six months but had a significant impact on both the Zulu Kingdom and the British Empire.. Unique version for reprint here: Fugitives Drift Lodge For The Perfect Zulu Battlefield Encounter.

When the Fender Telecaster was introduced to the market in 1950, there was a surge in the guitar music world. Subsequent to this introduction, the Gibson Les Paul made its debut. Gibson was and is a leading musical instrument manufacturer. Les Paul was one of the most respected guitarists at the time. Les Paul was known for his innovation in musical instruments and because of this the president of Gibson Company, Ted McCarthy, recruited Les Paul to be a consultant for Gibson.

Les Paul first made a solid body prototype known as The Log. Les Paul had already approached Gibson in 1945 with this prototype but the idea was refused. In 1951, Les Paul and Gibson began working together and Les Pauls innovative idea created a shock wave in the music community. The line of Gibson hollow-body electric guitars inspired ideas to create the Gibson Les Paul. It differed greatly from Fender because the Fender was a solid body and Gibson Les Paul sported a more curved body and a glued-in neck.

The role of Les Paul and Gibson was not without any controversy. One issue was that the president of Gibson Corporation approached Les Paul and asked him for permission to print his name on the headstock of the guitar. He hoped this would increase the sales of the Gibson Les Paul. It was also claimed by McCarthy that they only had discussions with Les Paul regarding the tailpiece and fitting of a maple cap over the mahogany body for increased density and sustain. Les Paul also wanted the new model to have a gold finish but the Gibson gave flame and tiger maple finishes for it to compete with the Fender.

The original Les Paul guitar had just two models– the regular model called the “Goldtop” and the custom model that included upgraded hardware in a black finish. There was a constant improvement seen in the electric pickups, body and hardware patterns which was very pleasing to guitarists. The humbucking pickup completely eliminated the 60-cycle humming that previously inundated the amplified guitars.

The Gibson Les Paul has changed and evolved through the years. The Gibson Les Paul models are Goldtop (1952-1957), Custom (1954-1960), Gibson Les Paul Junior (1954-1960), Gibson Les Paul TV (1955-1960), Gibson Les Paul Special (1955-1960), Gibson Les Paul Standard (1958-1960), Gibson Les Paul SG 1961, Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 1968, Gibson Les Paul Studio 1983, as well as the modern Gibson Les Paul guitars. In the 1960s, prominent rock guitarists began using the Les Paul and this really solidified the reputation of quality and ease of play. This is why the Gibson Les Paul is so popular today with upcoming and established guitarists.

How many times do you come across important historical buildings damaged by neglect and abuse? Every country must maintain its historic places. Because buildings like malls, parks and highways can be built anywhere. But a historic site which is neglected and abused will lose its attraction and over time will fall into rubble. And no amount of strategy or attention will be able to bring a historic place back to its past attraction when it has been totally neglected and damaged by people. The most important historic sites can be preserved for the following generations if we follow a proper plan for their maintenance.

Maintaining historic places must have a structured process. If the historic location is conserved with the aid of a correct plan, it will bring about amazing results. While designing a program for the conservation of historic locations, its vital to maintain the out goings within limits. If the spending rise to an unwanted limit, it will draw negative attention from the local populace and result in tighter limits for the conservation of other alternative buildings in the future.

The most important job which should be done by restoration experts is to test for the age of the historic site. This will be quickly achieved by carrying out a program of scientific tests. It can also be completed if there are public or archaeological records of the site. after you know the true age of the historic location, we discover the true worth of the site ” this doesnt mean that if a site is not very old ” its not worth taking care of.

You should check the suitability of the materials that were used on the historic location. This will require a complete list of all the materials used on all the structures found at the site. Issues such as the impact of temperature, humidity, weathering, fire, air pollution, storms and flood on the resources found on the site needs to be studied carefully, so that best possible plan to limit further harm to the area.

It is important to track the layout of any buildings constructed on the site. This is needed to help conservation experts according to the style they specialize in. Taking the assistance of the most experienced experts who are not skilled in the architectural design displayed at the historic site would cause a huge issue for your conservation project. Without keeping track the right way, you could rebuild the site wrong.

Your crew of conservation professionals also need to keep a track of all the existing maintenance and fixes undertaken at the historic location. The problems encountered by the previous restoration staff while looking after or fixing the historic site too needs to be accounted for and recorded. Always remember resources such as wood and leather rot very quickly, where as stone materials and pottery objects will always manage to survive better. You could even need to limit the number of public so that restoration efforts can be completed properly. Ensuring conservation of these sites is of the utmost importance.

