About 25 years ago, the term ‘going off grid’ was first used to signify disconnecting from some future network that connected everything to everything, before the internet was what it now is. Almost like a prophecy, it signified people breaking their 24/7 global connection, becoming more local, more connected with what was around you at any given time and less connected to what wasn’t.
Well, things aren’t here for ever so I took some photos of pylons and wood from an old staithe in Trowse. Taking photos of pylons is quite easy, you are on dry land and they don’t move. Taking pictures of wood in a river that you can only see at low tide, when the sun is in a particular position, and the river isn’t moving too much so the canoe doesn’t whizz off, well, that’s a challenge! The webs were from some photos I took on a warm, misty morning in front of the house.
Enjoy the pics.. Read more
Well despite the popular vote, it always looked unlikely that the people at Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) would take the name ‘Boaty McBoatface’ to name their new £200m polar research vessel, so I thought I would TRS Boaty McBoatface II is the name of the new ebay-sourced Trowse Research Ship, who’s purpose is to explore Norfolk and discover and discover the wilds of Norfolk via the waterways. Read more
If there is one thing that really annoys me about the UK is its health and safety nannying. For years, I’ve been going into gastro pubs and restaurants, ordered a burger and asked it to be cook rare or even blue. Time after time I am told the same thing “We can only do it medium, due to health and safety.” Many a time I’ve suggested I could write and sign a disclaimer to say I am prepared to take responsibility for my own risky living, but alas, never has anyone been willing me to take my chances with food that I ask to be cooked in a certain way. Until now..
A few days ago my vicar came back from Sierra Leone and gave a moving talk on what he saw. Whilst the poverty was mind blowing, there was something else that touched me profoundly. That was the abundance of joy and the strong sense of community. Whilst us in the UK have an abundance of material things, it seems to me that we’re very poor when it comes to joy.. Read more
St Thomas in Norwich has seen a massive growth, so as a result has been given a new church to look after, St Albans in Grove Walk Norwich. I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a team that is helping bring life back to the old building, and along the way came across some photos. Built pre-second world war, the building has an interesting history until it’s closure just a few years ago. But Rev Dave Lloyd has some amazing vision for transforming St Albans back to what it once was, a heart of the vibrant community. Here’s some photos from the last 80 or so years. Read more
Alas, this summer has been one of making things. I’ve rediscovered the joy of learning new kills and putting them into practice. here’s some of the things I’ve made and what I’ve learnt along the way.. Read more
At a dinner party recently, a man’s interest in finding a quicker, cheaper more efficient way of getting from A to B was quickly dismissed as ‘too dangerous’ by his partner. Sadly, this kind of response to anything with two wheels and an engine is typical of people’s fears. I fully understand it, because if you come off anything with two wheels (even without an engine) it hurts. So, this little ditty is a message of support for the humble scooter.
One curious thing that many people say about Norwich for the first time, after the great shopping etc, is why on earth are there so many traffic lights in places that really don’t seem to need them. Although a mainly Vespa driver in the city, it is really frustrating even for me to whizz to the front of the many queues for traffic lights and see so little action at the crossing they are there to control.. Read more
A lovely friend of mine lent me a couple of crossbows, and together with my son’s new OnePlusOne camera phone, we managed to capture this video. Dont try this at home.
Out of all the things I experienced in New York it was time spent with a lady called Audrey that left the biggest impact. She’s a true New Yorker who I bumped into and chatted for ages about everything from the difference of Android, Windows and iOS, to her views on the various mayors of New York. She’s one of the 20,000 or so rough sleepers that we would in the UK describe as ‘fallen through the net’. Yet you quickly realise there is no net in New York to fall through. When the money dries out, you fall directly out on to the street. Read more
If all you read is this first paragraph, here’s what I want to say. When I look at the creation/evolution debate at a mature level, creation is a much more rational explanation of the scientific evidence than evolution.
Want to read on? Read more
Many of you (particularly if you live in Trowse, go to Trowse Church or St Thomas in Norwich) have met Stewart. He’s a kind and gentle giant (6 foot 4) of a chap, who’s nickname is appropriately ‘Biggun’. He’s got a fascinating history and wanted to share this with you as it’s a great example how a little help and a welcoming authentic community can change someone’s life. Read more
Remember when you dropped your child off at school for the first time? That little body wobbling through the door of the school door with their bag into a new world for them? It’s a moving time for most parents, but here’s a story about the other end as my son achieves freedom from L-plates, and the joy and what is like to share good stuff with others. Read more
I love the train. Not only do you not generally have to worry about driving, but you are surrounded by strangers which I really love. It’s great to strike up conversations with new people, get a brief glimpse into their lives and share a bit of yours. So on a trip to London on May 1st with my trusty Nokia Lumia 1020 I took the following photos, edited them on the train and here’s the result! Read more
Lovely as it is to travel to distance places for adventures, like the mine visit a while ago – there’s lots of adventures to be had on your doorstep if you look hard enough. Here’s an overnight canoe camping expedition to to an island on a lake close to Trowse.. Read more
Walking on the beach with your dog is a timeless pleasure. To see your dog flashing around and playing with others, meeting complete strangers is a joy. One little bonus is to see a family walking together, and offering to take a picture of them all with their camera. A simple act of kindness to create a treasured reminder of that family’s walk.. Anyway, here’s some pics of my dog Leia on Winterton beach – my favourite walky spot. Read more
As my lovely dog continues to grow but remain as cute as ever, here’s the little girl and what she’s been up to this month. From a long weekend with her best friend Rocky, adventures with Mac, Peter and Frodo. And of course, a new trick or two! Read more
With fellow adventurers and a little idea of where we going, we explored one of Norwich’s many chalk mines near Eaton, south side of Norwich. It was a short but fascinating journey into the history of Norwich that I’ve never had the privilege to see before. With rather a shoddy map to give us some idea of where we were underground, we soon realised the extent of these mines yet amazingly, what a great condition they were in. As you can see from the graffiti, we weren’t the first to be there! Read more