Travel Tales From Beyond The Brochure
Going "Beyond The Brochure", The Barefoot Backpacker looks at one concept or destination every episode, taking trips along the road less travelled and talking about issues related to travel, including politics and history, as well as specific topics like Bucket Lists & Hometown Trips.
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"Tourist or Traveller": a chat with Amanda Kendle
04/24/2025
"Tourist or Traveller": a chat with Amanda Kendle
Hello :) A month or so ago, Amanda Kendle had a natter with me, so she could make an episode of her Thoughtful Travel Podcast. Now that's gone live, I'm using the same interview to make my own version. We chatted for about 100 minutes in total - both our episodes are edited highlights! The discussion we had was a general one around travel, framed by a Buzzfeed quiz she found online. Because we're both Gen-X and still surf the web like it's 2007. But we used the questions to delve (a great word, sadly much maligned) deeper into the subjects raised. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Feeling low - ultramarathon blues or just the world being rotten? * "Why do you travel?" * "How do you think about budgeting for your trip?" * “What type of accommodation do you normally go for?” * “How long do you usually go away for?” * “What do you normally eat when you travel?” * “How do you usually pack for a trip?” * “How do you normally spend your time travelling” * “How do you usually feel after a trip?” * So are we tourists or travellers? A PDF transcript of this podcast is not yet available, because admin. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Comfort Zones, or: "Their 'Nope' Might Be Your Tuesday"
04/10/2025
Comfort Zones, or: "Their 'Nope' Might Be Your Tuesday"
Hello :) So, this podcast is all about comfort zones, primarily but not exclusively, in travel. I look at what they are, why people stay in them, how you can break them comfortably, and talk about times I've broken my own comfort zones, with both good and bad outcomes. Because that's what makes good travel experiences, right? Topics discussed in this episode are: * The British Guild of Travel Writers AGM * Standing on a stage, barefoot and vulnerable, reading teenage diaries * What is a comfort zone? * Language and culture are comfort zones to many * Personal Identity * Don't you just love being in control?! * The beneficial role of travel influencers * Breaking your comfort zone in five easy steps * Little things you can do: solo travel, new foods, local events * The beneficial role of bucket lists * When Comfort Zones Break You (Italy 2002) * People like it when things go wrong for other people (as long as they're safe) * What are my limits? * "The Barefoot Backpacker. No luggage, no shoes, no plan. What could possibly go right?" . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . . Contributions in this pod come from and . I ought also to link to too, given she got a shoutout. Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Maldives on a Budget
03/27/2025
Maldives on a Budget
Hello :) In March 2025, me and my travel buddy Laura surprisingly went to Maldives for four nights. Given I'm a budget backpacker who can't swim and gets bored easily, we figured it would make a great concept for a podcast. Very few people think of Maldives as a budget backpacker destination, and we thought we'd talk about how we managed to visit without spending the world. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Why on earth would I go to Maldives * Maldives is small, flat, hot, and ... full of Russians? * Budget travel around Maldives * - mainly on the beach * Budget accommodation in Maldives * Eating on a budget in Maldives * Travelling during Ramadan (!) * * As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Festivals (Music and Beer)
03/13/2025
Festivals (Music and Beer)
Hello :) This podcast is on Festivals, and as we're coming up to the season where people are likely planning their summer, this feels quite pertinent. It came off the back of my episode from last year about Travelling For Music, where I got a couple of contribs that made me think a dedicated episode on festivals would be a good idea. Topics discussed in this episode are: * The weather in 2012 * The delights of camping * My history of attenting festivals (, , ) * Music festivals in town centres * Local beer festivals * The Great British Beer Festival * Volunteering at festivals * The price and future of festivals . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), . Contributions in this pod come from Lucy (), Fizz (), and two friends (Viv and Peter) Until next time, bye for now. :)
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In which I realise why Paraguay has few guidebooks dedicated to it
02/27/2025
In which I realise why Paraguay has few guidebooks dedicated to it
Hello :) This episode details the second half of my 2-week backpacking trip around South America in October 2024 - this one covers Iguzau Falls and Paraguay. Because everyone wants to go to Paraguay. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Admin caused by a lost phone * The Jesuit Ruins of Argentina and Paraguay * The German influence of SE Paraguay * Iguazu Falls (both sides) * Ciudad del Este and the absence of the Brazil border * Asunción is interesting (derog.) . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), . There are no contributions in this podcast, and the intro noise is the sound of the Devil's Throat (Argentina Side) at Iguazu Falls. Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Tango In The Night
02/13/2025
Tango In The Night
Hello :) This episode details the first half of my 2-week backpacking trip around South America in October 2024 - this one covers Uruguay and Buenos Aires. The rest of the trip will follow in my next episode. My voice doesn't really sound that great today, and I'm not quite sure why. Topics discussed in this episode are: * I went to Chester to meet my mother! * Why did I go to South America? * First impressions of Montevideo * The old town, the promenade, and the street market * My accommodation in Montevideo * Uruguayan cash flow issues * Colonia del Sacramento * San Telmo and the pub that trolls * The Parisian aesthetic of Buenos Aires * How aroace dyspraxics get to dance the Tango . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. , and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), . There are no contributions in this podcast, but the intro was recorded by someone called Dorhel in San Telmo market, and posted to . I don't have any recordings of Tango. Listen to the pod to find out why! Also, in case you're interested. . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Luxury Travel
