At death, Maori say that a person’s wairua (spirit) comes to Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua) to cast itself off to the Underworld, to Hawaiki, the Other World, the place of origin. The spirits climb down to a pohutukawa tree … Continued
A shaft of light shines on the floor, the beam borne stronger as it passes through the heated mist of steam rising from the baths, seemingly from the very pores of the room. The voices of the bathers form a … Continued
Let’s start with the dead body, and work backwards. A 4 x 4 drives towards us, this cold morning. Dark,anonymous, it takes up more room than it should on the road. We are forced to the left, not forced … Continued
You really must go on an East London walk, beyond Tower Bridge, on the south side of the river. You’ll find that the crowds just disappear almost the moment you through the whitewashed underpass that takes you under the bridge. … Continued
If you decide on walking London, this route takes you from Angel down to the Barbican, touching on Finsbury, across to Brick Lane, through Shoreditch, Hackney and back north toward the Regent’s Canal. I’m going to simplify the route – … Continued
Sunday afternoon. I decide to get to know my stomping ground. I go stomping. Further into East London, along the East India Dock Road toward the Chrisp St Market. I don’t know I am walking to the market yet, I’m … Continued
I encouraged a friend to watch it, proudly, reverently handing over my copy to him. I was a bit nervous lending it to him, as I had literally searched the world for a copy of Quadrophenia. I’d looked at overseas … Continued
Wandering around London during work hours is like going to the country. I marvel at the freedom of movement, the freedom of access that I have, when I occupy the city when everyone else is at work. Stress levels, down. … Continued