Arras Let us forget about our first nights rest at the Holiday Inn, Arras. It was a natural consequence of our late departure from the shores of England that we finally set foot in France at 11, driving on dark and unbelievably empty roads, taking the wrong turning and ending up in Arras. A lone… Continue reading Africa 2009 – 02 France and Spain
Africa 2009: 01 Romford Road
Delayed and Darwin We’re delayed, as usual. The journey south, however, has begun: I’ve moved from Suffolk to London and historically, in our relationship, I am staying with Barry at 121 Windsor Road, east London. It’s two years since his divorce but still I am a secret, awaiting the delayed (as usual) and extended build… Continue reading Africa 2009: 01 Romford Road
Continual renewal of vision
Alfred Brendel played his farewell performance today, chosing a youthful Mozart piano concerto, K271 in E flat, which he described as "a wonder of the world". What was key to his long success? A journalist replied: Brendel throughout his long life, continually renewed his vision. How to start writing a poem (a book I ordered… Continue reading Continual renewal of vision
Sugata: Closing Shangri-la
September 2008 My dear Sugata All the different times I’ve sat, expectant, in a plan to Norway. My mind, then, diving into the writing of the story or, more recently, warmly reflective of our lasting friendship. Now this: wanting to close and not to return, unsentimentally, coming to do what practically has to be done,… Continue reading Sugata: Closing Shangri-la
The company of cigarettes August 2008
‘I’d just bought my Times newspaper and as I was early I sat on the bench in the sun and had a cigarette. It was after I’d crossed the road to catch the bus that I saw the cherries, reached for my wallet and it was gone. Oh my God. The bus arrived. No time… Continue reading The company of cigarettes August 2008
Oxfordshire
On the day that oil prices soared to $140 a barrel, (a 40% rise this year), inflation moved to above 3% (with dire warnings from Alister Darling of Britain's rising cost of living), I collected my Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 Cabriolet from Essex, and drove down the motorways of middle England to Oxfordshire. It was a… Continue reading Oxfordshire
Sugata: the resolution
28 May 2008 Dear Sugata On the day that the royal family of Nepal leave their pink-hued palace in Kathmandu for the last time, their seven palaces are turned into museums and the queen forced to give up her retinue of beauticians, we three (or is it four?) have found a settlement on your estate,… Continue reading Sugata: the resolution
Kathmandu: Sugata’s final rest
Dear Sugata We were a small gathering coming to see you, half a dozen friends in addition to the two monks and us two. I did not know if it were possible or how it would work inviting the two monks who overlapped your life to both give blessing at the ceremony. ‘No… Continue reading Kathmandu: Sugata’s final rest
Kathmandu: Shiva Puri, Pathupathi, Garden of Dreams
Dear Sugata The full moon is rising on the roof top of the Imperial Hotel, Thamel. Did I tell you we have our old rooms, with Gunilla sleeping in your room? Like you she enjoys sitting out the sun on the flower potted terrace. She has your long legs! Our day is altogether peaceful. You… Continue reading Kathmandu: Shiva Puri, Pathupathi, Garden of Dreams
Kathmandu: Chhairo
Dear Sugata The Chhairo day breaks with a coffee with Fr Greg, who I have grown to love for his candid responses to my emails from Norway, cutting to the quick with his understanding of you and affirming and acknowledging my role, which I needed to hear at the time of shifting ice flows. Fr… Continue reading Kathmandu: Chhairo
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