Student, athlete, insurance clerk, soldier, roofer, sailor, backpacker, mountain-leader, tour-leader, cow-milker, fish-packer, husband, diplomat, actor, father, house-husband, real-estate agent, corrections officer, probation officer, writer, civil servant, cook.As you can see, I've been a bit of a Jack-of-all-Trades, Master-of-None. I did spend six years in the Royal Navy, and twelve years with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I've had the fortune to travel, live and work in over 65 countries, including three years or more in places like Pakistan, Morocco and New Zealand. Probably the most fun job I've ever had was working as an Adventure Travel Tour Leader - getting paid to visit wonderful places and hike in the mountains!
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March 1995 — Kenya A Fateful Decision I’d been in Africa for nine weeks; two very eventful months. In that relatively short time, I’d already undergone a multitude of emotions, enjoying some incredible highlights and experiencing a range of unfortunate escapades. I’d started in Kenya, flying out to Nairobi on a one-way ticket with a vague plan, a guidebook, and not much else. It wasn’t...
Added 17 Jul 2021 | Category Memoirs | Votes 18 | Avg Score 4.94 | Views 314 | 17 Comments
In the beginning was Chaos. And Chaos detested organisation and structure. He was roguish and full of mischief. Whenever order and logic looked likely to prevail, he would chuckle, wave his divine hand and delight in thwarting such impudence. Exasperated, the other gods sighed. How would the mortals below ever be able to prove themselves with such troublesome interference? It was...
Added 12 Jul 2021 | Category Young Adult | Votes 2 | Avg Score 5 | Views 173 | 2 Comments
It began at sunrise On that Cretan Isle Playful seductive glances From the very first moment By sunset I was caught forever In the weave of your silken net My wild, gorgeous temptress Captured by mischievous eyes Deep sumptuous pools That reeled me in and Fiendishly stole my heart Snared, I never had a chance You chose me, and I was yours My crazy, delightful girl That...
Added 28 Mar 2021 | Category Poetry | Votes 3 | Avg Score 5 | Views 160 | 3 Comments
They had encouraging, cosy names, like The Gnashing Jaws of Death , Terminator, and Oblivion. “If you go in, don’t let go of your paddle! Swim left, away from the wall,” yelled the instructor as we approached. This one was called Morning Glory. Paddling furiously, we entered the rapid, launched into space, and... Bounce! I was in the water. Sucked down, and surrounded by...
Added 16 Oct 2020 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 7 | Avg Score 5 | Views 279 | 7 Comments
Eons ago, when I was young, I lived in submarines. For someone who loves the mountains, it was a silly place to be. I was in an unhealthy space, and close to a nervous breakdown. I spent a lot of time wondering what life was all about. In the end, I decided it didn’t matter. I did, however, come to a conclusion. When I am near the end, and am asked, ‘ Have you done the things you wish...
Added 14 Oct 2020 | Category Musings | Votes 5 | Avg Score 5 | Views 267 | 5 Comments
The supportive and cosy camaraderie accomplished by the ten friendly astronauts on the space ship was an incredible achievement. Floating free inside their distant home, their stories were a celebration of mutual understanding and co-operation for the world to admire....
Added 13 Oct 2020 | Category Micro Fiction | Votes 7 | Avg Score 5 | Views 534 | 7 Comments
A murky Autumn surrounds us, a bleak, plague-ridden Winter fast approaching. What happened to Summer? I hear you ask. Good question. Don’t you remember? We already had it! Pah! When? In Spring, of course. Now, now - don’t get cross. The world is changing. Didn’t you know? The past is done. Is there no hope, then? Ah, do not despair, my friend! For there is always hope. Look...
Added 08 Oct 2020 | Category Poetry | Votes 4 | Avg Score 5 | Views 331 | 3 Comments
December 1999… I awoke about a decade ago, and had continued my exploration of America. I, however, felt an irresistible pull to the south. Unable to fight it and unsure of what awaited me, I found myself in New Orleans. Can blood drain from the face of a vampire? It certainly felt like it. Standing inside the art gallery in New Orleans, I was shocked into immobility, unable to move...
Added 10 May 2021 | Category Drama | Votes 6 | Avg Score 5 | Views 167 | 5 Comments
Damn me, God! I hadn’t meant to kill him — or had I? After wandering the streets for God knows how long, the events continued to swirl inside my head as I struggled to settle upon one emotion. Since the unfortunate incident, I had been racked with hurt, rage, shame and guilt. An innocent tree bore the brunt of my frustration with its trunk stained red from my pounding, bloody fists. My...
Added 04 May 2021 | Category Drama | Votes 5 | Avg Score 5 | Views 156 | 4 Comments
I felt quite good to have ridden the city of a filthy vermin, yet I needed to see my sweet Elizabeth in order to feel more man than beast again. Only the touch of her creamy flesh would expunge the violent death from my hands. I was desperate to see her flawless face before me; it was the only thing that would help erase the sickening vision of the filth I had just eliminated. I need...
Added 25 Apr 2021 | Category Drama | Votes 6 | Avg Score 5 | Views 172 | 5 Comments
The early 1800s ... This time, I settled in Paris, adopting the French derivative of my name — Vincent . With its dense population, narrow streets, and dark crevices, Paris suited my needs perfectly, allowing one such as myself a myriad of places to lurk during these unsettled times. I had grown bored of occupying my time with philosophy and the arts of the Renaissance centuries before....
Added 23 Apr 2021 | Category Drama | Votes 7 | Avg Score 5 | Views 189 | 6 Comments
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