The service taxi - a kind of small minibus used throughout Syria in place of public transport - was not being driven in a way its designers intended. The dirt road through Aleppo provence in northern Syria was, itself, dangerous enough for me to look at my white knuckles on the back of the driver's seat and let out a barely stifled scream. I had already trusted the driver with my life while … [Read more...] about War Games
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Syria – The Writing on the Wall
The walk through no man's land at the Killis/Azaz border crossing had me blinking through sweat at my dusty surroundings. We had just watched the Hayat Convoy for Syria successfully pass through, laden with aid not bound for Damacus, but heading to be distributed from Azaz. We were in Free Syria now - as opposed to regime controlled Syria - and this unofficial entry would keep the aid, and us, … [Read more...] about Syria – The Writing on the Wall
013 – Drink in Britain’s oldest pub
I understand that it may be impossible to identify beyond a shadow of a doubt where Britain's oldest pub actually is as there are so many Inns and ale houses laying stake to the claim. And as you can imagine, acquiring the label 'Oldest Ale House in Britain' is great PR. But after a good chunk of ever-so-reliable internet research I chose to visit The Old Ferry Boat Inn in Hollywell, near St … [Read more...] about 013 – Drink in Britain’s oldest pub
Under The Knife
I hadn't gone into the operating theatre yesterday with the intention of tweeting my operation. Initially I just wanted to interview the Surgeon mid op. Before I continue I must apologise. I'm writing this while under the influence. Painkillers. Powerful ones. Last night I underwent an operation to fix an inguinal hernia. You can get them at any age and I was surprised to find out many of my … [Read more...] about Under The Knife
Serendipity Lives Here
ser·en·dip·i·ty/ˌserənˈdipitē/ The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way: "a fortunate stroke of serendipity". Just like Aleks Krotoski in her BBC Radio4 series The Digital Human, I've been fascinated with Serendipity for a good chunk of my life. I don't remember the first time I ever heard the word, but I do remember the first time it's meaning was … [Read more...] about Serendipity Lives Here