Metal

I read this hopeful from the book’s synopsis for a thoughtful, if pacey, sci-fi thriller in the Michael Crichton mould. However it really fails to deliver, descending very quickly into a formulaic post-apocalyptic “shoot-em-up”. The story portrays a remarkably rapid … Continue reading

Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Reviews

Atomic Secrets

Enjoyable romp through a plausible alternative history Continue reading

Friday, December 15, 2023 in Reviews

Olympus TG6 – Does the T Really Stand for “Tough”?

I don’t do a lot of underwater photography, but I like to have an underwater-capable camera for snorkelling on holiday, and it’s also potentially a good option for working in very wet conditions above seal level. For the last 10 … Continue reading

Saturday, May 13, 2023 in Barbados, Photography, Reviews, Travel

Barbados – Mojo Reanimated

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Barbados has its mojo back. We’ve been regular visitors to the magical island over many years now. It was a real frustration that our 2020 trip got cancelled with only a few … Continue reading

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Barbados, Reviews, Thoughts on the World, Travel

A Heretical Proposition

Here’s a heretical proposition: Quantum of B**locks is clearly the worst of all the “real” Bond films, but is No Time To Die the second worst? The release of a new Bond film is always accompanied by almost hagiographic sycophancy, … Continue reading

Sunday, October 24, 2021 in Reviews, Thoughts on the World

Testing, Testing!

Apologies, I have a problem with my RSS feed which appears to require "live testing" to resolve. Please ignore this post, but if you’re already here please enjoy a nice picture of a beautiful leopard! Continue reading

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 in Website & Blog

A Ray of Sunshine

For about ten minutes at the end of each evening the sunlight lights up our newest sculpture through the Chinese circle. I thought it would be nice to share this: it’s a pretty image in it’s own right, I’d like … Continue reading

Thursday, May 14, 2020 in Thoughts on the World, Website & Blog

Zero Limit

This is billed as “Artemis meets Gravity“, but it would be more accurate to say “Deep Impact meets Eastenders“. The main plot element is that a rogue asteroid mining operation accidentally puts the rock on a direct impact course for … Continue reading

Friday, May 3, 2019 in Reviews

The Spy. Why?

While this is an enjoyable read, it prompts one big question. Why did the author feel that a heavily fictionalised re-telling of this utterly thrilling true story was needed? In the preface Gross says that he wants to tell “the … Continue reading

Sunday, April 21, 2019 in Reviews, Thoughts on the World

Darwin’s Cipher

I like a good techno-thriller, but since the death of Michael Crichton and with Phillip Kerr moving onto German detectives and unpleasant tales of first-person murdering pickings have been thin. I have enjoyed the works of Daniel Suarez, and the … Continue reading

Saturday, April 20, 2019 in Reviews

Testing, Testing

I’ve been having a few problems with my RSS feed, hopefully now fixed. If you view my blog via the feed and don’t see a picture from my trip to the Kolmanskoppe diamond mining town, please let me know. Continue reading

Friday, January 4, 2019 in Namibia Travel Blog, Travel, Website & Blog

Software Design Decoded

This is a delightful little book on the perennial topic of how a software architect should think and behave. While that subject seems to attract shorter books, this one is very concise – the main content is just 66 two-page … Continue reading

Tuesday, February 7, 2017 in Agile & Architecture, Reviews