August 21, 2024
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Category: Uncategorized
Tanks a lot!
August 1, 2024
‘Having trouble parking?… Get yourself a Sherman tank.’ – Kenny Everett – British comedian Back in the 1980s, the much-missed comedian Kenny Everett had a TV show which once included a sketch I remember simply as, Solve all you parking problems with a Sherman tank. You can still watch it by searching You Tube for … More Tanks a lot!
Another Big One Soon!
July 18, 2024
‘May you live all the days of your life’ – Jonathan Swift (author) Twenty years ago I was madly raising sponsorship for a week long trek I was about to join along part of The Great Wall of China. This was undertaken in partnership with a charity I’ve supported for years and with a bunch … More Another Big One Soon!
My Duty & Privilege
July 1, 2024
‘Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future.’ – Rishi Sunak, announcing the date of the General Election outside 10, Downing Street, May 2024 The political landscape in the UK is pretty bleak right now. With a General Election hurtling towards us this week, this is highly disturbing. I’ve never felt less sure … More My Duty & Privilege
Adventures with the AA – ‘the fourth emergency service’
June 29, 2024
‘It’s OK, I’m with the AA’ – tag line for The Automobile Association I had planned to write this blog about the wonderful writer’s retreat in Wales that I attended last week but it’s been somewhat eclipsed since then by the epic journey that finally brought me back to Surrey. Perhaps I’ll return to it … More Adventures with the AA – ‘the fourth emergency service’
Ready for Lift Off
June 12, 2024
“The British nation is unique in this respect: they are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst.” – Winston Churchill (speech 10th June 1941) So, while everyone was frantically casting their vote in South Africa, we left them to it and boarded a … More Ready for Lift Off
Congratulations: it’s a Book!
May 15, 2024
‘The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.’ – Albert Camus Congratulations are currently pinging around, which is rather wonderful. It’s all because I have a new book baby making it’s way into the world this week. ‘Haven’t you just had one of those?’ I hear you ask . Well … More Congratulations: it’s a Book!
Island Life
April 24, 2024
‘From one citizen you gather idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied afterMauritius’ – Mark Twain; from ‘Following the Equator’ I am back, safe and sound from my two week holiday on the island where the last Dodos died. Mauritius has been a wonderful early celebration of a … More Island Life
Leaving on a jet plane
April 3, 2024
‘Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.’ – Van Morrison It’s been a long time coming, but clear on the horizon I see the glimmer of a two-week holiday. I’m not complaining – trust me – I’m fully aware that we get to do great things, see fabulous places … More Leaving on a jet plane
Mountains and scars
March 12, 2024
‘The mountains are calling and I must go’ – John Muir (1838-1914) naturalist and environmentalist This past week or so has seen us travelling to the Free State province of South Africa to visit friends who used to live in Cape Town. Flying into Bloemfontein we had a bird’s eye view of the vast spaces … More Mountains and scars
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