Latest Posts

Analysis

Carbon neutral year? Well, lower carbon at least

I like to consider myself as being reasonably environmentally friendly but I’ve not been as systematic about it as I might have been until now. So 2008 I’m going to do better… All electricity at home is green electricity, supplied by Lampiris and I have a smart electricity meter to […]

Analysis

The unique challenge of a Belgian junction

Belgium is one of the last places where the priorité à droite rule still applies to traffic (more from Marko and Expatica) – i.e. when on any road you should give priority to traffic joining from the right. If you’re on a major thoroughfare and there’s a piddling side-road to […]

Analysis, United Kingdom

Eurostar grandeur

My Eurostar leans into a curve as the twinkling lights of Calais disappear into the distance, accelerating into northern France. With the dark of an autumn evening outside the window only the dull reverberations of the air on the carriage walls convey the impression of speed. Yet only forty-five minutes […]

Quick takes, United Kingdom

The 0805 to St Pancras International

I was on it – the first ever 0805 Eurostar train from Brussels Midi to London St Pancras International on 15th November, the 2nd day of operation of the new high speed line. The line itself is relatively unexciting – a quick dip in a tunnel under the Thames at […]

Analysis

Good Dutch design, so I’m set for stylish cycling

It’s been a long search (see this post for all the links), but I reckon I have now managed to find the best cycle pannier bag anywhere in Europe – the Basil Preston office bag, aubergine. I don’t think the picture here really does it justice. Basil is a Dutch […]