Tony and his Norwegian wife have travelled to Norway many times on cruise ships.

He presents insightful talks on Norway’s local culture, Viking history, explorers, wildlife, the Northern Lights, WW1 & WW2.

Military history is also a speciality including military research, WW1 and The Falklands.

23 years in the Royal Navy provide a solid foundation of military matters from this Falklands veteran.

There are also has a number of wildlife talks that are focussed on cruising.

Every lecture is a story that is structured and is easy-to-understand.

His clear and relaxed style is complimented with quality photographs and graphics.

In-depth research plus a passion for photography and wildlife result in a wonderful customer experience.

This International Guest Speaker and Historian is now an author with five books published,
U-BOAT ENIGMAS, Royal Navy Salvage & Secrecy in WW1.
AMAZING ANIMALS of WW1, for Animal Lovers.
OPERATION ARGENTINA, Falklands Museum, Rattenbach Report & Memorials 2020.
CRUISING & WILDLIFE 1, South America inc. Falklands.
CRUISING & WILDLIFE 2, North Atlantic. Irish Sea, Norway, Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland.

Tale 1 – Vikings.
Norse or Viking history is extremely long and complicated in all of Scandinavia. The culture and life of these wonderful people were different from the rest of us in Europe. The Vikings were not just raiders; there was so much more to them. It was the Norwegian Vikings that undertook the longest sea journeys because they discovered Stockfish and Sunstones.

Tale 2 - Fjords Lands & Life
Norway is one of the most beautiful and clean countries in the world with its stunning Fjords and fantastic scenery, nature at its best. In the last 50 years, they have also found an abundant natural resource that has changed the 6 million inhabitants' lives. However, the people themselves remain relatively unchanged and charming yet different.

Tale 3 - How WW1 & WW2 involved Norway.
Neutrality was their wish for both world wars. This was achieved in WW1; however, many seafarers gave their lives. In WW2, they were invaded, and many more gave their lives. The Norwegian campaign lasted two months, and the occupation five years. Families were ripped apart, but their hearts were with the Allies, as they coped with life under Nazi rule.

Tale 4 – Norway, Resistance & Collaboration.
The Norwegians resisted the German invasion for longer than most of Europe and then they had to live with occupation. Some would see this as an opportunity for themselves and the word ‘Quisling’ would come to mean collaboration. Others took the opposite view and these people were to help the world overcome Hitler by taking positive action to resist.

Tale 5 – Norway's Remarkable Animals.
In Summer & Winter, Norway is full of wonderful animal life. I have chosen those with the most interesting stories to tell. They range from the much-misunderstood lemming right up to the second largest mammal in the world, the fin whale. Where possible, I have used my pictures, taken on my many cruises to this wonderful country.

Tale 6 – The Northern Lights.
What causes this strange phenomenon that we all want so much to witness? We are now beginning to understand this area of astronomy as I reveal the details.
In the past people attributed special powers to this magical glow, however, we now know that this lovely sight could affect us in other ways.

Tale 7 – Photographing the Northern lights, Astrophotography.
Astrophotography is recording an image of astronomical objects, celestial events, and areas of the night sky, but I will focus on the Aurora Borealis.
Preparation is essential for a type of photography that needs no special skills, just the right equipment and knowledge of how to use it.
Many Smartphones, Tablets and Cameras can give you that image.
Note: I can do a personal camera clinic after this talk and it is always popular.

Tale 8 –Who is Norway’s Greatest Polar Explorer?
The most famous Norwegian explorer is probably Amundsen, who beat Scott to the South Pole. It was, however, those who came before him who showed him the way. Nansen, Sverdrup and Borchgrevink are not names that come readily to mind, but they are probably Amundsen's equal and are worthy of greater recognition.

Tale 9 – U-BOAT ENIGMAS, Royal Navy Salvage & Secrecy in WW1.
German U Boats wreaked havoc on our merchant ships, and the salvage of both ships and cargoes became vital.
Among these, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Racer and her riggers recovered U Boat UC-44, including her crucial and secret radio codebook.
My research has now established it was used by Bletchley Park's predecessor, Room 40, changing the course of the war.

Tale 10 – Amazing Animals of WW1 for Animal Lovers.
A heart-warming story of care that will surprise you. (NO pictures of dead animals.)
Woven into the story is the relationship between man and animal, of care and love.
Hear those who were there tell you their story and see the many roles that animals did, plus their veterinary care. (Please note that there are no pictures shown of dead animals.)

Tale 11 - WW1 - The Great Railway War.
My grandfather, a railwayman, was sent to France as a Royal Engineer Sapper.
The story reveals the critical part that the railway played.
Everywhere, from home to the front-line trenches, they did their bit, including secret ports, ships and even female contribution. Miles of track built to supply everything the army needed; this was dangerous work.

