Travel Diaries #7 – Motorbike

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…

Bird-Feeding

“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.…

The Function of Small Talk

Photo by Juri Gianfrancesco on Unsplash Here we go again So we’re facing into the strictest of lockdowns, and it’s just been announced that we’re not allowed to visit each other’s houses. We’re not even allowed (legally? No-one knows) step into our neighbour’s or our friend’s garden. You can practice anything, including being alone. And…

Embracing the Weather

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” – Some guy I’ve only heard this saying recently, even though it sounds like the most Irish thing anyone could ever say. Except, when you think about it, it isn’t, because nobody in Ireland has suitable clothing, and the…