“From feudal serf to spender, this wonderful world of purchase power” – Manic Street Preachers. Sark – Europe’s Last Feudal State Sark is one of the coolest and most mindblowing places I have ever backpacked to. This is a mini country with its own island(s), borders, laws, prison, pub and even an international football team.…
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“You’ve been stealing from the thieves, and you got caught” – Paul Hewson. Life since I left my hometown in 2003 (15 Wacaday years now) hasn’t always been completely travel travel travel. In fact there were two occasions when I owned a car (2000 – 2009, and again for 7 months of 2010) and a…
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“We got a love that ain’t got no name. We kiss our love with lips like pain. I said Oh Ho” – Brett Anderson (Suede). OK so…on my travels I often told this story to people who were somehow fascinated. But now, almost 8 years on, it’s not such a fantasy or a dream any…
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“Come eat tomatoes with me, sing me something new” – Vicky Everitt (1997). I took some of this story out of my upcoming book to share it on my blog today… Oh Vicky, I have no idea if you’ll remember me or not. But you left your mark on this nomadic Northern Irishman back in…
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I had to double check the mirror time and time again. Spots were growing at a huge rate. I felt OK inside, I wasn’t ill and mentally I was fine. But externally, on the crazy border crossing from The Gambia to Senegal, I had somehow got about 30 – 40 small spots on my forehead.…
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“Out comes the goalkeeper [Rinat Dasaev no less]. Nat too sure this time. And it’s a goal! Terry Moore taking the credit for that” – Northern Irish commentator (1988) commenting on the night Glentoran were 1-0 up and just a goal away from taking the mighty Spartak Moscow to extra time in Belfast City. My…
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Before I tell the story of the day I worked in 2 continents within 24 hours, let me tell you that I know this isn’t cool, or rare, or unique, or even special. I’m aware of that – every day of the week people work in 2continents sometimes even 3…think of the man who has…
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“No regrets, they don’t work” – Robbie Williams Ok so the story goes, in 2001, I started working for the Halifax, which was then a Building Society and later became a bank as part of the Halifax Bank of Scotland. It’s well known in the UK – the Halifax Bank. If you read a story…
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It’s not everyday you meet a hero. While nonchalantly backpacking on the west coast of the country, I met the “Hero of Israel” in Haifa, or at least the brother and media guy for the hero of Israel. It was all a bit confusing and odd, and in Hebrew. But I got a kind of…
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“Travel blogging killed a radio star” – lyric alteration from the Buggles. I’ve always loved radio. Background banter. Something you don’t need to watch while you listen to it. You can do other things and have the football, music or chat show on in the background. I love working on radio. During my teenage years I…
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