Arcticterntalk.org

The blog of a travelling psychiatrist and football lover. Who happens to be a halfway decent photographer. Takes a cynical view of the world

Archive for the tag “travel”

10 Nov 2017
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An hour in Newcastle on Tyne


As with many trips there is never enough time to see a city properly . But if you have an hour just walk down to the quayside area . The choice is walk along the Tyne. Walk over a bridge. There are plenty to choose from.

The lower level bridge is my favourite for no good reason. One is undercover and the smell of urine is not far away. But a few curious aspects. The padlocks are interesting. To read the inscriptions . Compare the different types. Wonder how many of the couples who placed them here are still together?

The views are also good of all the other bridges. When you reach the far side you are in Gateshead. And it does seem as though you have left Newcastle.

This is a great city and a friendly one too. Well worth an hour wandering around

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02 Nov 2017

Berlin in Autumn. Is it worth a visit?


Berlin is a fascinating city with history and architecture to rival any city in the world. The question is given the high prices is it worth a visit in the autumn?

Unfortunately the greatness of the place and the short days with darkness coming from 4.30 pm meant I would not be positive in spending money to come here.

The city was wet and muddy meaning that walking through Tiergarten was not a pleasure . Queues everywhere to get into any historical building and few smiles to be seen. Prices were also expensive. In a small cafe not in a popular area a cheeseburger cost 10€ and a large Americano coffee 5.90€.

In a lesson for other cities though there were few cars to be seen in the city centre.

On the positive side a good transportation system and decent if wet and muddy pedestrian walkways.

Would I return again in autumn? Definitely not. Cities like Riga and Prague offer far more for far less at this time of year .

The street art is not too shabby though tucked away in small side streets.

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26 Oct 2017
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What Exactly Is The Point of C gates at Terminal 5 Heathrow?


While extra runways are the talk of the town there are few comments on the use of Terminal 5 in an effective manner.

Passengers dread the phrase when it appears on the departure screens, B gates or C gates. It always adds 10-15 minutes onto the time needed to reach the gate. The shuttle train is always coming in two minutes which translated this morning into 6 minutes. At least this is multiples of two. Combined with the wait while the ineffective nonsense of the security search is undertaken provides audible sighs and almost visible misery from the waiting passengers.

Today was such a day. A flight to Frankfurt on a 767. Presumably operational reasons dictated a large plane . No issues there. However the striking metric emanating from the departure screen was that only nine flights were departing from the C gates over a six hour period . How can this be effective for anyone? The shops there lie vacant of business with downcast salesmen with no one to sell to. The concourses were totally empty. Surely there must be a better way to use C gates?

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12 Oct 2017
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Gothenburg Harbour . Sunrise and Sunset


The area around the harbour on the south side is essentially a Science park and a Radisson hotel. But at sunrise and sunset it comes to life . A few photographs .

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09 Oct 2017
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Cardiff Street Art. The Dragon Roars


One of the best aspects of street art is the surprise to find it where least expected. A quick nighttime walk around Cardiff was enlightened by finding some dragon street art next to the Millenium Stadium. Sadly only I phone photos in the dark but quite amazing still the same.

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03 Aug 2017

The Giraffe Tree


Here in the Maldives one is unlikely to find any giraffes floating around. The vegetation though suggests otherwise with a number of trees clearly resembling giraffes. Maybe one needs a little creativity regarding the tail and the number of legs but the resemblance is really not at all bad.

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09 Jul 2017
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Why do Dogs have specific sleeping positions? Any thoughts on a Husky cross? 


As a first time dog owner I am quite watchful about the minutiae of dog behaviour. From an 8 week puppy to a 9 month old adolescent he has always liked sleeping either firmly pressed against two sides. For example in his crate he sleeps almost in an L shape. Today he is sleeping pressed firmly all four paws against a sofa. 


My question is whether this is normal for all dogs or maybe specific for Huskies? He is a Siberian Spaniel so around 75% Husky and 25% Cocker Spaniel. Just curious . 

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29 Jun 2017
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Unusual Food Items. Chapter 1. Fried Curry Donuts


Without doubt this is the first time I have come across fried curry donuts. Served in a cellophane bag , making me wonder how long these have gone uneaten, in a Japan Airlines lounge at Frankfurt airport.  I am afraid that I have no intention of eating these. 

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21 Jun 2017
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The Queens Crown Travelled to Houses of Parliament in its own car. Is this correct in 2017? 


For once I am speechless. This is 2017. What springs to mind is the senseless waste of public money. The pure daftness of the idea. Just why? 

The crown travelled in a car with its own security escort. 

As imagined many folks had things to say on Twitter. Including myself. To summarise views. Medieval nonsense and grotesque display of wealth that might be regarded as highly insensitive in current times. 

The tweet that wins the prize though is this 

”Queen’s Speech: where you hear about prioritisation of mental health services, then watch as a crown gets taken away in its own car”

But why was she not wearing her crown fir the first time in 43 years for the Queens Speech? The event came too close to the Trooping of the colour to allow sufficient practice and rehearsal. But not to worry. The crown was within eyesight of the queen to her right. 

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14 Jun 2017
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Grenfell Tower. A blog predicted a fire would happen in November 2016


It is horrifying what has happened in Grenfell Tower. Words cannot explain how it must have felt to be part of this fire, observed the fire or even reported on the fire. 

Even seasoned news reporters looked on the edge of tears as did Jeremy Corbyn. Everyone from Muslim Aid through to QPR football club have gone out and delivered practical help. People have booked and paid for rooms in hotels. 

What however is more frightening, upsetting and anger provoking is to know that last November a blog posted a despairing article on the management at Grenfell Tower. They report that a fire such as began at 1am today which may or may not have anything to do with an exploding refrigerator on the fourth floor, was going to happen. Just please read this blog and form your own opinions. 

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