An on topic post about AI
Blog
Food on the Hoof …. Zurich.
Zurich Airport is a really rather nice airport. It is connected, directly, to the Swiss rail network, as there is a main railway station directly underneath the airport, which makes getting in and out of the airport hassle and stress free. Directly connected to Zurich, but also to St Gallen, Bern, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne and … Continue reading Food on the Hoof …. Zurich.
Food on the Hoof….. Dublin
A long time ago, in an era far, far away, there was an occasional Food on the Hoof series. I have written about the joys of food and travel from ZAmbia, SWaziland, Madagascar as well as less exocic It's been a while since hoof met keyboard but it's time to start again see where the … Continue reading Food on the Hoof….. Dublin
Run Rabbit, Run Rabbit, Run, Run, Run…..
Over the years, as some of you will be aware, I have been pretty active, quite energetic. Hiking through the Dolomites and the German / Austrian mountains. I have spent time in Madagascar exploring the rain forests, fell running along the route of the Three Peaks Yorkshire, mountain biking in the North Yorks Wolds and, … Continue reading Run Rabbit, Run Rabbit, Run, Run, Run…..
The Joy of Travel
Walter 'Arbinson Wimpole FitzThomas was born in 1725 in the now non-existent village of Fennly-on-the-Wold, in what is now the East Riding of Yorkshire. FitzThomas was the son of Flemmish immigrant Liège Waffle makers who travelled to England in the hope of creating an Anglo-Flemmish variant of the waffle. With the failure of the family … Continue reading The Joy of Travel
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep ?
A long time ago, in a Canton, far, far away, Tim Berners-Lee, created, or, in popular parlance, invented the World Wide Web. To be fair, for more people, the internet and the World Wide Web are the same, or at least interchangeable. They're not, they are different. The one underpins the other. One, the internet, … Continue reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep ?
A Path Less Travelled….
The fun of travelling is the fun of travelling. Over the years I have been to and experienced many places. A good rummage through the archive here will give you a good idea of my wanderings. However, sometimes, with all the travelling, it is easy to miss some of the gems that are underfoot, closer … Continue reading A Path Less Travelled….
Once or Supper ?
Where is the most beautiful part of the UK ? It is a question I've been asked, maybe almost eight times. Possibly nine. The Scottish Highlands, with their bleak, undulating and often sombre landscape, granite grey towns and villages and level of cuisine so sophisticated that the deep fried mars bar is now so passé … Continue reading Once or Supper ?
Battling Berties Best Book at Bedtime
As regular readers will know I write reviews less often the Edmond Halleys most famous offspring makes it's regular solar visits. I am not interested in the opinions of others when eulogising about a new whisk or how a new gavel will change your life forever. Yes, there really are on line reviews of gavels, … Continue reading Battling Berties Best Book at Bedtime
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
The mot juste has been 'in these difficult times' or variations thereof. Economically, the summer of 2020 is difficult. Many small companies are relaying the safety net of central governments, many large companies are cutting large percentages of staff and are themselves seeking backing from both investors and governments. In turn this is having a … Continue reading Post hoc ergo propter hoc
The End of a Mobile Era. The end of Choice ?
Microsoft have recently announced the formal end of their adventure into cut throat business of making and selling mobile 'phones. It is not entirely surprising. Towards the end of 2019 Microsoft announced a number of new products, including a new, folding, Android mobile call the Surface Duo. If not clear before, this, publicly, marked the … Continue reading The End of a Mobile Era. The end of Choice ?