01/30/2025
Luxury Travel
Hello :) This episode is about Luxury Travel. This isn't a topic that comes naturally to barefoot backpackers in general, but sometimes even we put on our metaphorical shoes and drink free champagne. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Running Training & Rate of Percieved Exertion * Future potential backpacking trips * What it means to be a 'barefoot' backpacker * Flying business class on Air Europa from South America * Short-haul business class travel isn't really worth it * Flying business class on Emirates from Sri Lanka is * We need a middle ground option - like a train * First Class on UK Trains is nothing special * Eurostar is nice I suppose * Business hotels * Afternoon Tea, but not yet at the Ritz * {bonus} Helicopter Rides over a volcano - the ultimate luxury experience . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Contributions in this episode come from , , and . In addition, my VA, Victoria Pearson, . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Vienna Calling
01/16/2025
Vienna Calling
Hello :) This podcast comes off the back of another press-trip I was sent on by Jet2. This time me and Laura went to Austria to explore the Christmas Markets. While we were there we did a few other things, not all of which involved alcohol. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Pills and Snow * What is a Christmas Market anyway * Our impressions of six of them * Things to eat and drink * Things to do at and around the markets * Schönbrunn Palace * A Night At The Opera * Lots of dead musicians * How to ride the U-Bahn . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), . There are no contributions in this episode. Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Repositioning
12/28/2024
Repositioning
Hello :) Yeh, I’ve not podded for a while. Had an existential crisis. Still have. It’s fine. Conditional normal. With fog patches. Rising slowly. This episode is all about me, a couple of events I've been to in the past couple of months, and how my content might change in scope going forward. Because I am the UK's leading AroAce Non-Binary Gen-X Travel and Lifestyle Blogger. Arguably. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Small things I did in November * The Traverse Creator Awards 2024 * What is the World Travel Market (WTM)? * What I should do at WTM v what I actually do * My niches * Attending WTM as a non-binary travel blogger * Getting old * Being assumed female in a pub . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. , and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - . There are no contributions in this episode, however I nicked from . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Reddit Travel Topic Discussion
10/10/2024
Reddit Travel Topic Discussion
Hello :) This is an episode I've been meaning to do for about three years, but for mainly logistical reasons, this is the first chance I've had. The original idea came from the lifestyle podcast Sounds Fake But Okay; whenever they get stuck for content they scour the AITA forums on Reddit, and similar content in other places, to highlight allonormativity and generally go 'NTA, dump him'. I figured I could do the same for this pod, but looking at things more travel-related, ecen if there's less content about that. However it's not the sort of episode that works well with just one person as it sounds like I'm just being bitter and ranty. So, my friend V was more than happy to help get involved. Even though she's not an ardent traveller. Topics discussed in this episode are: * I'm going to South America * Running update * Reclining seats on aeroplanes * Be nice to your flight crew * Yes, you do need to stow your designer handbag * How many photos do you need to take? * How to take a selfie * Does travel broaden the mind or narrow the attitude? * Travel privilege (in brief) * The trouble with defining how to count countries * Do travel bloggers need more accurate visas? * Learned helplessness and weaponised incompetence with travel companions * Foreign Languages * The Bermuda Triangle and Public Information Films * Is 22 too old, or too young, to backpack Europe? , largely due to the wonders of open-source AI which saved me several hours of transcription work. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . . There are no contributions in this episode, however here's the articles we discussed (assuming they're still up): * * * * * * * In addition, I ought to link to: * * Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Everywhere Is Interesting
09/21/2024
Everywhere Is Interesting
Hello :) I often say "Everywhere Is Interesting", but what do I mean when I say that? What makes a place 'interesting'? Or rather, given any random place in the world, what can make you 'key in' to that location over and above any other? Of course, this could be very personal, or at least subjective, so when I say 'Everywhere Is Interesting', what I mean is that there is something everywhere, in every place, that someone is going to have a connection to, or is related to a hobby or interest that someone has. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Why I was too busy to release this episode on time * A refresher about Hometown Travel * Travel for hobbies and interests * Vicarious travel through music lyrics * Every song and TV series is set somewhere * Travel to film and video locations * Overtourism A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. , and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - . Contributions in this episode come from: * Amanda, who has , * Claire, , and * Rebecca, who Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Salford
09/07/2024
Salford
