‘A picture is worth a thousand words’. That’s a pretty common phrase, as though great imagery is better than great description. While it’s a nice concept, it is almost entirely rubbish. That’s […]
Just words
New Zealanders at War
NZ Memorial to the lost in the battle of the Somme. I was in the New Zealand Army for a while and take quite an interest in NZ military history. There are […]
On The Hobbit.
This is not a film review. It’s an essay about how you view things can affect how you see things. It’s written off the back of the recent release of The Hobbit […]
The games boys play
I have friends who have boys. Young men, little chaps, whatever they call male children. It appears there is no consensus but little bastards seems a common description as well. My friends […]
On France
I live about two hours from France as the crow flies, to coin an expression. I think that would be a particularly fast flying Crow given how fast I usually drive. But […]
Waitangi Day
The 6th of February is Waitangi Day in New Zealand. Also known as New Zealand day. It’s sort of our little version of the American 4th of July but with an awful […]
On what’s written on things
I had a momentous day recently. One of those days that only comes around every few years if you are me. I had spent a few days doing what is one of […]
I’m on the phone!
I’ve got one of those smart phone things. Not a silly one which the people who really want an iPhone have, but a proper iPhone and not just any iPhone but the […]
Round Robin
I know I said happy Christmas and all that on my last post but the post wasn’t very christmassy. This is going to be along the lines of a ’round robin’ thing […]
A spot of lunch
Are we sitting comfortably? I want to tell you a story about a lunch. Fresh homemade bread, some thick slices of cold ‘off the bone’ Ham, a bit of chutney, a Kit-Kat […]
The Greatest Show on Earth
Recently, Jen and I took a trip to Lille for the night. That’s something I love about living in England and Southern England in particular. On a whim we can hop in […]
On Advertising
I heard someone the other day say “the bloody ad’s ruined it” while discussing some television program or other they found enthralling but was interrupted a number of times by breaks for […]
Signs of the times, Redux!
This is just a nonsense post to keep the pages ticking over or people will think I have run out of ideas. Well I have but lets keep up the illusion I […]
You are part of history, record it!
This is more of a plea than a post, pay attention! Back in 2009 my father died suddenly. He had a massive heart attack about 5 kilometres into a 110 km bike […]
A Hero
A couple of simple numbers inspired me to write this particular post. They are the numbers 102 and 116. I’m writing it because it is nice to have a positive tale of […]
Christmas is coming!
I’m getting all excited. It’s only a few weeks until my Birthday and once that is out of the way it’s only 6 weeks until Christmas. This means the doom merchants and […]
Driving a statement
It’s all very well having nice pictures of the highlands on my blog but I’m more about words than images. I am in the mood to make some wild generalisations about one […]
What a song and dance
This is a bit off beat for me, excuse the pun but it’s meant to be a cheerful post as I’m in a good mood. It’s Friday evening, this time next week […]
On The Olympics
So the Olympics have finished, I’ll miss the Olympics because I love the Olympic Games. I’d no more go to a track and field meeting than fly to the moon. I have […]
On a Scottish Mountain
I don’t usually do blog posts so close together. I wrote my 100th post yesterday. I actually wanted to write this one for my 100th though. I guess maybe I felt the […]
Mind games
This is my 100th blog post, who would have thought I had so much to say? It was really hard to decide what to write for the 100th post. You sort of […]
On food
I have a love/hate relationship with food. The most cursory glance at me will tell you that I clearly love the stuff. I didn’t get to be the man I am today […]
Observing Americans
You know the the Fourth of July? That’s when Americans celebrate Independence Day, Independence from British Colonial rule. They make quite the song and dance about it. Some might suggest a little […]
You can get it all here folks!
For the past two weeks I have been without a properly functioning internet. This has taught me a lot of things about how awesome the internet is and how much I use […]
A few days in Lisbon
I was going to do a travel review, but I think an essay is more called for. I’m not actually sure what an essay is or why I’ve called this one but […]
World’s best cars?
This follows on from my previous post about Britain being Great. I was going to add some elements of what follows to that, but soon decided it needs a post of its […]
In defence of the Realm
I’m writing this off the back of something someone who followed me on Twitter has written in his profile description. It says “waiting for Britain to be Great again”. I cannot tell […]
How to get to New Zealand
I’m going to enjoy writing this one. It’s a story I have told to so many people I can’t even count. I have yet to tell it to someone without getting a […]
Twitter, it’s the name!
You know that Eureka moment? You may not have had one but you’ll know what it is. Sometimes you have an idea so amazing you just know the minute someone hears about […]
In the mountains
This is a bit of a variation from my usual rants and raves. It’s odd I’ve not done more travel writing as travelling is about my favourite thing to do. I should […]
On the move
Far too much seriousness about the blog lately. Let’s have a revisit of what I like a lot and do mostly with my day. I’m going to offer some insights, observations, tips […]
Signs of the times
This is just a nonsense post to keep the pages ticking over or people will think I have run out of ideas. Well I have but lets keep up the illusion I […]
Music to my ears. (Written down radio show)
Wow! It’s very glum out in the world at the moment. The EU is in a mire, Iran and Israel are calling each other names and about to resort to sticks and […]
On dogs.
There have been very few periods in my life when there hasn’t been a dog involved. I am not going to rant today, I am going to pay tribute to our current […]
Rugby World Cup organisers? We are outraged!
I don’t usually post one day after another but this is such a huge issue this is a properly irate rant rather than just an ill-informed one. The Rugby World Cup Organisers […]
In praise of London.
I am going to sing the praises of the worlds greatest city, London, today. London is where the worlds greatest empire was administrated and is an incredible mix of history and culture. […]
Amazing customer service. Well done Air New Zealand
I had an amazing experience with Air NZ when my Dad died. I’m going to send this to http://www.verygoodservice.com. We had booked and paid for tickets (non flexible of course) for a […]
Where do they come from? What do they do?
I’m going to have a chat about crimes against fashion and assaults on ones visual senses in this post. Firstly though we’ve had a big week this week. We were in Cornwall […]
Take That ! At Wembley Stadium
Many months ago the hottest ticket in town was the Take That tour, Their first with Robbie Williams back in the band after 15 years or something like that. Take That weren’t really […]
Before the world cup final, I would like to say this to the All Blacks.
Hi guys, I am Sandy, just a member of the New Zealand public who has the opportunity to say a few words to you. You have your drills and tactics, you are […]
Most amazing kiwi sports story ever
In the history Of New Zealand, only 6 men have played both Rugby and Cricket for NZ at international level. In NZ rugby history, one of the most controversial moments was Andy Hadens famous […]
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