August in most of the northern Hemisphere welcomes blue skies, warm sunshine and for the more intrepid a possible road trip. All of these apply in North-East India, subject of course to the moody tantrums of the monsoon. October 2025
The choices are stark, the dark chocolate hob nob, or the beige crispy digestive, which biscuit to choose to accompany the rushed afternoon cup of tea. Life was not always like this, but with two children and their endless activities, the luxury of choices are limited for the modern father. September 2025
The combination of strikes on the underground, inclement weather and one of the largest defence conferences in the world, made the streets of London a busy place this week. September 2025
Wiping the early morning sweat from my brow, the constant humidity results in a lingering damp sensation. At a distance there appeared to be a collection of statues, but following closer inspection the gaggle of octogenarians were in fact practicing Tai Chi, the Chinese art of slow and purposeful movement. August 2025
In Roal Dhal’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there were a couple of images that remain ingrained in my mind. The four grandparents sleeping together in a bed in the living room, a poor family eating cabbage soup every day and of course Charlie’s mundane and poor life. August 2025
On Sunday morning, as we approached 11am, a frenzy came over the morning breakfast buffet, much like closing time in the pubs we used to frequent at university. August 2025
Dire Straits, U2, Wham and The Smiths were all very popular musical groups from the 1980’s. But at the time the only way to listen to them was either on the radio or in the comfort of your home, on vinyl or cassette. July 2025
Shinagawa station sits to the south of Tokyo and boasts access to the shinkansen (bullet train) and the overland network on Japan Rail, together with the underground. A quick run along the Keikyu line takes commuters quickly to the nearby Haneda airport, in roughly twenty minutes. July 2025
Each thigh may have weighed the equivalent of an adult male, 70 kilos, give or take. Raised threateningly high in the air, exposing vast swathes of buttock, what may look like a warm up, is actually part of a culture that has been perfected over generations. July 2025
Saint Stephens Church, clings onto the southern bank of the River Thames, adjacent to Putney Bridge. June 2025
The Fruit Shop. June 2025
Pictured below is a recent photo together with my mother in Liverpool. We have been on a long journey together, in which I have been very fortunate to have her on my side and on call whenever needed. May 2025
Phileas Fogg the main character in the book ‘Around the World in 80 days’, made a wager in the Reform Club in London that he could cross the world (overland) in 80 days, which at the time was unthinkable. April 2025
The National Highway 24 runs from the centre of Delhi east through the unfashionable suburbs to Lucknow. April 2025
The Air-Conditioned Car Chair journey from Delhi station to Lucknow was meant to take around seven hours, but after the tenth hour, we were starting to get a little restless. March 2025
In a clear night, the full moon in a starry sky found itself competing for attention with events taking place on the ground. February 2025
If the name of a city denotes its character and strength, places like Sheffield, Osaka, Bilbao and Detroit emanate strength and toughness. January 2025
Nestled neatly between the boot of Italy and the open arms of North Africa, lies the Islands of Malta. December 2024
As their index finger pushed repeatedly against the trigger of the water pistols, there were indignant cries by a gaggle of Spanish ladies, urging the perpetrators to get out. September 2024
Scalding me first with a bucket of hot water, then cold, Mustafa was a man in a hurry. July 2024
Growing up in the North of England was grim, July 2024
The Dictaphone is a complicated machine, June 2024
Pinar de Chamartin in Madrid is the last stop on Linea 1, a couple of stops from the Bernabeu (home to Real Madrid), on perhaps the cleanest underground network in the world, May 2024
Kabaddi is an Indian sport, which involves great physical dexterity and strategy, May 2024
Tucked in the corner of a Rue de something or other is an Artisan Boulangerie, May 2024
Hope For The Future - Lessons From Northern Ireland, April 2024
Mexico and I have no relationship, it was actually Covid that first brought us together, September 2023
The garden fence is tilted, the shower handle is on its last legs, May 2023