Portugal
We spent most of our time in Lisbon, which was fabulous. Just really pleasant and scenic, with its harbour and the amazing Cristo Rey statue overlooking all. (I’d like to see the much larger one in Brazil someday.) The Portuguese … Continue reading
Morocco
This was a somewhat challenging place to backpack around. Lots to see, but dealing with the locals was sometimes trying. Like everywhere, most people are basically nice and well-intentioned, but the cultural and language gaps are wide. At least I … Continue reading
Gibraltar
It’s a great big rock off the corner of Spain with monkeys on it, with an incongruous little pseudo-English town at the foot of it. Continue reading
Spain
Top ten things about Spain: cheap shoes, hot chocolate, churros, jamon, jamon, jamon, jamon, jamon, jamon and jamon. And lots of other things really. We were there in Holy Week, meaning there were Catholic processions everywhere – some were like … Continue reading
Reading — England
The first stop on the Bennett and Jo World Tour.Miserable weather (well, this is England) but marvellous hospitality from Liz and Simon. Continue reading
Mulholland Drive
A mind-bending film. Lots of funny little David Lynch-isms to keep you amused – I liked Angelo Badalamenti as the Coffee Nazi. And lots of fun to sit around after wards and figure out how it all fits together. Link … Continue reading
The Man Who Wasn’t There
What a great film. What a great performance from Billy Bob Thornton. What great cinematography. And what a strange ending. Link to website Continue reading
Empyrean Islands — Herbie Hancock
I find it difficult to get into jazz because, well, there’s so much of it. So thanks to Justin for turning me on to this groovy piece of plastic. It’s slow, funky and really interesting to listen to and absorb. … Continue reading
A Closed Book — Gilbert Adair
The air of menace isn’t as, well, menacing as I would have liked, and there are a few implausible plot points. But the different voices in the book work well together, even if things get a bit banal towards the … Continue reading
I’m Waking Up to Us — Belle & Sebastian
Another melodic pop gem from Belle & Sebastian. Not much more to say about it other than that it’s not as good as the previous one, Jonathan David, but it’s still stellar. Link to website Continue reading