This morning, I nearly dozed off in a muddy puddle. Oh, I was fine. It was cold, but I was wrapped up in lots of layers, warm as toast. (Is there a more British phrase? I doubt it.) I lay there comfortably, one knee blathered in mud, my face shoved in a clump of grass. In a way it’s now difficult … Read More
A Mile A Day #4: Seeing From Scratch
The path stretches out in front of me, and I pretend I know nothing about it. It’s a difficult lie, this not-knowing thing. I’ve walked up and down this particular path hundreds of times. It connects to the hometown of my childhood to the city I retook my A-levels in as an adult, preparing for a career in Archaeology. My … Read More
A Mile A Day #3: What’s Inside My Dog?
Do dogs worry? I keep one eye on my mum’s dog, Kai, as we go for a walk through town and around the park. What is he looking at? Does he ever stop looking at things and fret about the past or future, like we apes do? Does he think things like: I bet it’ll be bloody dog food for … Read More
A Mile A Day #2: Travelling Without Moving
I’m in London, on a conveyor belt filled with zombies. Nobody looks excited on an escalator. The standard expression on everyone’s faces seems to be “trying to reconnect – please hold” – somewhere between boredom and sensory confusion, as you discover that keeping your balance requires effort and you’ve actually forgotten how to do that. Everyone has furrowed brows and … Read More
A Hiker’s Guide To (Not Quite) Drinking Whisky
Fun fact! This post was sponsored by a well-known whisky brand. After the campaign ended, they asked me to remove the post and mentions of their brand, which made me sad because I thought they liked my writing, not the links. Ah well. Marketing. Anyway! This is my only directly sponsored post I’ve ever done. They paid me well, and … Read More
Launching A New Life (And A New Course) In Conil, Spain
It’s late at night in Conil when the drums start thumping.
7 Things To Do In Belfast: A Real Idiot’s Guide
“Belfast, you say? Isn’t it always raining there?” No, Mike. Try again.