A Grimm Tale
It is not very often that I write about sport, but today is the day in which Scotland were dumped out of the Rugby World CUp by the hosts Japan. First things first, Japan were excellent and fully deserved their win. No ifs, no buts, Japan were better. Full Stop. So where does this leave … Continue reading A Grimm Tale
A collection of Tech’
As many of you will know, I work in the Technology sector; particularly the Network tech' sector. I work with people who are constantly connected, who have £500 plus mobile phones, some of whom have £1000 plus mobiles. Their device processing power is ten to the many times greater than the entire processing power of … Continue reading A collection of Tech’
A Legacy of Spies by John le Carré
A Legacy of Spies If one were to ask What is the capital of Switzerland the vast majority of people we offer Zurich. Some, with a slightly more abstract mind may offer Lausanne, or, confusingly, Luzern. Basel will occasionally get a mention. Of course, the more astute of you will know it is Berne. A … Continue reading A Legacy of Spies by John le Carré
The Future. Yesterday
During a recent conversation with a colleague, we agreed that, in all respects, we are now living in a better world than at any point in history. And indeed, we are. In all aspects. Except one. I will come back to that. Despite some notable exceptions, adult educational levels are growing across the world and, … Continue reading The Future. Yesterday
An Oxymoron for Food
It is not very often that I do a restaurant review, partly because I never read other people's reviews, partly because they're often rather fatuous and have the word Instagram in there somewhere and partly because I am not that self obsessed that I think other people really care what I am eating. Despite that, … Continue reading An Oxymoron for Food
A view of the Future, about the Past
It is more than three years since the UK decided to leave the European Union. In a few weeks from now, the UK will have its third Prime Minister who will have the dubious task of resolving the so called Brexit question. At the time of writing the two contenders for the top job are … Continue reading A view of the Future, about the Past
Ode to Psion
An ode to Psion. As some of you will know, one of my all time favourite tools was my Psion 5MX. It was the tech tools of the late 1990's and all the way through what have become known as the noughties. Alas, with the rise of the touch screen device and the inclusion of … Continue reading Ode to Psion
AI, Turing and You.
Over the last weeks and moths we have been reading about the progress of AI, or Artificial Intelligence and how it will help / destroy / save humanity. As recently as yesterday the BBC published an article that states Googles claims that its own AI offering can now make telephone calls on your behalf and … Continue reading AI, Turing and You.
Psion: the last computer
I am not going to claim any sort of credit for this, as I am lifting, in it's entirety from The Register. The original URL is here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/26/psion_special/ This is one of my favourite “histories of computers” stories, based around one of my favourite tools and, as it turns out, around a product that … Continue reading Psion: the last computer
WIndows 10 Lean and the SaaS future
Having recently read an article on The Register about a rumoured, new version of WIndows 10, called Windows 10 Lean, I began to wonder if, realistically, a life without Windows, as an OS was viable. According to The Reg' article it will become "a Win32-capable but UWP-focused OS with differences on the component level." … Continue reading WIndows 10 Lean and the SaaS future
Buying a new Computer; Part Three
In previous articles on the subject of how to buy a new computer I have written about the main uses for a computer, for at least 80% of the people 80% of the time, as well as the operating systems available, such as Windows 10, Chrome OS and Linux O/S's, such as Ubuntu. Ubuntu is … Continue reading Buying a new Computer; Part Three
Buying a new Computer; Part Two
In the previous post about how to choose and buy a computer, I focused on what is likely to be the main function for this particular user, that of writing, creating, editing, updating office type documents, either word processor documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Depending on what the needs of the user will be the choice … Continue reading Buying a new Computer; Part Two
Buying a new Computer; Part One
For reasons that are not that interesting here, I've recently been asked the question "which computer should I buy?" For most people the answer would be to pop down to their local computer shop, DigiTec here in Switzerland, PCWorld in England, Krefel or Vanden Borre in Belgium or Komplett in Sweden, armed with a wallet … Continue reading Buying a new Computer; Part One
21st Century Mysticism
In recent weeks I have been perturbed by two recent stories about the lack of rationality in human life. One of my passions is science and the scientific process, by which theorems are proven by the ability to observe, test, refine share and, most importantly, reproduce an outcome. That is how, in simple terms, we … Continue reading 21st Century Mysticism
The Land of Nod – read by Stephen Fry
For those who like Cricket. It's Ashes Time Music by Booker T and the MG's, Soul Limbo. The Land of Nod Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850 - 1894 From Breakfast on through all the day At home among my friends I stay, But every night I go abroad Afar into the land of Nod. All by myself I have … Continue reading The Land of Nod – read by Stephen Fry
A brief history of unified time
The history of unified time, from the view point of English history, is an interesting story and includes the story of a self taught Yorkshire carpenter, the history of maritime disasters, the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London and the mess that was the Victorian railway time table. First, a little history and science. Imagine a … Continue reading A brief history of unified time
The Mother of Invention
For reasons I am not going to go into, I have just discovered that Edwin Beard Budding was the inventor not only of the Lawn Mower, but in 1842 invented the adjustable spanner. Two everyday items that largely go unnoticed. And the name of Budding is almost unknown outside of those people who will debate … Continue reading The Mother of Invention
Who should we feed ?
