New Posts
Costa Rica: Patagonia to Costa Rica 5
Costa Rica: turtle hatchlings, superb beaches, excellent coffee and wildlife everywhere. What’s not to like?
Colombia: Patagonia to Costa Rica 4
Colombia at last! This is the fourth of my posts about my Patagonia to Costa Rica trip. New material appears at the bottom of the
Patagonia to Costa Rica 3: Ecuador
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches Ecuador, featuring Quito, the Cotopaxi volcano, and the Galapagos Islands.
Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru
The second stage of my #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip is Peru, taking in Cusco and Inca remains including Machu Picchu.
Patagonia to Costa Rica 1: Chile
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip starts in Chile, travelling from Santiago to Puerto Natales to see glaciers and mountains.
LOVE-MAKING, TROLLOPE STYLE
A description of “love-making” in the 1867 novel “The Last Chronicle of Barset” illustrates the wit, wisdom and charm of underrated 19th century novelist Anthony Trollope. It also explores the pleasures – and dangers – of extra-marital adventures.
My upcoming talks: Bonn and Düsseldorf
Following my visit to Vienna, I’m in Bonn and Düsseldorf on 3 and 4 November to give talks and sign books. Full details below. 27-29
Natural gas: how it poisons politics
Natural gas has a corrupting influence on politics. Politicians hoping for a bonanza from lifting sanctions on Russia should take take note.
A Trump sell-out of Ukraine – and US interests?
A Trump sell-out of Ukraine to give President Putin everything he wants looks the likeliest outcome of the 15 August Alaska summit. The costs of any such sell-out for the rest of the world – and the US itself – would be high.
Cocaine Nights – JG Ballard
“Cocaine Nights” is one of the last novels by English writer JG Ballard. It is a rich, ravishing, blackly comic indictment of modern life.
Trump-Ukraine: a new policy?
Trump-Ukraine: on 14 July 2025 the President threatened major new sanctions against Russia and promised to “massively supply” arms to Ukraine. Is this significant?
Salonica, City of Ghosts
“Salonica – City of Ghosts” is an eery, elegiac portrait of a city that – in many respects – had a completely different identity to
Fake facts: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”
Fake facts: my theory about the origin of “42” in “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” was nonsense. The puzzle of its true origin persists.
Katse Dam Site, Lesotho
Katse Dam site, Lesotho: photographs taken on visits in March-April 1988 as construction of the Dam began. Katse: where are the photos from? In March-April
“Burma Sahib” and “Burmese Days”
“Burma Sahib”, by Paul Theroux, fictionalises George Orwell’s Burma years from 1922-27. Orwell’s novel “Burmese Days” does the same. How do they compare? “Burmese Days”
Zelensky/Trump: what next after the Oval Office car crash?
Zelensky/Trump: what exactly happened in the Oval Office on 28 February? What might happen next? Just over two weeks ago, President Trump rocked Europe by
Russia and Ukraine 3 years on: what next?
President Trump has rocked Europe by starting talks with Moscow. What next for Russia and Ukraine 3 years on?
Book tour: My #AustroScottishBookTour
What’s a book tour really like? My January 2025 tour around Austria and Scotland was full of sofa-beds, train rides and kindness.
My upcoming talks and a writing course
Book talks and courses are always in preparation. A 10% discount is now available. This post was updated in mid-May 2025.
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