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…]
Travel
Animals
Reasons to be cheerful
Having lurked around these parts for a while quietly enjoying the conversation, I know that a lot of people on here worry about what sort of world our children will inherit. Although reports on the [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille Part 55
At the end of a veranda, which separated the novice nun’s dormitory from the school’s basketball court, was a ‘shower’. A pyramid of plastic buckets sat below a tap which part filled them as it [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille Part 54
Lille, Nord Pas de Calais. 26 November 2018 11:04 am In Lille, the six of us wander the Boulevards, very impressive they are too. Making for the Lille Eye, a giant Ferris wheel installed for [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille Part 53
The road took the route of least resistance. It followed the coast to the nearest sizeable town and then swung inland, following rivers and valleys into the interior. The dropping tide lapped the edge of [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…]