I am not going to claim any ownership of this, as I am lifting this directly from The Guardian, and it can be found under the link here. Vast animal-feed crops to satisfy our meat needs are destroying planet | Environment Rebecca Smithers The ongoing global appetite for meat is having a devastating impact on the environment … Continue reading Who should we feed ?
Clarice Cliff
I have always had mixed views of the works of Clarice Cliff. I have always enjoyed her work when looked at as art, comparable to the Arts and Crafts artists Pugin, Ruskin and Morris. She is certainly an artistic peer of either Mackintosh or Voysey. However, I have always railed against the idea of living with Cliffs work, on a … Continue reading Clarice Cliff
Food, Glorious Food
Almost everything on these pages are related to Project Management, Technology and the things that interest me. This post is no different. Except that it is not about Project Management nor Technology. I have been vegan for a little over three years. You’ll find some vegan recipes on this website. My daughter recently turned Three … Continue reading Food, Glorious Food
Victoria Sponge
Ingredients 300 g dairy-free margarine , (suitable for baking), plus extra for greasing 300 g gluten-free plain flour, plus extra for dusting 300 g golden caster sugar 2 vanilla pods 200 g organic soya yoghurt zest of 2 lemons 2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder ½ teaspoon xanthan gum optional: rice milk For the filling: 200 … Continue reading Victoria Sponge
Vegan Pizza Base / Dough
Ingredients 500 Grams Plain white flour 2 Teaspoons Dry yeast (heaped) 1 Teaspoon Salt 300 ml Warm water (Approx') 4 Teaspoons Olive oil (plus a little extra) Method Preheat your oven to 240 C or 450 F (yes, I know, it's really hot!). In a large mixing bowl, toss in your flour, yeast, and salt. … Continue reading Vegan Pizza Base / Dough
Thai Curry
Ingredients. Tofu : cut into 1cm [ish] cubes. Firm, dry tofu is the best. Coconut milk 500ml Curry paste (tea spoon or two max') Scotch Bonnet pepper Miniature corn (the finger sized miniature corn) Fresh spinach 400 / 500 grams. Shiitake mushrooms 250 grams Lemon grass / chives / Lime leaves [100% optional] Colemans mustard … Continue reading Thai Curry
Low fat sweet potato chocolate pudding
Ingredients. 1 pound sweet potatoes (450 g) 1 cup plant milk of your choice (250 ml) ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (40 g) 2 tbsp maple syrup / Agave Syrup 8 Deglet Nour or 4 Medjool dates Method Wash, peel and chop the sweet potatoes. Steam or boil them for about 25 minutes or until … Continue reading Low fat sweet potato chocolate pudding
Another Vegan Victoria Sponge Cake
Vegan Victoria Sponge Cake For the Sponge 75g Dairy Free Spread (I find Vitalite works best) 70g Caster Sugar 3tbsp Smooth Apricot Jam 150g Vanilla Soya Yoghurt (I use Alpro) 175g Good Quality Self-Raising Flour 2tsp Baking Powder For the Filling 125g Dairy Free Block Butter (I use Stork Baking Block) 250g Icing Sugar (Plus … Continue reading Another Vegan Victoria Sponge Cake
Getting Things Done
With all of the media noise around unified platforms, applications synchronizing between desktops, mobile and cloud environments and the need for all of us to “get things done” quickly, efficiently and, it seems, more importantly, on the go, there are more and more applications vying for our eyes, our download bandwidth and our private data. … Continue reading Getting Things Done
The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus: The Mathematics of Christmas
The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus: The Mathematics of Christmas. How do you apply game theory to select who should be on your Christmas shopping list? Can you predict Her Majesty's Christmas Message? Will calculations show Santa is getting steadily thinner - shimmying up and down chimneys for a whole night - or fatter - … Continue reading The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus: The Mathematics of Christmas
BBC CrowdScience
If you would like to hear me, on the BBC World Service programme CrowdScience, talking about Epigenetics, with Marnie Chesterton, you can stream the programme here. If you would like to save it, the link is here. I really hope you enjoy it. I did !
