Tag Archives: Britain
Elegy for gentrification. Yes, you read it right.
There are a few words as laden with meanings, almost entirely of negative connotation, as gentrification. Say it and your mind will conjure images of invading toffs, an irresistible volkswanderung of genteel professionals with no fear but for white carbs, descending … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, UK
Tagged Amazon, Britain, Canal, Canal boat, City of London, Decay, Europe, Gentrification, Harry Potter, Houseboat, JK Rowling, Kings Cross, KX, London, Photography, Platform 9 3/4, Pollinator, Punk, Renovation, Review, Skip Garden, Sky, Station, Street photography, Summer, Toffs, Tourism, Train, Travel, UAL, UK, University, Urban decay, Urban photography, Waitrose, Wimbledon
17 Comments
The years of commuting dangerously. Excerpts of life in Transport for London’s hands.
Like everyone else, I use social media to share utter gibberish (think penguins slapping each other, Russian drivers’ antics, Economist articles) and moan. My social media of choice is Facebook and the primary objective of my tirades, the exclusive subjective … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, London, Odd ones out, Public Transportation, Random memories, UK
Tagged Britain, Commuting, Disruption, Facebook, Piccadilly Line, Signal Failure, Strike, TfL, Transport for London, Tube, UK
14 Comments
After the daytrippers have gone.
It never ceases to amaze me how much a place can change depending on the weather. Take, for instance, Nuwara Eliya: I arrive under a glorious sunshine and an air so gleaming with light that you’d be excused for trying … Continue reading
Posted in Asia, Sri Lanka
Tagged Asia, Britain, Buddhism, Ceylon, Colonialism, Glorious dead, Hill country, Horse, Nuwara Eliya, Poverty, Sri Lanka, Tea, Tea Plantation
10 Comments
Sri Lankan trains.
To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches and rivers – In fact, to see life Agatha Christie There’s something special about the very act of boarding a train. For starters, it’s a lot … Continue reading
Posted in Asia, Sri Lanka
Tagged 2004 tsunami, Asia, Britain, Colombo, Colombo Fort, Ella, Galle, Galle Fort, Hill country, India, Nanu Oya, Rail, Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan railways, Tea, Tea Plantation, Train, Train travel
14 Comments
Brexit: if you’re a masochist, it’s the real deal (Part 2).
In my previous instalment, I tried to address a few common misconceptions around the EU; in this one I’ll try and have a look at the three main scenarios that the UK could follow should it decide to secede from … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Reflections
Tagged Boris Johnson, Brexit, Britain, Brussells, Bruxelles, David Cameron, EEA, EFTA, EU, EurLex, European Union, Eurostat, Federica Mogherini, Immigration, InFact, Nigel Farage, Norway, Office for National statistics, Politics, Referendum, Switzerland, United Kingdom
2 Comments
Brexit? If you’re a masochist, it’s the real deal (Part 1).
This time last year we were all panicking about a possible Scottish secession, something that surely appealed to Braveheart fans, but didn’t make sense under any other point of view. This year it’s Brexit and, since work has sort of killed … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, Odd ones out, Politics, Reflections
Tagged Boris Johnson, Brexit, Britain, Brusells, Bruxelles, David Cameron, EU, EurLex, European Union, Eurostat, Federica Mogherini, Immigration, InFact, Nigel Farage, Office for National statistics, Politics, Referendum, United Kingdom
2 Comments
Silence, Japanese gardens and peacocks.
I love Saturday mornings. Quoting freely from Stephen King, they have an air of unexpressed potential, something close to the first day of the summer school holidays: the working week is just gone and all that unfolds ahead is two … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, London, UK
Tagged Britain, Chiswick, England, Fukushima, Fukushima garden, Holland House, Holland park, Japan, Japanese Garden, Kyoto garden, London, Orangery, Park, Peacock, Shepherd's Bush, UK
97 Comments
Under the gurdwara dome: a walk through Southall, London
If you were to be parachuted anywhere in London, outside the ring described by the Circle Line, I’m sure that you’d have a tough time understanding where you have landed. With a few notable exceptions where natural features – rivers, … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, London, UK
Tagged Britain, British Airways, British National Party, Economic growth, Gurdwara, London, Mosque, Race riot, Sikh, Southall, UK, United Kingdom, West London, White flight
2 Comments
A new, 200 years old, idea: bringing gin distillation back to London.
Disclaimer: this post describes a visit to a gin distillery in London whose name, location and products are named more than once. It isn’t a product placement and I have not been paid or remunerated to publish this post. In … Continue reading
Britain’s definitely lost it.
Despite all the economic good news, I’ve since long had a feeling that Britain was losing the plot. First you have the cases of hate preachers left undisturbed for years, free to brainwash youngsters into joining IS in Syria or … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, London, UK
Tagged Black friday, Britain, Britain has lost the plot, London, Madness, UK
1 Comment