Tale 12 - The Royal Naval Air Service to 1918. (RNAS)
Flying was new and challenging, with missions into the unknown.
Equipment was stretched to its limits, aeroplanes, kites, airships and aircraft carriers, always looking for a better way.
They were the UK's air defence, created the Armoured Car, helped develop the Tank, saved the Royal Flying Corp, and developed bombing. Nothing was too much trouble.

Tale 13 - My Falklands Experiences and Associations.
Having served with Admiral Woodward on HMS Sheffield, and Captain Sam Salt, I am in a unique position to explain why the Exocet hit "HMS Sheffield" and what stopped the crew from saving her.
Visit the islands with me in 1982 and 1983, as the Royal Navy learns and adapts to this battle, far from home.

Tale 13 Can be presented as two different lectures.

Tale 13a - HMS Sheffield. The Beginning & The End.
She was the first of a new type of Royal Navy Guided Missile destroyer, ultimately the best, but she would be infamous. Accompany me and experience the first years of her life, including time with the task force commander "Sandy" Woodward, and then get the REAL inside story of her tragic end and the FACTS as to why they could not save her.

Tale 13b - HMS Southampton & The Falklands.
The Falklands beckons for me in 1982 and 1983 on a sister ship to HMS Sheffield, HMS Southampton. We head south, benefitting from the many lessons learnt during this challenging conflict for the Royal Navy. In 1983, we took Captain Salt back to the Islands, where he lost his command, HMS Sheffield. A remarkable Captain who opens his heart to us with his thoughts on returning to the islands he never even saw in 1982. In 1983, I also finally set foot on land in The Falklands and South Georgia.

Tale 14 - The Falklands re-visited.
These islands have a place in my heart after the war.
A visit in 2015 gives an insight into their history, the people, culture, economy, majestic scenery and wonderful wildlife.
See stunning photographs of 5 different types of penguins, plus, climb up Tumbledown with a veteran and I pay my respects to friends lost on HMS Coventry.

Tale 15 - Training as an Artificer Apprentice.
I joined the Royal Navy as an Artificer, and you may wonder what this is?
My story from 1964 to 1969 will reveal all and take you inside the Royal Navy.
Were we the most important group of sailors on a Warship after the Captain, maybe?

Tale 16 - Opening the Box - Research, Genealogy & Skeletons.
Follow me as I explain the research that was necessary to create my lectures and my book.
Military archives, the simpler aspects of genealogy, and basic internet tools are covered.
You can take up this rewarding hobby, but be prepared to accept the reality, as I reveal some remarkable personal co-incidences.

Tale 17 - Above Water Weapons and Systems. 1868 – Now.
Weapons complexity through the years is thoroughly explained.
The last real war for the Royal Navy was the Falklands conflict.
A history of Naval Guns, Missiles and Systems culminates in how well our systems performed.

Tale 18 - Underwater Weapons and Systems. 1868 – Now.
It is a complex, difficult and secretive world under the ocean, but the fight goes on.
In the 20th century the submarine added to the complexity of the task.
The history of a warship's underwater weapons, Sonar, Torpedoes, Depth Charges, and Mine Hunting, etc., in the Royal Navy, is described simply, but thoroughly.

Tale 19 - Cruising & Wildlife.
This is my story of many cruises around the world where I have spent hours out on deck capturing the wildlife that has passed before me. From simple beginnings, my hobby has developed into an extensive archive of 750 species. Added to my photographs are insights into animal behaviour and some amazing tours from the ships.

Tale 20 - Cruising & Wildlife ashore.
This is a continuation of ‘Cruising & Wildlife’ as we delve deeper into the animals that can be seen on ship’s tours and private adventures whilst cruising the world.

Talk 21 – Cruising & Wildlife, wildlife on a World Cruise.
There is a huge variety of wildlife that can be seen on a World Cruise. Enjoy a selection of my pictures that I have taken on a full World Cruise. The variety of wildlife seen was staggering on what was an epic voyage of discovery. There were so many surprises and highlights, where most of the photographs were taken on board the ship.

Tale 22 - Inuit Life.
Greenland has a mystery and magic that draws visitors to it. Along with a timeline of human inhabitation, we will be looking at how people survive in this unique place. Now everyone living here is called a Greenlander, but the arrival of Europeans changed everything.

Lecture Experience:
Cruise Ships: Carnival: Arcadia, Aurora, Oceana, Oriana & Ventura. Queen Elisabeth (Stood in for a sick Lecturer), Queen Victoria transatlantic.
Fred Olsen: Boudicca.
Ashore:
Local groups: U3A, Hampshire Genealogy Society, PROBUS, Retirement Group, HIAS, Slough & Winsor Railway Society.
International: Lead historian and lecturer for the 100th anniversary of the salvage of the German U-boat UC-44 in Dunmore East, Eire.

I am a Falklands Veteran.
May and June are the important months to recognise this historic action by the British armed forces.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.