I got a call last night from a friend who’s about to go to the USA for business, asking me what “bits and pieces” I take with me on my travels. Here’s a list of things I take with me wherever I go: My iPad I no longer travel with a laptop. My…
I’ve owned my Brompton folding bike for about three years now and can’t imagine life without it. I am still surprised and a little embarrassed by how much I love it. I bought it originally because I was fed up with the last part of my daily commute, which involved using the London tube at…
In just a few weeks’ time, thousands of teenagers will be traveling to Japan to attend the World Scout Jamboree. They’ll be flying in groups of around 36 young people, with each group accompanied by four long-suffering and truly wonderful volunteer adult leaders. If you’re one of those teenagers, or one of those adults –…
Arriving in Katmandhu yesterday was as painless as it could possibly be. I was met by John Gully in the immigration hall, handed my passport over to his local agent – and my visa was organised before I could scarcely draw breath. My luggage, which I was rather worried might not have made…
This superb infographic, designed by Rosie Spinks for GOOD Magazine, was then adapted for use on the MoveHub website. The map shows you which countries have the most powerful & least powerful passports in terms of gaining visa-free access to other countries. The United Kingdom, Sweden and Finland top the list with 173 countries granting them visa-free…
Bristol artist Luke Jerram turns Park Street into a water slide! On the 4th May this giant 90m (300ft) water slide was installed on Park Street in Bristol as part of Making Sundays Special and the Bristol Art Weekender. Running from 11am-5pm for one day only, the day was an event for the city to…
If you’re one of the lucky 30,000 young people, or members of the adult international service team, who’ll be attending the next World Scout Jamboree in Japan, you’re probably already fundraising and you may even be getting to know your fellow Unit members. It isn’t too early to start preparing for the culture-shock of…
These have all appeared quietly and unobtrusively across the Tube network in London over recent years, bringing a smile to even the most jaded of commuters. I love them.
I have dual nationality. My mum is Australian; my dad was British. I’m proud of both passports that I carry. But, as several of my acquaintances have pointed out, I am undoubtedly the most Anglo Australian that they know. Aside from the genetic code that ensures that I support Australia at cricket, everything else…
I’ve just spent the last week in Japan. It’s a country that I find fascinating and my Japanese friends are very patient with me as I try to circumnavigate their customs and practices – I will always be a “gaijin”, but they are very welcoming. One evening last week, as a few of us…
