Image from Pixabay Winchester. Wintanceaster to the Saxons. Venta Belgarum to the Romans before them. Famous for its cathedral (one of the largest in northern Europe), Winchester College, a 700 year old public school, and as King Alfred’s capital – the future first capital of a united England. Of course, above all, we know it as the place where Ade threw outrageous New Year’s Eve parties while we were students together. This was meant to act as an introduction to the starting

Illustration by Arthur Rackham, 1867-1939 (image sourced from Prawny on Pixabay) For those of you reading who are unaware, next Saturday, the 12th September, my brother and I will begin walking the Pilgrims' Way to raise money for charity (there's a link at the end of the article if you would like to contribute). You may be even less aware of the context for the trip. Why this route? Why this charity? Why now? So, I'd like to take a moment to explain. I had had the idea of wa

"Dear Old Moon" - Gordon Browne (1858-1942); via Old Book Illustrations 2007-2026 I see you again From behind the glass But only for a short while More than anything do I want to join you To hug you To dance with you To mingle your fingers with mine To love across your days and nights again But you aren't looking back You don’t know to And in the end, it's only a moment Like shades passing under lamplight I alone can see My damp handprint will linger a little longer On the g

Taipa is a whole other island, gained later by Portugal similar to the New Territories in Hong Kong by Britain. So much is crammed into so small a space that somehow just manages to fit, especially with regards to the Rua do Cunha and surrounding Taipa Village. It looks like a small area on a map, but the attractions within and around it can quickly eat up an afternoon. Again, I have Daisy to thank for helping me see more of the city than I ever would have by myself, and for

Like Moby Dick, Miss Willy has taunted me for years. At the extreme southern tip of Hong Kong Island, she is just out of the way enough to require some intention to visit. Fortunately, I finally found the force of will to go (23rd June) before I g o (29th June). I knew the peninsula wouldn't be hard to follow – the hike would not be more difficult than following a small road until it reached the sea. I’ve always been unsure how to pronounce the name. Perhaps someone will exp

'House of a Chinese merchant, near Canton.' - Allom, Thomas; Old Book Illustrations 2007-2026 Forever Foreigner I am bad at Cantonese Just over three years, it's been Since I started learning. Has it really been three years? Four pairs of jeans I’ve gone through Before remembering the word fu Because flowers so similar And you know one of them is called a fa But I don't remember simple things Like if, or pull, or same, or bring And that's so damn disheartening To think that b

My understanding of Macau before I arrived was that it was a former Portuguese colony and a gambling destination. On arrival, one of these seemed to vastly outstrip the other. On reflection, I would argue that preservation is a quieter activity that is easily overshadowed. Before I even discuss the city, I must advise you not to take the ferry to Macau. I was recommended it because the bridge was meant to be boring, but all I saw through the frosted windows was a choppy sea t

First plate from Rethel's "Yet Another Dance of Death." - Rethel, Alfred 1816-1859; via Old Book Illustrations (2007-2026) Everything is a distraction. Anything anyone does is to waste time before the end. We help the sick; Go to space; Create intelligence from rock dust; Create unfair games and kill each other To change them century after century. Why, when we die? I brush my teeth; Work out; Fall in love; Carry coins in my pocket; Sit at a desk and tell myself things need t

On Lamma Island, things take a long time to change. People are content with the equilibrium between expat and local, land and sea, and as such there is little appetite for change. In fact, it is likely the reason the island remains as popular as it is for people – particularly westerners – looking to escape the city. I first wrote about Lamma Island in my very first travel diary, all the way back in 2017. I was almost out of money after the aborted six month stay in the Car