Retired

A few days ago I filled in my occupation as “retired”. On Monday morning my spirits lifted as I walked up the Thames to Richmond, musing that I am not retired.

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Hot News

There’s been so much happening in London that I must take a break from Kyrgyzstan. I was doing the drying up in the kitchen and for the first time spotted Eddie Redmayne.

Crossing the Border

26th September 2002. So far we have only walked for half a day but are hopeful of getting in a full day today. Worryingly the guide book says that it takes several days to cross over into Kyrgyzstan and we are not keen to be caught on the pass (3,300 metres) for the night. We… Continue reading Crossing the Border

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Kazakhstan: Part II

25th September 2002. The day starts earlier than I wished. At 4.00 am I am pulling on some clothes and setting off with torch and bog paper to answer a call of nature. The moon is almost full so the torch is not much needed. On returning to the tent I share with PJ he… Continue reading Kazakhstan: Part II

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Kazakhstan: Part I

I kept a diary when I went with three friends to Kazakhstan in 2002.

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Henry Percy-Pole

Outside Masterpiece 2018 yesterday I met Henry M Percy-Pole whose exceptional life story and achievements I will relate to you (in his own words) today. Of course younger sons carry a bit of a chip and like to feel that they are nearly as good as their brothers but Henry’s treatment as an eldest son… Continue reading Henry Percy-Pole

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Categorised as History

Travel Writing

It was only towards the end of June that I wrote about Frank Gardner’s memoir, Blood & Sand. I may have omitted to mention that I was given three of Frank Gardner’s books for my birthday this year.

AWBC

On Friday morning I left home at 7.15, exactly the time I used to leave to trudge into my office. I had a much more enticing destination: the Ancient World Breakfast Club.

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Categorised as Art

Asian Waters

The Spratly Islands have been off the agenda here since June 2016. On Thursday evening Humphrey Hawksley’s Asian Waters was launched in London.

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Categorised as Politics