Northern Ireland's Skeleton in the Closet

I spent every Summer of my childhood in Northern Ireland. I have a lot of fond memories of those summers; fishing, swimming, walking and, later, enjoying the 'craic' into the early hours. I also have not so good memories; watching a cloud of smoke rise from yet another bomb in the center of Belfast as our boat docked, families destroyed forever by the Enniskillen memorial day bombing and heated debates about the future of the province.

I revisited Ireland two weeks ago to attend the funeral of my Grandmother. I was surprised by how much had changed in the last decade since the Good Friday Agreement and the peace that followed it. But I also saw how much hadn't changed too. Fierce nationalism, stoic patriotism and religion continues to be a divisive issue. I can't quite believe that the majority of schools still segregate protestants and Catholics.

So it was with a very heavy heart I read of the killing of two British soldiers earlier this week, and then the subsequent murder of a PSNI police officer. Politicians of all parties have strongly denounced the murders, but 30 years of conflict in Ulster taught us all that words didn't really deter men with Kalashnikovs.

I can only hope for the people of Northern Ireland that the people who committed these crimes are caught quickly and the bad old days remain in the history books.


Photo: Cavendish Island

Twitter Explained (Or Not!)

I've been an enthusiastic user of Twitter for quite some time, so I really enjoyed this satirical news report on the infamous Daily Show. Enjoy.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Twitter Frenzy

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Gladstone Pottery Museum

We visited the Gladstone Pottery Museum at the weekend. It's the last remaining complete 'bottle kiln' pottery factory in Stoke on Trent. The area is also known as the Potteries due to it's heritage as the home of companies such as Wedgwood, Portmeirion, Spode etc.

The Gladstone factory was saved in the 1970's not because it's special, but because it was typical of the thousands of small factories that existed in the city during the 18th, 19th and early 20th century. It has been carefully preserved and restored so that it provides a fascinating insight into what conditions were like for workers during it's glory days in the late 19th century. Children as young as 7 worked 12 hour days in roasting hot furnaces, women frequently died in their teens of lead or arsenic poisoning and the average life expectancy of a pottery worker was 41. Still think your work is bad?

The process for producing crockery was slow, inefficient, dangerous and unreliable, but the quality of the finished product was remarkably high. The craftsmanship, effort and ingenuity required to create a simple cup or plate amazed me and I now have a totally different view of the china that commands such high prices today. I think if more people understood the manufacturing process for something they take for granted, companies like Wedgwood would face a brighter future than they do today.

I even got to 'throw a pot'. It isn't the best pencil holder you'll ever see, but I'm proud of it!

If you are ever in the area wondering what to do, it was a great day out for the whole family, including grandparents and small children.

Only 42 weeks to go

Here's a quote from a recent story in the Independent about Arsenal striker Eduardo that gives me a lot of hope:

"When Martin Taylor dived in and accidentally shredded Eduardo’s leg at St Andrews on Feb 23, some observers suggested he may never play again. Eduardo had no doubts and his tough personality guaranteed this comeback from a broken fibula and dislocated ankle."

This is the same injury I suffered 9 weeks ago playing hockey. Sadly, this is where the similarity between Eduardo and me ends. If it takes a premier league football player 51 weeks to get back to world class performance, I'm guessing it's going to take me 25.5 weeks to get back to hockey. Is it a coincidence that the hockey season starts on September 1?

(Photo from AP)

Every leaf has a silver lining

It's been cold, really cold, in Stratford upon Avon during the past few weeks. Now that I can semi-walk Hobbes again (he's not impressed by my dawdling snails pace), I'm enjoying the early morning frosts in Shakespeare's park by the river. Here's a couple of pictures I took this morning of the tiny plants that cover the walls surrounding the WW2 memorial garden. Click the pictures to enlarge so that you can see the ice crystals.

I originally hail from Newcastle-under-Lyme, a small town inextricably linked to Stoke-on-Trent, or the 'potteries' as it is known. Situated almost in the middle of England, the local dialect is rather unusual. Whole new words replace those which are used in normal everyday life. An inhabitant of the area, called a "Potter", can pick out a Stoke accent any where in the world, even when others can't pin the accent down. I'm told (by Potters) that the accent and dialect are the closest to traditional olde English anywhere the country. Potters also say that if you have a Stoke accent it is with you forever and is never lost. In my experience, it can be tamed, but never forgotten!

Another way to spot a Potter is in a restaurant. They usually turn over crockery to see where it is made.

Here's some local dialect that was sent in an email to me from my Father. When I read this list, I was genuinely surprised to see that some local words were not Queens English!!