Learning details about somebody’s background is something that most people have thought of doing at some time. You may require more info about a person you just started dating, or maybe you are hiring somebody that you wish to check up on. Nowadays this is easier than ever to accomplish with an internet background check.

Years ago the only method to conduct a background search was to employ a detective or employ a investigative agency. This was costly, a lengthy process and not always reliable.

Thankfully it’s a heck of a lot more simple. The net makes it a snap to gain background information on anyone you need.

You can find professional background detail businesses that are on the internet and have made big databases that have info on almost everyone in America. These organizations let you search through their databases to find out information on anyone you wish.

When you run a background check, you will get tons of details – this includes address details and history, employment history, marriage records, court and criminal records and many other details on the individual. It’s impressive to see just how much you can see about someone.

Naturally these businesses will charge a fee, but it isn’t much. It’s a good idea to search for a business that offers a membership feature. With this you will pay a one-time fee and can then run as many background checks as you desire.

A fast way to see if you can get some info for free is to use Google and type in the individual’s name with quotation marks (ex: “Sara Green”). If you know the city they live in you should also include it (ex: “Sally White” Cincinnatti). Initiate a search in Google and then have a look at the results.

To be honest, using Google will rarely bring up what you’re hoping for. It doesn’t cost anything though so you may as well try it out. Here, we’re hoping that there has been information published about the person online and that Google will pull it up.

When you make use of an online background search you will get details on anyone within minutes – it’s incredibly fast. It’s a handy tool to have access to.

Think about the words Motorcycle Club! Why is it that when those words are heard together many think Crime or Criminal Organization? Say you are having an event and you are looking for a place to have it. You can have a book club and everyone will welcome you in! A cooking club and everyone really loves you. You say Motorcycle Club and right away its, Sorry we are busy on that day!

Motorcycle Clubs are even turned away from bars where they want to have events by Independent Bikers,Why is that? We need to let the world know that Bikers independent or in a Motorcycle Club can be good people! We can not show people that Motorcycle Club Members are not all bad if we are not allowed in a Bar because we are wearing Colors, Its the same thing if you are an independent biker and some one will not let you in some sports bar because you are wearing a leather jacket! I hope when an independent Biker who has turned away Motorcycle Clubs from his bar and is then turned away from a bar he wants to go in Understands the irony!

Some Motorcycle Clubs have even gone so far as to changed their name, they call themselves Riding Clubs,Motorcycle associations or some other type of group so they can leave out the words Motorcycle Club! and try to avoid the problems that come with being part of a Motorcycle Club! They say they are different from a Motorcycle Club ! They look and dress and act just like a motorcycle Club but they just call themselves something different! I say a rose by any other name !!!

These Clubs are just trying to get around all the prejudice associated with the words Motorcycle Club ! They are not part of the solution but are part of the problem! This is America and You can call your Club what ever you want, But the thing that unites you and your Club is the same thing that unites all who Ride! It is the Motorcycle! How can anyone leave out the word Motorcycle? It is the heart of what you are!

If You are a Motorcycle Club be proud of it and don’t try to get around any problems by playing word games and calling yourself something else by using different words!!!

This is just my opinion I would like to know what others think, Please email me at AmericanBikerX@Yahoo.com Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to LJs Radio Show at BikerLowDown.com

Digging into somebody’s past is something that many have considered doing for various reasons. You can utilize background searches for plenty of reasons – for example looking into a new caretaker or individual somebody is dating. Nowadays this is easier than ever to do by using an online background search.

Prior to the internet, finding background details on somebody would mean you had to utilize a detective. This was expensive, time consuming and didn’t always turn up reliable info.

Thankfully it’s a heck of a lot more simple. The net now makes it easy to get background info on anyone you are curious about.

This is because the internet now offers professional background check companies that offer online background searches. You are able to search through their databases to learn information on anyone you choose.

When you initiate an online background search, you will find out a large variety of details – included in this is address details and history, employment history, marriage records, court and criminal records and other information on the person. I’m always impressed with how much details can be found.

Naturally these businesses will charge a fee, however it isn’t expensive. You can also purchase a membership which lets you run unlimited background searches for a one-time flat fee.

One quick method to see if you can find some information for free is to use Google and punch in the person’s name with quotation marks (ex: “Dave McDonald”). If you aware of the city the person lives in you should also include that (ex: “Lisa McDonald” Seattle). Run a search in Google and then have a look at the results.

Truthfully, this most likely will not bring up many useful results, but it’s worth a shot. If there has been any information archived on the individual online then Google can find it.

Running an online personal background search is a simple way to discover information on anybody’s past and will give you the results in just minutes. It’s a great tool to have access to.

