Freelance Writer
“Adventure is the discovery of the self, it is both feared and desired.” – Joseph Campbell In these times of restricted movement, it’s good to remember that travel is not just about the places you go. Although unique cultures and natural beauty are worthy of our attention, there is always a common denominator in your experience…
My loop of north-east Vietnam wasn’t my first bike trip, and I was happy that the sum total of my prior experience meant that, if nothing else had been learned over the years, at least on this one I didn’t pack much. Another product of experience revealed itself quite early on, as I became aware…
This is part 6 of a series about a solo motorbike trip I took around north-east Vietnam in December 2018. Each story can be enjoyed alone, and together they form one big over-arching story. It’s about road trips, motorbikes, solo travel and finding yourself on the open road. And of course, it’s about Vietnam. Sign…
This is part 5 of a series of articles about a solo motorbike trip I took around north-east Vietnam in December 2018. Each story can be enjoyed alone, and together they form one big over-arching story. It’s about road trips, motorbikes, solo travel and finding yourself on the open road. And of course, it’s about…
This is part 4 of a series about a solo motorbike trip I took around north-east Vietnam in December 2018. Each story can be enjoyed alone, and together they form one big over-arching story. It’s about road trips, motorbikes, solo travel and finding yourself on the open road. And of course, it’s about Vietnam. Sign…
This is part 3 of a series about a solo motorbike trip I took around north-east Vietnam in December 2018. Each story can be enjoyed alone, and together they form one big over-arching story. It’s about road trips, motorbikes, solo travel and finding yourself on the open road. And of course, it’s about Vietnam. Sign…
The view from my homestay in Pác Ngòi village, Bắc Kạn province, Vietnam. The southern edge of Ba Bể Lake is visible in the background This is part 2 of a series about a solo motorbike trip I took around north-east Vietnam in December 2018. Each story can be enjoyed alone, and together they form…
Roundstone, Co. Galway, Ireland, where Tim Robinson lived for 40 years. It would be the base from which he mapped out Connemara, the Aran Islands and the Burren. Photo by Nick Kane on Unsplash Originally published on Substack 8th November 2020 This week’s book isn’t an historical favourite, but in line with a more traditional book club discussion,…
“I feed the pigeons, I sometimes feed the sparrows too, it gives me a sense of ENORMOUS well-being” – Blur – Parklife A momentary burst whips my attention, particles dispersing in a brief explosion before returning to their centre as if pulled back by the sharp inhale of gravity or a length of bungee cord.…
Not every day can be like this, unfortunately. Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. We are still locked down and Claremorris hasn’t drifted any further towards the sea, so I’m still reminiscing on pre-Level 5 surfing days. The sunny respite today from this strange series of storms reminds me of one of my last day’s…