Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

This is a famous pipe retreat. I remember someone telling me a story about Sandy Townsley, of the well-known tinker family in Kintyre, who made some money by playing the pipes at fairs. Having drink taken, he struggled through a … Continue reading →

Woman like long neck bottles And a big head on her beer I don’t like to talk about my women But I hold that woman dear. Likewise I do not like talking about my work but er here goes. These last … Continue reading →

So I recently turned 60. This heap big deal in Japan.  5 x 12 year cycle = 60. This is year of dragon which is also strong juju. You dress in red cos you are like reborn and thus besmirched … Continue reading →

Little blog activity due to much other activity. Is there an inverse relationship between business and bloginess? Do more – blog less? So let’s try to catch up. Alan, my much beloved eldest brother came on a flying visit.  I … Continue reading →

I can’t remember if I have gone on about this before but I increasingly think that just visiting a country in fact  tends to  reinforce pre-established judgements. You see what you expect to see and go home with stronger conviction. … Continue reading →

Yesterday I got my annual car tax bill.  This is what it looks like.

It is Sunday. The weather is perfect. I get up early and go diving with the neighbors. It is perfect. I go to buy bread at the amazing bakery next to my flat. I go for a walk down a … Continue reading →

The famous legend of the King Robert the Bruce of Scotland depicts a spider as a symbol for hope. Historians are unsure of the legend’s truth and agree that it is probably apocryphal, but in the legend Bruce, when fighting the English, … Continue reading →

So after 2 weeks of pretty intensive traveling, tight schedules, house selling, tax negotiations, Web stuff, conference committees, receptions with, you know, important people, visits to first division journalistic players, seeing my mummy who is 89, seeing my brother and … Continue reading →

Bonnie was a very brave and faithful little dog who had a tragic end to her life. She is buried in a beautiful place, which I visited on my recent trip to France. God bless you Bonnie.