Hi, I'm Philip Birch.
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Update 4th April 2025
The DaVinci Stone and Other Stories of Time
Now available in print. Order via the form at the bottom of this page for £9.99 including p&p (UK only) email and I will send you PayPal details
A group of people get a mysterious invitation to go on the trip of a lifetime. They meet up in Rome and are introduced to The Stone, a mysterious artefact capable of sending them back in time to any period that they desire. They travel to 1495 Florence to meet Leonardo DaVinci. A mysterious organisation called Martini wishes to learn the secrets of The Stone, but their intentions aren't pure. Can our gang stop them changing the course of history? Read it here or download. Click on this link or the picture.
A limited number of printed books are available if you want a hard copy
Update 11th February 2025
A game this time, An old game, Mancala, popular all over Africa and taken to the Americas by slaves.
Download the board and print it out. Use buttons or counters to play. Just two variants out of the dozens of different ways to play. Click on the board or here to access the page.
A game this time, An old game, Mancala, popular all over Africa and taken to the Americas by slaves.
Download the board and print it out. Use buttons or counters to play. Just two variants out of the dozens of different ways to play. Click on the board or here to access the page.
Update 10th January 2024
Richard Sargent wants to keep you up to date with the next instalment of his memoirs. Go to his page here and read it. Or click on the image
Updated 10th January 2025
My newest story, originally written on Christmas Eve, now updated and revised.
My 5th Killmuckie story. Set, unsurprisingly, over Christmas. Dorian and Susan host the village childrens' Christmas Party in Delaney house. A dodgy Santa brings some Christmas cheer, and the stable is home to a Christmas miracle. Read it, download it here find it on my Short Stories page or just click on the image.
Read all my Killmuckie stories here and preferably in this order:
1 Once Upon a Time in Killmuckie
2 Operation Yorick
3 Beantown
4 The Garden
5 Tidings
My newest story, originally written on Christmas Eve, now updated and revised.
My 5th Killmuckie story. Set, unsurprisingly, over Christmas. Dorian and Susan host the village childrens' Christmas Party in Delaney house. A dodgy Santa brings some Christmas cheer, and the stable is home to a Christmas miracle. Read it, download it here find it on my Short Stories page or just click on the image.
Read all my Killmuckie stories here and preferably in this order:
1 Once Upon a Time in Killmuckie
2 Operation Yorick
3 Beantown
4 The Garden
5 Tidings
Update: 21st December 2024
The Garden is another tale of Killmuckie. Following directly on from Beantown, a nature reserve is opened, the home to the rare Muff Hare and the mysterious An Gruagach, Ireland's very own bigfoot. John Murphy comes out of retirement and ropes Dorian into investigating a series of sectarian murders from the time of the troubles. Meanwhile Lady Susan has plans for Delaney House and Mrs Considine has a surprise.
Read it here, find it on my short stories page or click on the image.
Update: 21st December 2024
An update on my Short story Planet 3. Just edited a little and any inconsistencies fixed. The short story is about the Arecibo message. A signal sent by scientists to a dying planet orbiting a nearby star is replied to... This story is science fiction, but if that's not your thing, why not try it anyway?
Written in my easy to read style, this 18 page tale is about climate change.
Read it here, on my short stories page or click on the image
Update: 3rd December 2024
My third Killmuckie story: Beantown. Dorian and Lady Susan are married and settling into the village. A developer, FARTCO, plans to open a baked beans factory in the village promising full employment. But things are not quite as it appears to be as the newly married couple find out.
Read it here or on my short stories page here
Updated 4 October 2024
I now have all my Rome stories in one volume now. 'Stories of Rome I-V' is available to read online or download. There will be a limited edition print run in January 2025. If you want a copy the price will be £9.99 (free shipping in UK) order it via my about/contact page
To download click here, on the image or go to my novels page
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Updated 1 October 2024
Two new stories today from the Stories of Rome series. May I present Africus and Theacaea, two linked stories. In Africus Leo and Atticus go to Mauretania on a trade mission, meet long lost family and rescue a helpess boy from bloodthirsty pirates. In Theacaea, Sypax returns to Rome with Salaambo bringing with them a precious and rare herb. Lucia and friend are up against bandits and a gangster in Naples. All the Stories of Rome will soon be available in one volume to read online, download free or as a paperback book. |
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Update 8 September 2024
The great M39 confusion
Newcomers to the Leica/Leica copy camera scene can be easily misled regards lenses. Not all M39 lenses are the same, nor are all M39 lenses actually M39
click here to read about it or click on the image
The great M39 confusion
Newcomers to the Leica/Leica copy camera scene can be easily misled regards lenses. Not all M39 lenses are the same, nor are all M39 lenses actually M39
click here to read about it or click on the image
Update 29th August 2024
I'm writing a new Rome story. Entitled Africus. The tale is about former slaves Atticus and Leo (featured in the last two books) returning to Africa. Watch out for it!