Technology misses, technology hits
When it comes to buying stuff I have, in hindsight, made some none mainstream choices, my Psion 5MX was one of my best, alas, now confined to being no more than a curio, mostly down to it not being able to connect with modern computers which lack serial ports. I am still partial to using … Continue reading Technology misses, technology hits
The Brain: The Story of You
The Brain: The Story of You 'This is the story of how your life shapes your brain, and how your brain shapes your life.' Locked in the silence and darkness of your skull, the brain fashions the rich narratives of your reality and your identity. Join renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman for a journey into the … Continue reading The Brain: The Story of You
Storm in a Teacup by Helen Czerski – physics for first-timers
Storm in a Teacup by Helen Czerski – physics for first-timers Just as Freakonomics brought economics to life, so Storm in a Teacup brings physics into our daily lives and makes it fascinating. What is it that helps both scorpions and cyclists to survive? What do raw eggs and gyroscopes have in common? And why … Continue reading Storm in a Teacup by Helen Czerski – physics for first-timers
Mainlander by Will Smith – The Wicker Man meets Fargo
Mainlander by Will Smith – The Wicker Man meets Fargo ‘We don’t have missing people in Jersey,” a policeman says early on in Will Smith’s enjoyable debut novel. “We’re on an island, surrounded by water. No way off it. So he’s not really missing. He’s just not where he’s supposed to be.” Smith is best known for … Continue reading Mainlander by Will Smith – The Wicker Man meets Fargo
M R James Ghost Stories
M R James Ghost Stories The author wrote his ghost stories to entertain friends on Christmas Eve, and they went on to both transform and modernise a genre. He harnesses the power of suggestion to move from a recognisable world to one that is indefinably strange, and then unforgettably terrifying. This title collects these stories. … Continue reading M R James Ghost Stories
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (1726)
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (1726) Seven years after the publication of Robinson Crusoe, the great Tory essayist and poet Jonathan Swift – inspired by the Scriblerus club, whose members included John Gay and Alexander Pope – composed a satire on travel narratives that became an immediate bestseller. According to Gay, Gulliver was soon being … Continue reading Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (1726)
The Anglepoise
I love the Anglepoise lamp. Always have done. I'm not going to write much, just copy from the home page of the Anglepoise company, with some of their pictures as well. I'm not selling them, I just love them. 1931: Automotive engineer, George Carwardine develops a theoretical concept for balancing weights using springs, cranks and levers. Using … Continue reading The Anglepoise
Pink Floyd. At the V and A.
The refracting prism, the businessman ablaze, the giant inflatable pig: they may be pop’s most anonymous band, but Pink Floyd’s artwork is instantly recognisable – as this stunning V&A show proves.
