One year of Travellingscrittori

Behind the scenes - let’s dig out some dirt This month is the first anniversary of our travel blog and we thought we'd take time to reflect on our endeavours.  It's also start to think about the new normal after Covid and our travel plans. We generally have a weekly editorial meeting with Gionny in Oz and David in Wales - plays hell with our beauty sleep - but this week we thought we'd...

PicturESK

Chronicle of an unexpected holiday in the town of Esk. The town of Esk is located in southern Queensland and, before late-March, I must admit I had no clue of its existence. Oh well, life is full of surprises and I've always loved a bit of a challenge, as it stimulates my "how to get things un-fucked" creativity. A skill worth a career... Just to set the scene. I was on one of my crazy (as many...

RANDOM RAMBLINGS

Most of us are currently buggered regarding travel.  In my case I am in Wales and last week the UK government announced that anybody trying to leave the country would be fined £5000 for any unauthorised departures. I haven’t seen four of my kids in Spain and France for nearly two years. But that does not qualify. However, travelling to Europe to attend to holiday homes DOES...

The North Pole sucks

Awful moments from a dream trip to hell "The North Pole sucks" is a bit of a strong statement, but I guess I had to sound overly dramatic to get your attention. Stay with me until the end and I guarantee you will be laughing at my expense, in fashionable Travellingscrittori spirit. Greenpeace North Pole 2013 - A picture of the author, taken by Gavin Newman As I've touched upon in my Bio, I...

DODGY TRAVEL TIPS

Hold my beer...watch this! When deciding what title to use for this epistle we discarded DUBIOUS and then DOUBTFUL, both perfectly good adjectives, before realising DODGY was perfect. In our original Code of Misconduct we declared we would not be offering classic travel advice.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTCVQJTipQ4 How to use a hammer Classic tips are really like those self help videos...

THERE REALLY ARE SOME SHIT HOLES ON OUR PLANET

This week’s blog is dedicated to the memory of ex shipmate and activist TED HOOD who recently passed away. He accompanied me to some of the places listed below. He was an all round good bloke and a fun travelling companion. R.I.P Ted. Ted Hood en-route to Antarctica. Typed on Gionny’s objectionable Olivetti Lettera 22 This quote from the really admirable Douglas Adams helps me come to terms...

My top seven from the last twenty years

Time for a break Time has come for a break, after 20 years at Greenpeace. I'm finally having a long service leave, also known as sabbatical, if you live in Europe. As I've got time and the inspiration is flowing, I thought it is time for another "listicle", to help the imagination fly during the infamous COVID-19 era.Expect much more from travellingscrittori.com during the next...

Enhanced travelling companions

A hit parade of travel partners you should avoid at any cost. During our happy sailing days we, Gionny and David, would often pass the time by fantasising about the "Crew from hell" or rather posing the simple question: "Who would you rather NOT have on board with you during a three months ship expedition to Antarctica?" Invariably this was done over a beer or ten. The Arctic Sunrise hits a...

SCOUTING, RESEARCH OR JUST PLAIN SPYING?

Typed on Gionny’s loathsome Olivetti Lettera 22 Scouting, research or just plain spying - I totally identify with that quote – much of my travel back in the day with Greenpeace was justified by; “We’ll need information.”  Oh, I just realised that I left you all hanging at the end of my previous episode (that would be the one entitled TRAVEL ADVICE). What was that mysterious light?...

Brisbane, Brissie and Brisvegas

A Euro-perspective of Queensland's capital city. Ever since I came to Australia, Brisbane has been my City of blinding lights. Only 200Km north from where I live, it's the place where stuff happens and the landscape changes by the day...or night. Brissie - Portrait of the artist as a Lime scooter rider. Welcome to Brisbane For me, there's always been two ways of getting there. Via the M1...