As the uncle who disappeared for lengthy periods, usually in winter time to India, I was curious about what my very young nephew thought I might be finding in such a place. It may have been his exposure to the enigmatic Scottish poet Ivor Cutler, but he only had to think for a second or […] Read more . .
Over the years I travelled many thousands of miles through India by rail, mostly hauled by diesel engines, but when I first went there, a lot of venerable steam engines were still in daily service, a honeypot for rail enthusiasts and history buffs alike. As is often said, the ‘Golden Age’ is never the present […] Read more . .
The collection of photographs from India, a tiny selection of those I have, is eclectic in nature, as is the country. I spent a total of 7 years in this fascinating, maddening place, adding up all the 3 and 6 month stints working there. The main areas I visited were in the North and West, […] Read more . .
Angioplasty – the sequel So, I hadn’t actually envisaged a rematch with the redoubtable vascular team at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, but time and tide have their effects on the frail human system, and it became clear that I needed more work done. This was evident some while back but our very own pandemic intervened […] Read more . .
Here you can follow links to essays I have written as generally informative pieces for those wanting a greater understanding, now hosted by the Ragged University project, where anyone and everyone can share whatever ideas, experience and expertise with everyone who is curious The Sami, or Lapps by Bob Cranwell The people we call […] Read more . .
In the slightly rising gloom outside I could hear a muffled coughing and grumbling, and the background clatter of hooves on the road nearby. As I had so many times before, I dragged myself out of bed in the dark and tried to wake myself to appear as if I knew what I was doing. […] Read more . .
In response to many questions over the years, I decided to add in this modest collection of things that I have discovered from bitter experience (or helpful mentoring) that can make longer term travel easier for you and for the areas you travel in. I’m hoping that others who see this will contribute their own […] Read more . .
The first book I remember reading that involved travel to far flung locations was one written by an old colonial hand, Fred G Merfield, with the alluring title ‘Gorillas were my Neighbours’. Looking back, I now see it as the memoirs of a casual racist, (amazingly quite acceptable at the time), with caricatures of tribal […] Read more . .
Having spent so many years working in travel, I’ve lost count many years ago of the number of times I’ve left the front door not knowing if I’d ever see, or be seen again by those I care for. Of course, in reality, we all do this, every day, accidents happen, symptoms strike haphazardly and […] Read more . .
Few things have simultaneously puzzled, intrigued, tortured, enraptured, dominated, bedevilled and promised enlightenment and salvation to the hapless human race than religion.