The Serpent’s Promise: The Bible Retold as Science by Steve Jones
The Serpent's Promise: The Bible Retold as Science by Steve Jones The Good Book is many things to different people. For believers, it is a guide to life whose every word was handed down directly from God and must therefore be treated as the literal truth. To others, the Bible is a historical record that … Continue reading The Serpent’s Promise: The Bible Retold as Science by Steve Jones
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride Beautiful, flaxen-haired Buttercup has fallen for Westley, the farm boy, and when he departs to make his fortune, she vows never to love another. So when she hears that his ship has been captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts - who never leaves survivors - her heart is broken. But her charms … Continue reading The Princess Bride
The Lake District Murder (British Library Crime Classics)
The Lake District Murder (British Library Crime Classics) When a body is found at an isolated garage, Inspector Meredith is drawn into a complex investigation where every clue leads to another puzzle: was this a suicide, or something more sinister? A classic mystery novel set amidst the stunning scenery of a small village in the … Continue reading The Lake District Murder (British Library Crime Classics)
Theory X, Theory Y
Theory x ('authoritarian management' style) * The average person dislikes work and will avoid it he/she can. * Therefore most people must be forced with the threat of punishment to work towards organisational objectives. * The average person prefers to be directed; to avoid responsibility; is relatively unambitious, and wants security above all else. Theory … Continue reading Theory X, Theory Y
Project Software
By a long way, Microsoft Project is by far the most popular Project Planning software. If not popular, certinaly the most used, due in no small part to it's integration with Microsofts' Office, Outlook and other enterprise applications. MS Project is not the only game in town and there are a variety of other Project Planning software … Continue reading Project Software
The Cornish Coast Murder (British Library Crime Classics)
The Cornish Coast Murder (British Library Crime Classics) The Reverend Dodd, vicar of the quiet Cornish village of Boscawen, spends his evenings reading detective stories by the fireside – but heaven forbid that the shadow of any real crime should ever fall across his seaside parish. But the vicar’s peace is shattered one stormy night … Continue reading The Cornish Coast Murder (British Library Crime Classics)
The Ancestor’s Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution
The Ancestor's Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution The renowned biologist and thinker Richard Dawkins presents his most expansive work yet: a comprehensive look at evolution, ranging from the latest developments in the field to his own provocative views. Loosely based on the form of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Dawkins's Tale takes us modern … Continue reading The Ancestor’s Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution
Paranormality: Why We See What Isn’t There
Paranormality: Why We See What Isn't There Have you ever seen a ghost? Spoken with a dead person? Had an out-of-body experience? These are just a few commonly reported experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" and thus, are inconsistent with the world as understood through empirical observation combined with … Continue reading Paranormality: Why We See What Isn’t There
Dictator
Dictator The third part of Harris’s Cicero trilogy is a fine portrait of the great Roman’s last years. Dictator, the third instalment in Robert Harris’s trilogy of novels following the rise and fall of the Roman statesman and orator Cicero, marks the culmination of 12 years of work and a remarkable literary achievement in the … Continue reading Dictator
Capital Crimes; London Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics)
Capital Crimes; London Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics) With its fascinating mix of people - rich and poor, British and foreign, worthy and suspicious - London is a city where anything can happen. The possibilities for criminals and for the crime writer are endless. London has been home to many of fiction's finest detectives, and … Continue reading Capital Crimes; London Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics)
Can Reindeer Fly? The Science of Christmas
Can Reindeer Fly? The Science of Christmas An irresistible stocking-filler: a hilarious romp through the science of Christmas. How does snow form? Why are we always depressed after Christmas? How does Santa manage to deliver all those presents in one night? (He has, in fact, little over two ten-thousandths of a second to get between … Continue reading Can Reindeer Fly? The Science of Christmas
Welcome to Jolla.
For the last three years my main device has been a Sailfish powered Jolla. The original Jolla launch video can be seen here on You Tube. It is excellent. For those of you unaware of Jolla, a group of Nokia engineers, who were released when Microsoft acquired the handset division of Nokia, formed a new … Continue reading Welcome to Jolla.
Reminiscent of Nokias
The recent announcement of the "new" Nokia 3110 got me thinking about all of the different Nokias I have owned over the years. There have been a few. I have owned other devices from other brands, such as the Siemens C35i which, if my memory serves correctly, was one of the earliest Cellnet branded devices. … Continue reading Reminiscent of Nokias
And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie Agatha Christie's world-famous mystery thriller, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers. Ten strangers, apparently with little in common, are lured to an island mansion off the coast of Devon by the mysterious U.N.Owen. Over … Continue reading And Then There Were None
A Scream in Soho (British Library Crime Classics)
A Scream in Soho (British Library Crime Classics) Soho during the blackouts of the Second World War. When a piercing scream rends the air and a bloodied knife is found, Detective Inspector MacCarthy is soon on the scene. He must move through the dark, seedy Soho underworld – peopled by Italian gangsters, cross-dressing German spies … Continue reading A Scream in Soho (British Library Crime Classics)
1788: The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet
1788: The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet In 1788, 11 small ships set sail from England on an eight-month-long voyage over the roughest of seas, carrying 1,500 people, food for two years, and all the equipment needed to build a colony of convicts in a land completely beyond their experience and imagination. In Portsmouth, … Continue reading 1788: The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818). The summer of 1816 was a washout. After the cataclysmic April 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora on the island of Sumbawa, part of what is now Indonesia, the world's weather turned cold, wet and miserable. In a holiday villa on the shores of Lake Geneva, a young English poet and … Continue reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
BAE and EADS : A personal view
Originally Written on Thursday, September 27, 2012 The last few days have been interesting, politically and economically speaking, in Dear Old Blighty, or Englandshire, for our American friends. Today, the UK's Office of National Statistics, ONS, have published the latest report on the state of the economy. Most of it does not make brilliant reading. The … Continue reading BAE and EADS : A personal view
England, Airports and the English South East Bias.
