Arts
All change at Shijiazhuang
In spring 2013, I travelled by train across China from Guangzhou to Qingdao in the north via Wuhan. This leg starts at Shijiazhuang, where I discovered the hard way why most Chinese plan their journeys [more…]
Holiday
Arts
Life In A Hungarian Village
Our village is situated in Vas County, the far west of Hungary close to the Austrian border and is surrounded by forest and agricultural land. Although we can see the Alps in the distance this [more…]
Arts
Across Hubei by HSR
In spring 2013, I travelled by train across China from Guangzhou to Qingdao in the north via Wuhan. This part starts in Wuhan, from where the high-speed rails led northward from Hubei Province and across [more…]
Arts
Postcard from the Past: Ailsa Craig
Most people will be familiar with Ailsa Craig as the big rock on the horizon during the ferry journey between Loch Ryan in Galloway and Ulster. It stands as a sentinel at the seaward end [more…]
Arts
Where the river rages
This is NOT about the Wuhan virus, but it is about Wuhan. In spring 2013, I travelled by train across China from Guangzhou to Qingdao in the north. Wuhan was more or less the middle [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille Part 52
If you still need proof of the existence of God through nature then take the bus, jeepney and pedicar as far as you can. When the way gets too steep for the pedicar cyclist, alight [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille, Part 51
I’m in my room, above my ‘Anglo Philippine’ office, in the Durian building in Davao City, in the wild south of the Philippine Islands. It is siesta time and I’ve been interrupted again, despite barricading [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille, Part 50
Roberto rolled out of his hammock and felt the soles of his feet against a mud floor. He could hardly stand up. An empty bottle of local brew fell from him and bounced by his [more…]
Arts
Cruising at Christmas (and the New Year) – Part 3
Wednesday – St Maarten (New Years Day) I woke this morning feeling pretty good, somewhat surprisingly considering the volume of champagne consumed last night. Sensibly the restaurant was open for breakfast an hour later than [more…]