BOW - Ball CHAYSE - Cheese
FOW STAITH - False Teeth GOOSE LOW - Go slow
GRAIN – green GREY NICE - Greenhouse
KIND SLICE - Council house TOW CRATE - Talk Right
MALES – Meals NOW TELL SIN - Nothing else in
CLEMMED - hungary AY UP DUCK - Hello there
RIND ABITE – Roundabout SNAPPIN - Lunch
WAITE – White AFE TARM - the interval in a football match
LEE DITE - Laid out DINE THEER - down there
GOO ITE - go out TOW FATE - at the end of your legs
WOM – Home WOKE - Walk
SUMMAT – Something WOSS - Worse
CONNER- Can't FANGED OWT - Grabbed hold of something
WUNNER' - Won't GIZZIT - Hand it over!
DUNNER - Don't JED - Lifeless
MAR MATE - My mate OMMER - used for hitting Nails
OW AT' - How are you? OWE RATE - Alright
BAY CHUM SPIDERS - Beachams powders WUDST - would you?
WUSTNER – wont HAST - have you?
SNEEPED - offended/upset COST/COSS - can you?
DIDST - did you THEE - You/your
THAY/THEET – you DUST - do you?
DUSTNER – don’t BOST - burst
DINE – down FUNT ITE - found out
OWD MUCKER - old mate LARK - like
NESH - to feel the cold REET COWD - really cold
LOBBY - thick stew CHONNOCK - turnip
PERISHED – cold GANZIE - Jumper/Pullover
AV A LOOK - To look at. NECK END - LONGTON
BOSLEM – BURSLEM TARM - time
MAR LAIDI - The wife/girlfriend FRANKED - Got up late for work
TRASHERS - Old shoes worn in Pot Banks IN TEET - Isn't it?
CUN TEET - couldn't it? GOOIN DINE TINE - Going down to the town
STRAYT - Street (where people live) PEE DEE - Pay Day
AT - Are you?
THAY BOSS TEET - Broken

Chelsea FC

On Saturday, my son made his first pilgrimage to Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea Football Club, for a Premier League game against Stoke City. We have B's Godmother, Helen, to thank for his obsession with the club. He had a fantastic time, so Chelsea FC can welcome another fan to their ranks.

Emma Thompson on the third runway at Heathrow

Bored of the sight of it!

I have enjoyed writing this blog over the past two years because it has become a way for me to share the sights, sounds--sometimes smells--of places near and far. I have written about a lot of different countries, but also about the towns and cities we explore here in the UK.

So you can only imagine how immensely, excruciatingly, infuriatingly dull it is to see the same mind-numbingly dull view every single day. The only variation is the color of the stripe on my sock. Yep, it's zero fun peeking over my laptop at the cast that has become my immovable anchor, the electronic tag that has put me under house arrest. I'm counting down the seconds to the day it is cut off!

Enjoy the view:

Christmas Crackers: Update

As a quick update to my last post, the surgery to my ankle was a complete success. I'm now a little heavier due to the six screws and two plates that are holding my foot to my leg, but it's all back in the right place and ready for mother nature to work her (slow) magic.

I'm having the stitches out of my leg on Sunday, and then I'll be in plaster until February 5th. I then have 6-8 weeks of intense physiotherapy to get the movement and strength back in my right leg. If my past experience of physio's is anything to go by, I'm not looking forward to their 'exercises'!

Long term prospects are "good". The surgeon is confident that I'll be okay, but he doesn't hold out any hopes for my return to competitive field hockey. Sadly, my 20th season will be my last.

A couple of painful Christmas crackers!

This year is my 20th season playing competitive league hockey. I have had a few absences from the game, most notably when I lived in the US, but apart from that, hockey has been a very important and enjoyable part of my life since my early teens. Sadly, after one too many daring tackles, it seems likely that I'll be hanging up my hockey boots for good in 2008.

While playing at Rugby School on Saturday for my team, Stratford upon Avon, I fell in a tackle and dislocated my right foot to such an extent that my toes touched the back of my leg! In the process, I managed to break my tibia, fibula, ankle, shatter a bunch of tarsals and rip all the ligaments that connect my leg to my foot. Yup, I did a darn good job of it.

After a rather speedy ambulance trip to the Accident & Emergency Room of the Warwickshire University Hospital, I had my foot manipulated back into roughly the right position. An x-ray confirmed the surgeon's suspicions that a series of pins, screws and plates would be needed to put it all back together again. Sadly, the rapid swelling meant that the operation could not be done for another 5 days, so I'm back home for Christmas. It's back into hospital on the 27th for theater and then I expect to be out again after a few days. I'll then be in plaster for 6 weeks, followed by a lot of physio.