Originally written on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 It is not very often that I get involved in politics. Actually, that is not quite true, I am often venting about British politics, often with my good freind and adversary Mr Lambert Simnel, I just tend not to write about it very often. The last time I did was … Continue reading England, Airports and the English South East Bias.
Books ….. or the Future ?
Originally written on Friday, February 25, 2011 This week has seen a small, but I think quite important shift in the way humans consumer information, both fact and fiction. Computers have been with us for while; I've written about it here in the past. I've commented on the rise of the portable computer, the hand held computer and … Continue reading Books ….. or the Future ?
A Danish Romp.
Originally written on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 Denmark; home of the Danes, famous for it's Dens, large quantities of sliced, fried and grilled dead pig, Copenhagen with it's wonderfully multi-coloured water side homes and buildings and it's "green conferences"; 'Copenhagen is Hopen-Hagen' as they announced in 2009 when Copenhagen hosted the Climate Change Conference; puns and … Continue reading A Danish Romp.
Food, Glorious Food.
Originally written on Sunday, December 5, 2010 For me, one of the things that really defines a country, a culture, people, is food. In the extreme countries are defined by their food, by their cuisine, the ingredients they use and the way they prepare a meal. The Italians, for example, are epitomised by pizza and pasta, … Continue reading Food, Glorious Food.
Wet ‘n’ Wild in Congo B’….
Originally written on Friday, November 19, 2010 It is not very often than I simply post pictures, however, with the recent rains that we have had here in Pointe Noire, Congo B', and the protestations of "neigh, neigh and thrice neigh" I felt it was only fair to present the empirical evidence digital photography..... Pointe Noire … Continue reading Wet ‘n’ Wild in Congo B’….
10:10 15:11
Oringinally written on Sunday, November 14, 2010. Part of the problem with being where I am, Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo, is that I very often miss some of the important news items or events. Not the big stuff, like the terrible start to the season Leeds are having, or that Stephen Fry has started endorsing … Continue reading 10:10 15:11
David Hockney : Modern Genius
Originally written on Sunday, November 14, 2010 David Hockey has always been a bit of an artistic hero to me. For as long as I can recall, I have been a fan of his work. I am not entirely sure how I became aware of Hockney's work. Perhaps, when I was younger I saw similarities between … Continue reading David Hockney : Modern Genius
Congo, Day…. er, two ?
Originally written on Thursday, November 4, 2010 So, tomorrow, being the last day of October is the time when, according to story, myth and, perhaps, legend is the time when ghouls and ghosts, witches and demons are said to haunt the land with chilly fingers that reach out for a quick ephemeral fondle as you climb … Continue reading Congo, Day…. er, two ?
Scribbles from Congo : Day One of 30…. ish.
Originally written on Saturday, October 30, 2010 ....or, that at least is the intention..... I have been here in Pointe Noire since May this year and, as regular readers recognise, I have been plodding my way, inexpertly around Africa for a touch over five years now. Libya, Madagascar, Swaziland, Zambia, South Africa, Gabon and now the … Continue reading Scribbles from Congo : Day One of 30…. ish.
Yorkshire Day.
Originaly written on Saturday, July 31, 2010 The 1st of August is Yorkshire Day. Savour it. Yorkshire is a wonderful place. And the world has a lot to thank Yorkshire for. More than you will realise. But I'll come to that in a few lines. I have to say, I love Yorkshire. It has everything. The wonderful historical … Continue reading Yorkshire Day.
A Computing Quandary : circa 1997
Originally written on Monday, July 19, 2010 I have, as they as in England, some money burning a hole in my pocket. Not a lot of money, but a little. I also have a nibble in the back of my mind for a gadget I want to buy. I know what it is and I know what … Continue reading A Computing Quandary : circa 1997
England 1 – 4 Germany : The Anglo Saxon view…..
Originally written on Sunday, June 27, 2010 England 1 - 4 Germany. It is not very often I write about football, with Rugby being my sport of choice, but, having sat through the abysmal last sixteen game between England and Germany and the utterly abject performance by England there are more than a few thoughts going through my … Continue reading England 1 – 4 Germany : The Anglo Saxon view…..
Douglas Adams : A Great Man.
Originally written on Friday, May 7, 2010 The words of Douglas Adams have been on the head of this site since day one. It was the very first thing I did when I put this soap box together. Douglas Adams was a genius. In every conceivable sense of the word. The man wrote what is possible the … Continue reading Douglas Adams : A Great Man.
Animal Rights or Soft Porn…. ?
Originally written on Saturday, May 1, 2010 5:20:15 PM As some of you may know, I am a committed vegetarian and lover of animal rights. Being an atheist is pretty central to this, with the underlying conviction that we, as an animal, simply do not have the right to exploit other animals just for our pleasure. … Continue reading Animal Rights or Soft Porn…. ?
The Greatest Britons…..revised. Again.
Originally written on Monday, July 13, 2009. A simple list, which has been updated again.... when will I ever make up my mind! As I said previously ""I missed from the list possibly the most [positive] influential Briton there has been for years, certainly during my life time. A man who was an inspiration to me and many … Continue reading The Greatest Britons…..revised. Again.
The Joy of Travel.
Originally written on Thursday, March 26, 2009. There are many parts of human progress that have advanced by vast orders of magnitude over that last 100 or so years. Physics, astronomy, medicine are three. Genetics, despite the enormous drag factor that is organised religion, has mapped the human genome to a point where two entire human … Continue reading The Joy of Travel.
Towel Day : 25 May 2010
Originally written on Monday, 24. May 2010. Towel Day is an annual celebration on the 25th of May, as a tribute to the late author Douglas Adams (1952-2001). On this day, fans around the universe proudly carry a towel in his honour. The commemoration was first held in 2001, two weeks after Douglas' death on May … Continue reading Towel Day : 25 May 2010
The Golden Age of Travel…..
Originally writte on Tuesday, 18. May 2010. A good part of my life is spent travelling. Not just from one city to another, or even one region to another but more often from one continent to another, most notably from UK or Europe and then on to Africa. There was a time when the boat or … Continue reading The Golden Age of Travel…..
Douglas Adams : A Great Man.
Originally written on Friday, 7. May 2010. The words of Douglas Adams have been on the head of this site since day one. It was the very first thing I did when I put this soap box together. Douglas Adams was a genius. In every conceivable sense of the word. The man wrote what is possible the … Continue reading Douglas Adams : A Great Man.
Food on the Hoof : The Swazi offering….
Originally written on the Sunday, 28. September 2008. It has, I will admit, been some time since I scribbled any thoughts, sane or inane, on the subject of food, and more importantly food on the hoof. For those of you who are new to this concept, food on the hoof is not just the quick 'grab … Continue reading Food on the Hoof : The Swazi offering….
The Return of the Swaz…
Originally written on the Sunday, 28. September 2008. So, I've been here in Swaziland now for a few weeks so I think it is about time I provided an update on my thoughts of this place. My initial thoughts have not really changed, only enhanced really. Swaziland ISa beautiful country. Even in winter, which we are leaving … Continue reading The Return of the Swaz…
Sixty Years….
Originally written on Sunday, 28. September 2008. I have just learned that this year is the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Is it really, I hear you say. Yes. And to mark this 'celebration' the Economists Intelligent Life quarterly has asked a collection of eminent thinkers to list a freedom gained and … Continue reading Sixty Years….
