True Grit and Tarmac
A cycle tour in Sweden & Norway in 1963
A Cycle Tour in Sweden and Norway, 1963 I recently retrieved from the back of a drawer a small notebook with a blue cover. I knew it was there – I’ve had it since 1963 – but I’ve only rarely … Continue reading →
This novel is set in present-day Moscow and evokes a believable atmosphere of smouldering and pervasive corruption. Some reviewers have found the plot dull and predictable, but I prefer to say that the story develops with slow inevitability as the … Continue reading →
Gallery
Coast north of Port de Sóller Saturday 22 October Our last day, and we decided to explore the coast the other (northern) side of the Port. A final ride on the tram took us down to the start. A steep … Continue reading →
South of Port de Sóller Friday 21 October Almost all the bus services on Mallorca radiate from Palma but there is one service which follows the mountain road, running from Port de Sóller and Sóller via the popular walking areas … Continue reading →
Mirador de ses Barques & Bàlitx Thursday 20 October Encouraged by yesterday’s walk we decided to try another route starting with a good uphill section. The Mirador de ses Barques is actually just off the main road, but you can … Continue reading →
Sóller to Deià Wednesday 19 October With both of us feeling stronger we decided to follow the popular route from Sóller to Deià. There are actually two established routes: we opted for the higher path rather than the lower. Our … Continue reading →
First some explanation. The plans we had for scaling the 1000m heights and striding along the high ridges of the Serra de Tramuntana had had to be scaled down. Two weeks before we set off Jonathan phoned to say he’d … Continue reading →
Sóller Monday 17 October The idea was for Jonathan and me to go for a walking holiday in October. Somewhere with a good chance of fine weather, comfortable accommodation, and with interesting but not too strenuous scenery. The hilly part … Continue reading →
I regret to say that I don’t think this book is worthy of the Man Booker prize it won in 2008. I can only think it superficially ticked enough boxes to persuade the judges – first novel, non-white, non-English author, … Continue reading →