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…]
Travel
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…]
20th Century
The Only One in The World?
I’m a great believer that surges of adrenaline reshape the connections in the brain in the way a deluge of flood water might reshape a river valley. You are not the same person after an [more…]
theatre
Postcard From London
Mrs AWS and I are in London having chaperoned a Chinese VVIP to a rendezvous in the food court outside Euston Station. The little girl and her new escorts head off in the rough direction [more…]
Diary
BR And The Weather Versus a G-P Correspondent
We’re off to London chaperoning; myself, Mrs AWS, and our VVIP, the granddaughter of a Chinese injection-moulded plastics billionaire. Our trip has been disrupted by Storm Floris. Only two trains this day head from as [more…]
Diary
Through The Storm to The Smoke
After a breakfast of yoghurt and cheese, washed down with a glass of full-fat milk, we made our way to the railway station early. Storm Floris was interrupting myself, Mrs AWS’s, and our VVIP’s chaperoning [more…]