The Future’s Dull, The Future’s Grey
Originally written on Monday, 22. September 2008. Gordon E Moore, co founder of Intel, observed a trend that was as true in 1965 as it is today : the processing power available to users would double every two years. This has become known as Moores Law. Broadly speaking, this trend has been proven correct for pretty much every … Continue reading The Future’s Dull, The Future’s Grey
South Africa
Originally written on Sunday, 31. August 2008. A one hour flight from Dresden down to Frankfurt followed by a ten hour over night flight and one arrives in the South African city of Johannesburg. Luggage arrived, a car was waiting for me, despite that I was two hours late, and I was as far south as … Continue reading South Africa
Swaziland
Originally written on Saturday, 30. August 2008. The first thing about Swaziland I did not know was if the place was actually a country in it's own right, or like wales, was just a part of country it is in. Well, Swaziland is a country, its full name being the Kingdom of Swaziland. Which means of … Continue reading Swaziland
E E Cummins
Originally written on Saturday, 12. July 2008. somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond any experience, your eyes have their silence: in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me, or which i cannot touch because they are too near your slightest look will easily unclose me though i have closed myself as fingers, you … Continue reading E E Cummins
Book Review
Originally written on Tuesday, 1. July 2008. Publishers very often have large and imposingly heavy desks, behind which they smoke large cigars and ponder the return of the black polo neck jumper. As is their way, they are often waiting for the publishing panacea, a large heavy book to drop out of the skies and sell … Continue reading Book Review
Madagascar : Thoughts from the High Town
Originally on Friday, 18. January 2008. Four months ago I arrived in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Madagascar is classified as the planets fourth largest island. Not a particularly amazing statistic, in itself but, one should ask oneself, if you exclude Man, what is an island ? In simple terms, an island is simply a mass of land that … Continue reading Madagascar : Thoughts from the High Town
So, just how big is that…..
Originally written on Friday, 26. October 2007. It occurs to me that many of you are not familiar with the unique and, frankly, quaint way in which the English measure things. Yes, we have pints [slightly more than half a litre [or liter if you really must] ] in which re receive our beer and our … Continue reading So, just how big is that…..
Planes, Trains and ………
Originally written on Sunday, 26. August 2007. Over the last few years I have flown quite a bit. Not always to the ends of the earth, not always to the most exotic of locations and not always for the longest flights, but there have been a few flights, with a few different airlines, to and from … Continue reading Planes, Trains and ………
News from the North : The Final Instalment. Part Two [the last bit]
Originally written on Thursday, 23. August 2007. So, a simple question. Did I enjoy my time in Libya ? Simple answer, Yes, I did. Libya, or at least the Libyan political system, both internally and externally, is a complicated and often janus beast. But the country, the landscape, the geography of the country is a beautiful … Continue reading News from the North : The Final Instalment. Part Two [the last bit]
Libya : A quick History
Oringinally written on Thursday, 23. August 2007. For those of you are not totally certain, Libya is on the northern coast of Africa, pretty much in the middle, south of Malta, Sicily and Italy. It's history is a long but not very complicated one, being one of people immigration and the occasional battle. A brief Time … Continue reading Libya : A quick History
News from the North : The Final Installment. Part One
Originally written on Tuesday, 14. August 2007. In a week or so I will leaving Libya, probably for the last time. 12 months after I thought I would be leaving for the last time and 23 months after I first arrived here. This therefore is my last 'News from the North', the last update in the … Continue reading News from the North : The Final Installment. Part One
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Originally written on Tuesday, 17. April 2007. When Stevenson saw the fruit of his labours finally hit the tracks, there were serious reservations that, should the confounded contraption ever, heaven forbid, exceed ten miles / hour, your brain would melt and seep out of your ears, your insides would become your outsides, your eyes would spin … Continue reading The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Truly Tremendous Tykes Top Table
Originally written on Friday, 13. April 2007. It has been an exciting season in National League One, the second division of Rugby's hardest domestic league, the English Premiership. Last season Leeds Tykes were relegated from the top table of English Rugby, consigned to a year of fighting for the right to promotion, a year without any … Continue reading Truly Tremendous Tykes Top Table
Mark Daniels 