15th January 2014 Athens, Greece
How can defence possibly be interesting? For me it can be if it’s about people – the people behind events, their roles and lives. How they think. What they think and what inspires them. What they do and how they work with others. I’ve never been a great fan of Doctor Who. But I like […]
16th October 2013 Athens, Greece
When they appointed me ambassador, I knew almost nothing about the maritime world – whether naval or mercantile. Sure, I had grown up near one of the most important ports in England and had gone to school there. In the 19th century, the fleet of Hull was principally occupied with whaling. In the 20th century, […]
17th September 2013 Athens, Greece
When I was 19 I tried for the first time to gain a permit to enter the Holy Mountain. I am an Anglican and a believer, and have long been interested in monasticism and Orthodox spirituality. In 1987, my application was unsuccessful and I rather lost heart; I have waited over 25 years to fill […]
Read more on Wanderings on Athos, the Holy Mountain | Reply (4)
26th June 2012 Athens, Greece
First week of June 2012 and the international shipping community turned its attention to Greece for Posidonia, the largest international gathering in the shipping calendar. It is a high profile bi-annual shipping exhibition/conference with exhibitors from over 85 countries and about 18,000 visitors. This can be easily understood, as Posidonia is a reflection of the […]
Read more on British presence at Posidonia 2012 – Reaffirming close links in shipping | Reply