“A desk is no place to think on a large scale”. (Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking) “An absolute new prospect is a great happiness, and I can still get this any afternoon. Two or three hours´walking will carry me to as strange a country as I expect ever to see. A single farmhouse which I had… Continue reading The Backyard Tourist
Month: January 2016
A scent of Indian pine
Landschlacht, Switzerland: 30 January 2016 As I age I am beginning to notice my mind functioning increasingly odd. I can be at home or work and be walking from one room to another and forget why I made that decision to change rooms. Yet I can be doing a normal, average activity and something or… Continue reading A scent of Indian pine
The future: Older dog, newer tricks
Winterthur, Switzerland: 26 January 2016 Generally speaking I am not a fan of natural museums, for they often seem to me to be: well, unnatural. “On the Mounted Animal Nature Trail, you’ll be sure to see All Mother Nature’s favourite pets, all sitting rigidly. They’re never hungry any more, their last meal left them stuffed.… Continue reading The future: Older dog, newer tricks
Timely sensations of sex in the city
Winterthur, Switzerland: 26 January 2016 I have very little experience of Winterthur as a tourist as I work as a teacher here twice a week. Ute, my wife, is constantly complaining that I need to get out more and acquire some culture in my life. And whenever she is at home I allow her to drag… Continue reading Timely sensations of sex in the city
Viennese, Down Under
Triesenberg, Liechtenstein: 25 January 2016 There is an 11-hour time zone difference between Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, and Canberra, the capital of Australia. So while I was discovering the secrets of this land of the Walser in southern Liechtenstein, Australians were already starting up their barbies for cut lunch and snag while drinking stubbies of beer… Continue reading Viennese, Down Under
Utopia unrealised
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope some day you’ll join us And the world will be as one. Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people sharing all the world. (John Lennon, “Imagine”)… Continue reading Utopia unrealised
Last of the Knights Templar
Triesenberg, Liechtenstein: 25 January 2016 My private student in Winterthur had cancelled his lesson for today, leaving me only my regular lunch-time Cambridge BEC Vantage group in Vaduz. With the wife away in Zürich, with time on my hands and little desire to waste the clear skies and temperate weather, I decide to explore more… Continue reading Last of the Knights Templar
Konstanz: City of Shattered Dreams?
In the two years just passed and in the two years that follow, multitudes of people around the globe commemorate the events of World War 1 (1914 – 1918) that involved 70 million soldiers – 9 million of them killed in action, 7 million civilian casualities, and a conflict that lasted 4 years, 3 months and… Continue reading Konstanz: City of Shattered Dreams?
Where I am
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name And they’re always glad you came You wanna be where you can see our troubles are… Continue reading Where I am
Sick daze
Landschlacht, 22 January 2016 Being married to a German doctor has its advantages and its disadvantages. Because Europeans and their higher educational standards are very demanding and extensive, one can visit a physician in Germany and Switzerland in complete confidence that they probably know what they are talking about should you ever have occasion to need… Continue reading Sick daze