Hobbies
Overland to Russia, Part Five
Just off Red Square in Moscow, by a Metro entrance, is a curious little basement exhibit, the Museum of the USSR. The day I visited it, I was almost alone as I viewed the dozen [more…]
Travelogue
Travel
Christmas Postcard From Manchester
Thank you for all your contributions below the line on last week’s article about my dreadful spelling. Turns out I don’t have some bizarre neurological condition after all; rather, I’m just like the rest of [more…]
Authoritarianism
Overland to Russia, Part Four
How popular is Putin really? Before trying to answer this, a bit of background is needed. The political landscape of Russia is not really comparable with, say, Britain or France, where the mechanism of democracy [more…]
Communism
Overland to Russia, Part Three
“So how are things in Russia today?” The taxi driver was a burly, working-class man in his 50s; I imagined a brickie now too old for the game. He thought briefly and mumbled a reply [more…]
History
Postcard From Northumbria, Part Two
The second half of our trip into Northumberland started with a drive into the countryside to the village of Heatherslaw which is the home of the furthest north narrow-gauge steam railway in England. The Heatherslaw [more…]
History
Postcard From Northumberland, Part One
Some time back, Mrs JT decided we needed another break and arranged to rent a remote holiday let in Northumberland. I have been suffering from a chronic chest infection for most of the year but [more…]
Communism
Overland to Russia, Part Two
Last time, I discussed the manifold problems you face setting up a trip to Russia. This piece is about the manifold problems you face when you eventually get there. For me, they began at the [more…]
Travel
Overland to Moscow
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to Russia due to the ongoing risks associated with its invasion of Ukraine. This includes threats from security incidents such as drone attacks and [more…]
Photography
Postcard From Spain
The dawn cacophony begins with palomas who settle on the roof terrace just before 6am. At one time I thought that they all sang the same song, but if you listen you can hear a [more…]