Many of the “facts” in this story are based on Legend and Myth as much of the history of the Motorcycle and it’s Culture was lost in the great rebellion of 2057.

Taken from a history book in the year 2095…

Motorcycles And The Culture They Inspire 1868-2017

Motorcycles started out as steam engines strapped on to bicycles in 1868. Soon after the gas engine took its place in the 1900’s there were Motorcycle shops and Dealers all over the World. For awhile, Motorcycle were simply used as transportation. In 1907, when Henry Fords, Ford Motor Company, released the Model-T at a price everyone could afford, the Motorcycle soon went from a necessity to a luxury item.

In the 1940’s, the Motorcycle Culture really took off. An organization called the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) held races and events all over the United States of America. In 1947, held an event in Hollister California. This event was attended by many of the AMA Racing Teams and Motorcycle Clubs. This event marks the beginning of the separation of Motorcyclists which eventually led to the end of Motorcycling in the year 2017.

Newspapers, being what they where in 1947, got a hold of some pictures of Motorcyclists having fun at the event. The press decided to embellish the facts and transformed the story of the first large motorcycle rally into a torrid tale of Bikers taking over a small town! More negative news stories soon followed. Eventually Hollywood joined the Biker bashing by releasing movies that portrayed Motorcyclists as lawless and evil.

The American Motorcycle Association, trying to end the bad press, responded by basically saying that the Newspapers had lied and that it was only 1% of Motorcyclists that caused problems. This resulted in the first ripple in the Unity of the Motorcycle World and the Medias’ hatred of Bikers.

Around the same time, the AMA began adding new requirements for motorcycles to be able to race in AMA sanctioned Races. Those whose motorcycles didn’t meet the new AMA requirements started their own Race Leagues. Because the new Race Leagues/Clubs were not AMA sanctioned, they soon became known as Outlaw Race Leagues/Clubs. Although many Bikers raced in both the AMA and Outlaw Leagues, another great separation had begun.

By the late1960’s, the separation of the Motorcycle Community was becoming more evident. There were now three basic groups. The American Motorcycle Association, Outlaw Clubs, and 1%er Clubs. All 1%ers were Outlaws, but not all Outlaws were considered 1%ers. Over the years, the AMA continued to grow. In addition to racing, they began to champion Motorcycle Rights and Safety. As time went on, others formed independent groups whose goals were similar to that of the AMA. Their inability or outright refusal to work together with the other groups resulted in a further separation of the Motorcycle Community and Culture.

In the 1970’s, rifts began to grow between some of the Outlaw/1% Clubs. By the 1990’s, the media had inflated stories about the conflicts into proportions that rivaled the tall tales of the old west. These tall tales invoked fear of the Outlaw/1% Clubs. Motorcycle Riders were lied to,. They were told to stay away from and fear the Outlaw/1% Clubs. The media began referring to Motorcycle Clubs as Motorcycle Gangs, a term meant to instill fear into the heart of the Public. Stories and rumors began surfacing, claiming these “Gangs” were ruthless and would kill or maim people for little or no reason at all.

By the early 21st Century, every minor conflict between Outlaw/1% Clubs was made into a book, made for TV movie, or docudrama. Titles like “Motorcycle Gang Wars In Your Back Yard” were common. Although real wars, conflicts, and suffering were occurring worldwide, the Corporate owned media chose to report fiction over fact. “The world is full of Kings and Queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams…Black Sabbath”.

In 2009, a conflict between two rival Clubs was captured on Video at a “Biker Build Off” event. The coverage by the media and negative publicity was so overwhelming that in 2010, the United States Government passed a law banning all Outlaw/1% Clubs. In response, the Outlaw/1% Clubs put aside their differences and formed “Bikers United”.

The Bikers fought back stating the law was unconstitutional and un-American. Even as late as 2010, workers still clung to the misguided belief that they had rights and lived in a free Nation. The Bikers fought hard and came very close to winning, but without the support of the Motorcycle Rights Groups, The AMA Clubs, and the Independent Riders, all of whom had been brainwashed into believing the Outlaw Clubs were criminal organizations, they were defeated.

Many of the Outlaw/1% Clubs tried to stay together. The Clubs went underground, but after many raids and constant Government harassment, they had all but disappeared. In 2013, in an effort to ensure that the Outlaw/1% Clubs never returned, the Government decided to outlaw all Motorcycle Clubs and organizations.

The AMA, it’s clubs, and all of the Motorcycle Rights Organizations United in an effort to battle the Governments oppression. They tried to use many of the same tactics and strategies that the Outlaw/1% Clubs used. Unfortunately, the Government was much smarter and stronger this time around. They had learned many lessons in their fierce battles with the Outlaw/1% Clubs, and they used what they had learned against the united Clubs and Organizations. With no Outlaw/1% Clubs left to assist them and without the support of the Independent Riders, the United Clubs and Organizations were defeated.

