October 14th, 2011
Would I mind if they had breakfast under the gazebo? I hesitated. Then explained I’d rather not have my tent contaminated with food odours. Not in bear country. Better to be safe than sorry, quickly adding I’d soon be taking it down. I felt a bit embarrassed, for it wasn’t my gazebo after all and could quite appreciate the desire to be under cover. I’d merely commandeered the place for the night, albeit with permission from the campground’s manager.
Jennifer seemed to appreciate my dilemma, quickly adding they wouldn’t actually be cooking anything. Rather, they just wanted to enjoy breakfast in the dry. I felt relieved. The initial awkwardness over, she and partner Ed invited me to share some fresh bread with them. Local bakery, some sort of co-operative that gave employment to those who’d otherwise struggle to find it.
They were from Seattle, making a short foray into British Columbia. Camping mostly. Jennifer had forged a career in the voluntary sector, working for various Non-Governmental Organisations. Of late helping them develop a social media presence. I gave her one of my cards, curious to know what she’d make of my own efforts.
Tags: Facebook, Hazelton
Posted in Canada | No Comments »
March 30th, 2011
If you’ve been following me on Facebook you may have spotted I’m quite fond of posting short "What’s on your mind" entries. Tough. Brevity doesn’t come easy for me. Nor does political correctness. Careful though not to cause offence. Aware that not everyone’s a fan of social media, a few of my favourite ramblings are reproduced below. Enjoy.
"Wondering how koalas mate? Asleep most of the day, stoned out of their tiny minds when actually awake. It’s not as if they live on an inner city council estate…"
"Never mind the traffic on Queensland’s roads, it’s the dead, bloated cane toads you have to look out for. Explode when you run over them. Not funny. Especially when you don’t have a front mudguard"
"Bit of a Charlie Sheen moment. But without the wild parties, wanton women and all the other Hollywood excesses. Instead I’d simply given a frank interview to a local TV station. Admitted I was "nuts". Suppose I’d better check into re-hab."
"Tully, Mission Beach, Cardwell. Devastated by Cyclone Yasi. Now submerged by swollen rivers. Compounded by an outbreak of Dengue Fever. Sounds like a cue for a Royal visit. I’ll look out for the bunting."
"Australian English. For all its close similarity to The Queen’s English, there are a few pitfalls. Try asking for rooting compost in a garden centre. Only to find yourself directed to the nearest chemist. Presuming you’re after organic Viagra. And firm marrows."
If you do want to follow me on Facebook, click on the link on my website homepage.
Tags: Facebook, humour, postings
Posted in Australia | No Comments »
November 28th, 2010
And now for…. a message for friends following on Facebook. Alas, the website is blocked in mainland China so, as you might imagine, access can be a bit tricky!
In practice this means that, courtesy of an overseas third party, I can respond to "Friends Requests" – bit sporadic I admit – but replying to your messages will have to wait until I reach Hong Kong. And the blog posts? That’s an automated feed direct from my website.
Please be patient – am really looking forward to reconnecting with everyone fairly soon!
Tags: Facebook
Posted in China, Hong Kong | No Comments »
August 4th, 2010
Good news first. For those of you who follow the exploits of Emma, my trusty steed, and I on Facebook, you’ll continue to see all the posts pop up. However, for now at least, I’ll not be able to add photos or, alas, reply to any of your messages or comments. Please be patient. And you can always see my images of China on my own website – just click here.
The so-called "Great Firewall of China" preventing access to Facebook? Looks like it, but whether that extends right across the country I’m not sure. But, to be fair, my day-to-day use of the internet hasn’t exactly been frustrated. On the contrary, web access is easier, more prevalent here, than in much of Central Asia. This is a connected nation.
Enough from the editor. Better to return to trying to fathom out what exactly the requirement is to register your place of residence with the Police "within twenty four hours". Just once, or every time you move on? And how that works with a tent. Over half a million British citizens visit China every year, and countless other nationalities, so you’d think a clear answer would be easy to come by….
Tags: Facebook, firewall, internet, photos
Posted in China, Kazakhstan | No Comments »
April 11th, 2010
Spring. It was good to be back on the road, driving hard along the old Silk Road from Trabzon into Georgia and the Caucasus. No sign of the camels, but lots of Turkish lorries so I kept my eye out for large road kill. Emma and I felt refreshed, the same, we thought, that could be said of our website www.acrosscontinents.org.
Lots of fresh, new content. More videos – with the obligatory shades and mug of tea of course, radio interviews, photos, even a map of my intended route through the Caucasus and the ’Stans. And more to come – Bishkek beckons!
If you’ve not already done so, you can sign up for for automatic blog updates, delivered straight to your e-mail account – click on blog, enter your e-mail address and press ’Subscribe’ – simple. Or join me on Facebook – link on my home page – lots of fresh content there as well. And to find out more about the UK charity, The Outward Bound Trust, I’m raising funds for, either follow the links on my own site, or just click here.
Tags: Caucasus, Facebook, Fund-raising, Georgia, Silk Roads, Subscription, The Outward Bound Trust, turkey
Posted in The Caucasus | No Comments »