Download or read online my previous three stories of Rome:
Felix and Lucia
The Games
Miu the cat
I'm writing a new Rome story. Entitled Africus. The tale is about former slaves Atticus and Leo (featured in the last two books) returning to Africa. Watch out for it!
Download or read online my previous three stories of Rome:
Felix and Lucia
The Games
Miu the cat
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Update 29 August 2024
Another photography related resource - A printable grey card. Print with any printer, this striped sheet is 18% grey. Download and print at home. Check out my photography page above or click the link here to go directly to the page. |
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Update 18th August 2024
Is the 54 year old Vivitar 283 strobe still relevant in 2024?
I review the unit and tell you exactly how relevant it still is.
Click image for link
Is the 54 year old Vivitar 283 strobe still relevant in 2024?
I review the unit and tell you exactly how relevant it still is.
Click image for link
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Update 26th July 2024
I have posted the results of my processing Kodachrome into black and white negatives. It can be done but with, at best, average results. Read it here. or click on the Photography link above for all the articles. |
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Update 18th July 2024
I have been busy editing typos and errors in my stories and new versions are now online. There are a few extra stories on my Short Stories page including the original version of Posh Score, entitled simply Score. Set in a nameless town between Manchester and Liverpool a gang of penniless Mancs and Scallys wanting a fix, plan a daring robbery. Humorous with adult language and drug themes. |
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Update 17th July 2024.
I've been working on my photography pages, hoping to share my knowledge and some unusual resources to help users of classic cameras. I discuss the history of the exposure triangle, discover the benefits of 'F8 and be there' and how you can be a human rangefinder. Click on my Photography link at the top of the page to read more. |
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Operation Yorick Another short story finished and uploaded. Operation Yorick is another Killmuckie story, set in the fictitious town in Ireland. Not exactly a sequel to Once in Killmuckie, but it follows on, it's set five years after the events at ApThomas's sheep farm. Sergeant Dean is retired and newly promoted Sergeant Dorian Gray has to prepare the town for a visit by King Charles III under a cloak of secrecy, meanwhile his new constable uncovers a nationwide criminal network. Read or download by clicking on the image and find Once in Killmuckie on my short stories page. Here |
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Update 17th May 2024
I have finished a new short story: Wolf. Another science fiction tale. This one starts in the second world war. A young scientist invents a time machine, hoping to help the Fuhrer win the war he jumps a hundred years into the future, but things don't quite go quite to plan as he lands in 2024 in the home of a young woman. Read it here or find it on my short stories page |
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Update 27 April 2024
A new story of Rome: Miu the Cat. the first of a series of stories based on a suggestion, in this case my grandson Joel suggested 'a magic cat'. So here he is.
The story of MIu, a cat with an extraordinary talent and his friend Ivy. Set in Rome at the time of Nero, it features characters from my other two Rome stories Lucia and Felix and The Games.
Download by clicking here or find it and the other Rome stories in the short stories page
Update 7th April 2024
I've been busy writing new short stories with a science fiction theme The Whirl-Aways, is a whimsical children's story and Anomaly, a light hearted story about a scrap dealer who is delivered a mysterious machine by mistake.
Click on the cover to read them or find them in the Short Stories page.
A new story of Rome: Miu the Cat. the first of a series of stories based on a suggestion, in this case my grandson Joel suggested 'a magic cat'. So here he is.
The story of MIu, a cat with an extraordinary talent and his friend Ivy. Set in Rome at the time of Nero, it features characters from my other two Rome stories Lucia and Felix and The Games.
