As humans, we’re natural-born story-tellers; let’s share those stories — In the summer of 2018 I undertook a cycle journey that took me almost to the four corners of London. I would later embark on a longer two-wheel-powered trip that took me to farther places, but the one in the summer of 2018 was the one that stuck in my…

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…

How my adopted city helps me reconnect with myself — As soon as Anne Bonfert announced December’s challenge, I knew I wanted to take part. Spirituality is a key part of who I am as a human being, even if I’ve always identified as an atheist, and in the last fifteen years as a humanist. That’s not to say that…

The column for those who like to swing more than one way… foodwise —

An old varieties music hall pirouettes back to life on a wall in east London — Surprises, surprises. London is full of them. Just when you think you know an area well enough, it magics yet another rabbit another out of its sleeve. Or a circus dog, as was the case recently. …

Becoming a castaway in my own city — “Whatever you do don’t say you like travelling! They’ll put you on a plane straight away.” My friends advised me. The plane would have been Angola-bound. The ‘they’ would have been the Cuban army. The year was 1989. I was about to finish my further education. And yet… I’d always…

The column for those who like to swing more than one way… foodwise — What’s the best way to comfort oneself at the end of a long autumn walk and bicycle ride? With a flavour-packed dish of spinach, tomato, and chickpea curry as per the recipe of one of my favourite food writers, Meera Sodha. With quickly-slumping temperatures in London this last fortnight, a…

Make every second, minute, and hour of the day count — For many years my get-up time has been 6am. At the crack of dawn, I’m out of bed and on the floor, ready to start my workout. After that, it’s showertime, breakfast and (these days) a cycle commute. This routine has been the same for more than two decades, but…

The column for those who like to swing more than one way… foodwise —