Now that B has a captive Daddy, I'm petrified what will happen to me next! The photo below is the result of a few minutes of his handy work!

Stratford upon Avon Christmas Lights

The Christmas lights have been switched on in Stratford upon Avon. It's very pretty around town at this time of year. Say hello if you are in the neighbourhood!

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 08

My best bud, the incredibly talented Tom Pietrasik, has started to achieve the recognition he deserves--and will one day soon receive in spades--by obtaining a placement among the finalists of the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery in London. If you are not familiar with the prize, it's a big deal. I'm immensely proud of you, Tom!

Here's a picture of the picture, but you should visit Tom's web site to see his photos in all their glory. Or buy a copy of the FT, Guardian, Times, Telegraph etc etc etc on any given day to see his photos on the front page.

Sydney: Post 6

This is the last post about my brief love affair with Sydney!

These photos were taken on the ferry to Manly, a short hop to a vibrant beach and surf community just 30 minutes away from the center of the city. The harbor is packed with all shapes, sizes and types of boat, especially the racing variety.

Driving north, we saw miles upon miles of beautiful beaches. Incredible!

Sydney: Post 5

During my early morning run in the city, I witnessed an amazing display of flying skill by a helicopter pilot who was lifting air conditioning fans from the street to the top of a skyscraper. The helicopter squeezed itself between the buildings, attached a chain link to the equipment and then slowly lifted it to the top. Standing almost directly underneath it (I didn't realize what a bad idea this was until I watched the video later), the rotor blades were literally just a few feet from touching the sides of the buildings and it was only 50 feet or so from the road. The down-draft was breathtaking and the noise deafening due to the confined space. The Australians must think that cranes are for wimps.

Video of helicopter coming into the street:



Helicopter above the street:


Directly above, connecting to the equipment to be lifted:


Directly above with the equipment, on the way to the roof of the building.

Sydney: Post 4

I read this morning that the Australian government is hoping that the new Baz Lurhmann movie "Australia" will revive it's ailing tourist industry. I was a little surprised that visitor numbers dropped in 2008 on already low numbers in 2007. I'm guessing it's less to do with the country and more to do with the distance/cost of flying. It's a long way and it ain't cheap. But the reward for those that brave the journey are quite amazing.

Here are some more pictures from Saturday, the day I had in the city before I left for London. Sadly, the weather was not so good so the shots look a little dull, but I can guarantee that Sydney is a magificent sight whatever the time of year.

Sydney Opera House.


Video of Darling Harbor.


View of Sydney past the Opera House.


Sydney Harbor Bridge.


Sydney Harbor Bridge with the city and Opera House in the background.

Sydney: Post 3

I think cities sometimes look most spectacular at night. Sydney is no exception. It's skyline is very impressive, especially when lights from the buildings reflect off the remarkably clear, still water in the bay. The full moon lured me into taking this shot.

Sydney: Post 2

For the past five days, I have been ensconced in the press room at the Sydney Convestion Centre in Dean Harbor, Sydney during our biggest event in the region. It's been a fantastic week from a work perspective, especially spending time with my local PR guru, but the toll of Orlando, Cannes and Sydney is starting to take it's toll. The lethal cocktail of Berocca and Red Bull for breakfast no longer does enough to kick-start my brain.

However, I now have a full day before I leave for the monster flight home. I'm going to see how much I can cram into 24 hours......

Here are a couple of pictures from my walks to / from the convention centre. Many more pictures to follow when I have access to faster broadband.

Reflection of Darling Harbor off the Conference Centre:


Some interesting shapes.


I have no idea what this is, but it sits in the centre of the city. Must look it up.

Sydney: Post 1

On the approach into Sydney airport this morning, I had the camera handy and I caught this incredible light effect created by the position of the plane to the sun and cloud. If you look closely (click photo for larger size), you'll see a halo-like rainbow effect and the outline of the plane on the cloud. There's a specific term for this phenomenon - I'll look it up in my cloud spotters book when I get home!

Here's the view of Sydney Harbour from the hotel, including the famous bridge. Boy oh boy, I just adore this city.

Hong Kong: flying visit

The flight to Sydney from London is 23 hours. It's 12 hours to Hong Kong, where I'm currently writing, and then 11 hours to Sydney. Believe me; it hurts.

The last time I visited Hong Kong, I spent a whirlwind 24 hours with my local team and saw a few of the main streets. It's like nowhere else I have ever visited (see my earlier blog post in Feb 2007). This time around, it's just another airport in another country on another timezone. Shame, because this is what awaits just a short train ride away: