Tag Archives: Travel
Diplomacy
Tyler Cowen has a great piece up about the art and practice of diplomacy. With this great quote: ” Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice Doggie” until you can find a stick” He goes on to discuss how diplomats … Continue reading
The Ground Zero Mosque debate
I think Ron Paul nails it here: “The justification to ban the mosque is no more rational than banning a soccer field in the same place because all the suicide bombers loved to play soccer.” I am not religious but … Continue reading
Tim Butcher on Henry Morton Stanley
I really enjoy Tim Butcher’s books and now he has written a great piece in the Telegraph about Henry Morton Stanley. Stanley has always been a hero of mine – I even named my son after him! I love his … Continue reading
Best countries in the world?
I read that according to a Newsweek cover story, the ten best countries in the world are: Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Luxembourg, Norway, Canada, Netherlands, Japan and Denmark. I just don’t get it. I can’t be arsed to read the … Continue reading
Texas Toast
I remember when I was travelling in Texas a while back waitresses would always ask: “Do you want Texas Toast with that?” I usually replied in the negative but after being asked a few more times I finally queried what … Continue reading
Robo-farmer
If my arm and back pain doesn’t improve soon I think I am going to need one of these suits: They are being developed for elderly farmers in Japan: Prof. Shigeki Toyama of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology’s Graduate … Continue reading
Tony Blair
I have always liked Tony Blair. His key skill is probably his likeability. I am about half way through Anthony Seldon’s Blair – US link/UK link and am enjoying it greatly. It is not a conventional biography. It’s certainly not … Continue reading
Two Caravans by Marina Lewycka
This is another one I read while in Charing Cross hospital. I had previously read and loved Lewycka’s A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian – US link/ UK link and had been looking forwards to Two Caravans – US … Continue reading
Russia as post conflict nation
The Cold War was won by one side only. And the losing side, like every other in history, had its countryside scorched, its gold plundered, its men forced to dig ditches in foreign countries, its women conscripted to service to … Continue reading
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
Are you the kind of woman who likes to have gossip with the girlies? Did you love Sex in The City I and II? Are you a “spiritual” person? Do you really believe that Price Charming will soon arrive? If … Continue reading
Stuart Austin 