Download by clicking here or find it and the other Rome stories in the short stories page
Update 7th April 2024
I've been busy writing new short stories with a science fiction theme The Whirl-Aways, is a whimsical children's story and Anomaly, a light hearted story about a scrap dealer who is delivered a mysterious machine by mistake.
Click on the cover to read them or find them in the Short Stories page.
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A page of photos and information on the book Bert, Postcards from Labrador here. A limited number of printed copies of Bert are still available as are copies of Felix and Lucia, Go to the 'about me' page to contact me.
Last year I helped my Uncle write his memoirs go to the Richard Sargent tab, or click here to read the first of two books: On Reflection. Richard has a second volume of memoirs entitled More Reflections 2023 - 2024 in which he fills in some gaps and discusses life without Marlene. Read or Download them on his page here or click on these links: On Reflection More Reflections |
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I've finished my second book of Rome, the sequel to Felix and Lucia. The Games is centred around young Felix who has decided to learn how to use his 'gift' with the help of Nero's former augur.
Set between 80 and 81AD in ancient Rome, the story sees the Flavian Amphitheatre (now known as the Colosseum) finished and the opening of the 100 days of games.
Click the picture to read or download or go to my short Stories page.
I'm excited to tell you about my latest, finished projects. Two historical novels, Felix and Lucia set 2000 years ago in Rome and one more recent, Bert, Postcards From Labrador set 90 years ago in Labrador, Canada.
Click on the images to read.
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Felix & Lucia
Set in the few years leading up to 79AD, during the reigns of Emperors Nero and Vespasian. Lucia is an orphan girl brought up by her adopted aunt in a lupanar. Lucia witnesses the great fire of Rome, the martyrdom of Peter on the Vatican Hill, the building of the Colosseum and the greatest natural disaster of the Roman age - the eruption of Vesuvius. Lucia and her young son survive in those turbulent times.
Bert, Postcards from Labrador
A novel, based on the true story of my grandmother's time in Labrador. Bertha 'Bert' Lewis was a mission school teacher going there in 1930 on a three years contract to teach Inuit children in one of the Moravian missions in Makkovik, Labrador.
Based on letters, articles and photographs my story weaves fact and fiction together, entertaining and hopefully educating the reader. Mainly written for the family, and illustrated with many of Bert's photos, this is a book that anyone will enjoy.
Go to Bert's page here to see some fascinating photographs not published in the book
Copies of both books are free and available in PDF form from this site by clicking on the cover picture above, or a limited quantity of printed books is available directly from me. Contact me here.
My earlier books
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Luck is the full, finished novel, continuing on from (and including) my first novel The Secret Studio which follows the fortunes and misfortunes of character Billy Briggs who unwittingly gets dragged into the Jimmy Savile scandal when he meets two victims.
Thirty years after The Secret Studio, Briggs is a bitter man who hopes to win a big prize on a TV show called Prisoner. Using a special code and hoping to influence the score, Billy along with two old friends conspire to cheat the system. This all unravels though, as the past comes back to haunt him and those he loves.
Written in my easy-to-read style, with adult themes, and strong language this isn't a book for everyone.
I have had good reviews too about this.
Available to download or to buy in print. Click on the image to download
Updated and edited July 2024
Luck is the full, finished novel, continuing on from (and including) my first novel The Secret Studio which follows the fortunes and misfortunes of character Billy Briggs who unwittingly gets dragged into the Jimmy Savile scandal when he meets two victims.
Thirty years after The Secret Studio, Briggs is a bitter man who hopes to win a big prize on a TV show called Prisoner. Using a special code and hoping to influence the score, Billy along with two old friends conspire to cheat the system. This all unravels though, as the past comes back to haunt him and those he loves.
Written in my easy-to-read style, with adult themes, and strong language this isn't a book for everyone.
I have had good reviews too about this.
Available to download or to buy in print. Click on the image to download
Updated and edited July 2024
This is a short stories book. 'Once
in Killmuckie and Other Stories' is a collection of light hearted tales. Now into its second printing. All the individual stories are here |
'The Secret Studio' is my first novella.
Set between 1979 & 1984 this story follows Billy Briggs as he gets his first job and stumbles upon the seedy and dangerous world of underground porn in the early 80's Now, the first part of the novel 'Luck' where this link takes you
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