Author: martinjamesphd
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International Teachers Programme & Amsterdam, Jan 2024
The ITP is the most prestigious training for university teachers worldwide so it was a genuine thrill to be a participant. The first of three weeks took place in Brussels. I was delighted to have an opportunity to visit because it’s unlikely I would have done so without a work reason. The programme was bracketed…
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Christmas 2024
Here’s a random selection of pictures from the main Christmas days. It has been a fairly textbook Western Christmas with over-indulgence galore, gifts and warmth. It’s all about the quality of the company though, and I have done well (as always) to keep negative elements away. It’s the simple secret of how I always have…
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Christmas in Sofia
I took this trip a while ago but have been too busy and distracted to get the pics uploaded. Nice to finally have a spare hour, 3 days from Christmas day ’23 no less. It’s been a full on year! Saturday Sunday Monday
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The Home Front @ Christmas
Now the 7th Christmas in the Droitwich house, how quickly it goes by! The house is all set for a calm and fun Christmas. There is a lot of work to be done over the “break” but at least I’ll be doing it in style in my festive grotto.
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Winter Wonderland 2023
I try not to let being busy act as an excuse for not getting out, getting away and doing things. There’s never a good time, there’s never not some “emergency” in need of attention but the world does keep turning if you take a few extra hours to respond to those emails. I am committed…
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Rat Kings & Soldiers, 29th Nov 2023
We’ve all heard the music from the Nutcracker countless times, myself included. I’ve never got around to seeing the ballet though, at least until now. I cannot pretend I am cultured enough to know what was going on but it was a sight worth seeing. It’s only my second ballet, the other was Swan Lake…
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Shropshire Hills & Shrewsbury, 25th & 26th Nov 2023
I got lucky with the weather (at least one day out of two), so the walk portion of the weekend was perfect – cold and crisp but at the same time spectacular. The best thing about Shrewsbury is its natural geography, I’d love to get my kayak over there for a few circuits of the…
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Cambridge & Bicester, 18th & 19th November 2023
Unfortunately I was struck down by a mysterious illness over the weekend, but it was still nice to get across to the best of the ancient university cities. With Christmas not too far away I swung by Bicester Village too. The lighting was very atmospheric. The crowds however undermined my will to live.
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Rediscovering my magic golf touch (and an Exorcism)
I don’t get out much to do novelty activities, in part because I’m not really the type. My home city (well, nearest big city) has much to offer though and I’m trying to get out and about to learn more. I also went to see the new Exorcist movie. It was excellent…
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Ludovico Einaudi live in Birmingham, 18 Oct ’23
No words can describe – in ’23 I have seen two contenders for the world’s greatest living composer. Hans Zimmer’s Manchester show was amazing in June and Ludovico Einaudi simply refused to be upstaged in Birmingham. It started soft and meditative (one man and piano) but after about an hour the strings and other instruments…
Dr Martin James 