What happens when we get an invoice for the damage we do to ourselves? — Aged five I had my first real encounter with the much-praised health system in Cuba. My parents rushed me to A&E one night after I complained of having a sharp pain in my stomach. I was discharged the same night. The physician who saw me said I had “nothing more…

Practical, no-nonsense, and achievable tips — Inspiration for a writer is key to developing new ideas. Also key is keeping our perspiration to a minimum. Joking aside, when I write I seek spiritual and mental stimulation from a variety of sources such as: fiction and nonfiction, the natural world, and interactions with other people. One of…

Playing with light and shadow at Havana University — Music, condoms, and booze. You could be forgiven for thinking this is the opening sentence or chapter of a priapic, septuagenarian rock god’s memoir (perhaps not the condoms. As we all know they weren’t keen on “skins” back then). But it isn’t. …

The Cuban capital is a hotbed of urban creativity — I know that the Street Art Challenge has come and gone. But, I’ve just returned from Havana and could not pass up the opportunity to share some of the excellent artwork I saw on the streets of my hometown with my fellow ‘trotters. Most of the photos below were taken…

A trip back home unearths long-dormant nostalgia-tinted memories — A light-gold sky announced itself as we rubbed our eyes. We were jet-lagged, but happy. We had arrived in Havana the night before, after a twelve- or thirteen-hour trip via Paris. This was our first morning in the Cuban capital and shortly after six in the morning we decided walk…

Time to take a break from writing — In the next few days you will notice that there will be fewer posts and comments from me. I’m not leaving Medium. I’ll be just recharging my batteries. I’ve been writing non-stop on this forum for more than seven years now (averaging a couple of posts per week, occasionally more)…

A long overdue encounter with Jacob —

North, south, east, or west. Wherever I turn, I’m surrounded by stunning images — As someone who lives north of the river, my writing focuses mainly on north, northeast and east London. But I do visit other parts of the British capital. This time this column starts west, on Portobello Road, a place that holds many happy memories for me. …

The Golden Lane Estate: angles, angles, and still, more angles — I don’t like brutalist architecture. The Barbican? I don’t like it, Sam-I-Am, I don’t like the Bar-bi-can! With full apologies to Dr. Seuss. Joking aside, brutalist design leaves me cold. Those familiar with my musings on Medium have been exposed to my rants on this branch of architecture, so popular…