Workin’ on the Chain: 16 Reasons We Need Bikes

MikeachimThe Everyday15 Comments

It’s the British National Bike Week – and on Thursday, I’ll be attending the University of York Cycle Fair (PDF). Please excuse me while I enthuse wildly on this subject. A Matter Of Fact Remember those long summer holidays where you bronzed your limbs by cycling helter-skelter down country paths, enjoying the movement of the pit of your stomach when … Read More

Putting My Best Mug Forward…

MikeachimThe Everyday14 Comments

Last month, I wrote an article about making a personal stand against throwaway cups. Since it got picked up by the Huffington Post, it’s about time I demonstrated that I’m a man whose words are equally balanced by his deeds. In short: meet my mug. Yes, it’s from Starbucks. Stake me to a tree and set wild leopards on me … Read More

Edinburgh, Back and Forth

MikeachimThe Everyday4 Comments

Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags, from Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle, from Salisbury Crags. Salisbury Crags and Edinburgh Castle, from Arthur’s Seat Edinburgh Tourist Board website All photos copyright M. Sowden 2009.

York: Remembering I’m Always In The Middle

MikeachimThe Everyday5 Comments

March 23rd 2006 The river Ouse was, for a long time, the bloodstream of mercantile York. In Roman times it provided the means to transport bulk goods for the military (grain, for example, as seen in the remnants of beetle-infested Roman grain cellars along Coney Street). It allowed cost-effective transportation of raw and worked materials in and out of the … Read More

The Appeal Of Fallen Buildings

MikeachimThe Everyday2 Comments

There’s a place that haunts my mind – and it’s in Belgium. Now, the less charitable among you may suggest that Belgium generally haunts everyone’s mind. Some Belgians feel this way. But this is probably unfair, even if it’s quite funny. Belgium has had a long and glorious history of being everyone’s favourite Shortcut To Somewhere Important, and it’s not … Read More

Q10: Fitting A Door In My Brain

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The problem with using a PC that’s connected to the Internet – well, there are plenty of problems. Oh, this will be a big list. Short break first. E-mail. Digg – WOAH that’s crazy. Stumbleupon. Twitter. Facebook (Friends – status updates OHMYGOD message message message). BBC News. Huffington Post. E-mail again. How’s my Space Pioneers empire going? E-mail. Check Stumbles … Read More

An Afternoon At Josie’s

MikeachimThe Everyday5 Comments

(January 2005) A lot of people pass through Bempton. The village, a little to the north of Bridlington and a little inland from Flamborough Head, is the site of the ornithologically famous Bempton cliffs, one of England prime seabird nurseries (particularly gannets). The cliff walk is spectacular, so you’ve be forgiven for not lingering in Bempton itself, except to grab … Read More