In 2015, the Government passed a law that made it illegal to even look like an Outlaw on a Motorcycle. The Independent Riders banned together to try and fight the law, but by this time their numbers were few and there wasn’t anyone left to show them how to fight for their rights. After a brief protest, they too were soundly defeated.

In 2017, What was now a “Global Government”, in its infinite wisdom, decided that Motorcycles posed a danger to the public. They passed a law banning Motorcycle manufacture and use and destroyed all existing Motorcycles. This brought to an end, the History of Motorcycles. It would take until the year 2093 before anything even close to resembling a Motorcycle reappeared.

As a historian looking back at the History of Motorcycles and the Culture it created, it amazes me how powerful the Motorcycle Culture could have been had they not let every little thing separate them. Instead of embracing something they had in common and working together to protect it, the instead let their differences, the media, and the government divide them.

By the time the Bikers realized how much they were connected and needed each other, it was too late. Their numbers were certainly sufficient to achieve victory, but their failure to come together as Brothers and Sisters and work for the common good ultimately spelled their demise. Had they been victorious, it may have been enough to stop all of the oppression and tyranny that soon followed.

History is full of stories just like this one, over and over again. The ones who love and honor Freedom the most are taken down first and the rest fall like dominoes. Until the rebellion of 2057, we as a Global Society did not realize how important it was to put aside our differences. It may have taken awhile, but we finally figured it out…Just in time!

Your Bro L. J. James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to LJs Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

The majority of what we have come to know about Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan in which it is to be found, has been gathered from the observation of old properties in the area. However, many of these are in a very bad state and have been for a very long time. There are also legendary tales like the one about Joseph of Arimathea, who traded tin across the channel in Glastonbury and was one of the first missionaries to the country.

It is a widely-held traditional belief that the father of Caractacus took him to Rome where they both converted to Christianity. They later returned to the Vale of Glamorgan with the missionary Bran The Blessed. It is also well-known that Christianity had gained much popular belief in the Vale by the early fourth century and that several bishops on the Council of Rome were from the area.

One of the oldest shrines in the vicinity is St. Baruch’s Church on Barry Island, but it is also in very poor condition. Barry Island was one of the most important monastic retreats of the period in south Wales. Steep and Flat Holm islands in the Bristol Channel were also highly significant in this regard. Another very important part of the puzzle was St. Illtyd’s Seminary in Llantwit Major which had 2,200 students.

A castle was constructed on the site of an old Roman fort and naval shipyard, which had been on Porthkerry Point, although it protruded further out to sea then than it does now. Furthermore, many wolf and deer bones have been found between Barry and Sully, proving these animals’ existence there in vast numbers Arrowheads, flints, needles and coins show that people inhabited the area with them.

Barry Island was first known as Baruchs Island after St. Baruch, who was found drowned, washed up on the beach in 700 AD. He had drowned on his return from Flat Holm, where it was customary for Saints and religious students of the seminaries to spend Lent.

He and Gwelches had been disciples of St. Cadoc at the time. On their return to the island, they realized that they had left their enchiridion (religious manual) behind and St. Cadoc made them go back and get it. They never returned alive. St. Baruchs most famous disciple, St. Illtyd was educated there.

Barry Island has had its name changed several times over the centuries. It was once called ‘Island of the Saints’ and ‘Insular of Peiros’, after St. Peiro, who was St. Illtyd’s successor at the seminary at Llantwit Major. He was also St. Samson’s luminary. There was also a St. Doeninas, who was abbot of a nearby abbey on Friars’ Point.

Horse racing is a entertainment that has existed for centuries. It began back during the Roman era through their preparation of chariot racing. However horse racing has consistently developed throughout the years.

There is a great variety in the different types of horse racing. Each race is determined by where it is being held and what type of surface the horses are racing on.

All horse racing surfaces are flat, but some of the surfaces that races are held on are dirt, polytrack, or even grass.

There are three important class of horse racing: Thoroughbred battle quarter horse racing, and harness racing. In the horse racing world there are quite a few prestigious races. Maybe the important competition is the Kentucky Derby, which is held every spring.

This race is actually a social event that is surrounded with parties, luncheons, and even the tradition of ladies wearing lovely dresses and huge hats while the men come dressed to the races in suits.

On the other hand, the event is not all but the fashion. It is about the victory horse really. The Kentucky Derby paired along with the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes competition arrangement the Triple Crown. Victory all three of these with one horse is certainly the major achievement in horse racing.