Ayutthaya, Capital of Siam
The Taj Mahal at Dawn
The magic of the Taj Mahal is amplified with a dawn visit. Time it well to be the first person of the day inside, and for a few moments have the place to yourself.
Desperately Seeking Coffee
Exploring the history of coffee - while trying different brews around the world
The Marble Quarries of Carrara
The marble quarries above Carrara have been mined from before the Romans. Both the Roman Forum and Michelangelo’s David used marble from here.
A Traveller Not a Tourist in Rome
Visiting Rome can be exhausting - there is always more to see than time allows. Yet there’s much to do and see away from the usual tourist route, as well as hunting for the perfect coffee.
A Dry Sadness in December
A Dry Sadness in December: a poem from my collection ‘Songs of a Sad Summer’
Cockatoos flash white against grey storm clouds
Which blow away, unspent.
A Garden in Fiesole
Thoughts as I sit in a garden in Fiesole, overlooking Florence
One Morning in Laos
Luang Prabang is a place of cobbled streets and quiet cafes overlooking the Mekong. The (somewhat faded) French colonial charm provides a counterpoint to the old wooden buildings and the innumerable wats, or temples. Every dawn, the monks leave these wats to partake of Tak Bat, a silent offering of food by the locals.
A Deluge of Tears
A poem from my collection Last Tuesday
Soft drops in the heat herald a deluge
The road steams, and the air fills with that earthy smell
Of a summer storm.
Overlooked in Singapore
Singapore may be a tiny island, but there is still a lot to see and do, some of it a little unusual…
Which Side of the Street?
Which side of the footpath to walk on reflects what country I’m in. It doesn’t always follow the road rules, and being jet-lagged never helps.
The Day OF The Triffids
Published in 1951, John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids remains a poet-apocalyptic classic. Written during the tensions of the Cold War, it explores how humanity - and individuals - react when society unexpectedly and suddenly crumbles.
Finding Leonardo in Fiesole
Above Florence is the delightful town of Fiesole, once home to the Etruscans (and a summer retreat for the Medici). In the hills above the town a plaque marks the spot where Leonard, using one of his creations, once tried to fly.
Not in Rome: Diary of A Witch Doctor
When the internet gods think I live in Rome - surely a sign (to be taken whatever way I like…)