Hello :) So, despite recently moving out of Salford, I felt it was an interesting enough place to do a podcast about. Partly because 'Everywhere is Interesting' and my VA wanted me to prove it. And what could be more interesting than the location of the world's first municipal public park, the world's first bus route, the world's first street lighting, and the world's only canal swing bridge. And the UK's most polluted river, but let's not talk about that, and anyway the other half of it is in Manchester. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Running along country lanes * A potted history of the Salford area * Salford Central ... isn't * Salford Quays - the posh bit * Canals and Rivers and Bridges and Hotels * Old and Listed Buildings * Peel Park * Vimto * A short overview of Salford Pop-Culture from The Smiths to Coronation Street * Salford Firsts . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . For this pod I've uploaded about 9 mins of extra content all about Salford's pubs, which I thought would make the episode too long for no real advantage, but which I might use in a future episode. Who knows! There are no contributions in this episode, although my VA does purposely misrhythm a song lyric at the beginning. . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Travelling for Music
08/24/2024
Travelling for Music
Hello :) Given recent big concert tours, it feels like the right time to do an episode on 'travelling for music'. It's a subject I didn't think I'd have a lot to say about, given I don't often go to concerts even locally, never mind for travels, but the more I thought about it, the more interesting comparisons and contrasts I could find between my trips. Topics discussed in this episode are: * My first concert (Heavenly, 1992) * The first concert I travelled for (Bon Jovi, 1995) * Travelling to Paris to listen to French singers ... * ... three times * You Look Like Taylor Swift * Other ways of travelling for music [This latter point will be expanded and the episode re-uploaded once I get a further contribution] . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Contributions in this episode come from: * my old schoolfriend Alistair, * Claire, , and * Juliet, Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Nostalgia Ain't What It Used To Be
08/08/2024
Nostalgia Ain't What It Used To Be
Hello :) I've been thinking a lot recently about nostalgia. I mean, I always have, but I think over time my feelings have changed about it. There's so many people who think 'life was better when I was young', and I wanted to probe more into that, into how I felt about nostalgia, why people of my generation tend to be nostalgic, and also put some colder facts around it. I also took a couple of trips recently to the places I grew up in, and it was interesting to compare memories of those places with how those places vibe nowadays. Topics discussed in this episode are: * I have moved house yet again * Music and TV from my younger days * Why nostalgia is different for older generations than younger ones * "The Good Old Days" * 1970s comedy is barely golden * How nostalgia can affect your world outlook * The world is a better place now, statistically * Aircraft safety has improved * Foreign Office Travel Advice from February 1998 * Some things change, some stay the same * The House(s) I Grew Up In * How it feels to go back to a childhood area * Birmingham and La Rochelle - when I tried to be amatonormative . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . . There are no direct contributions in this pod, though you do hear the voices of my co-conspirator V, my step-dad, and my friend Sarah, not that one, this is someone I went to Primary School with, and who might well be the person outside of family who I've known the longest - we met at the school gates on our first day. Until next time, bye for now. :)
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100 Episodes (Sort Of)
07/25/2024
100 Episodes (Sort Of)
Hello :) It's been noticed that I've now done 100 episodes. Quite which episode was my 100th is open to question as it depends on your definition of episode - indeed if you don't count the Twitter Space recordings I did with V, I've not got there yet. But, just like with counting countries, there's always going to be arguments either way, and in terms of what my podcast host and the podcast apps say, I've made three figures. So it seems kind of appropriate to acknowledge that. I am aware that one of my Glasgow episodes was 'what I wish I'd known before starting a podcast' and I didn't want to do another episode like that, so instead what I thought I'd do was an actual retrospective of the topics I've talked about in my podcast episodes thus far, so that people who may be new to my words and content can get a feel for the sort of things that I've talked about before. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Vague things I've been up to in the Spring * My most popular episodes * Extracts from my episodes about Uzbekistan, Bucket Lists, Apartheid, and Sexuality while Travelling * My favourite episodes * Extracts from my episodes about Travel Privilege, Influencer Responsibility & Integrity, and Instagram v Reality * Episodes I'm proud of * Extracts from my episodes about The Wars Of The Roses, Do You Have Pride In Your Country, and Travel Podcasting with ChatGPT * Some stats about my podcast and episode downloads . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . . There are no direct contributions in this pod, though a couple do appear in extracts. Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Armenia: Soviets and Christians
04/07/2024
Armenia: Soviets and Christians
Hello :) This is part three of an overview of my recent trip to the Caucasus region of Eurasia, and covers the four days I spent in Armenia. I talk about why Yerevan feels quite Soviet, why Armenia and Azerbaijan don't like each other, and the architectural legacy of being the world's oldest Christian country. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Asexuality Interview with an unexpected newspaper * Local Elections * How to spend 7 hours in Yerevan with a backpack * The Yerevan Cascade(s) * The Soviet vibe of Victory Park * Kond Historic District * The Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator * The Blue Mosque * Monasteries in northern Armenia * Why Armenia and Turkey/Azerbajian don't like each other * The Armenian Genocide Memorial * Food and drink in Armenia * Going home * Impressions of Armenia and being non-binary there A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . There are no contributions in this pod, though I would like to link my appreciation to . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Georgia - Country of Cheese and Garlic
03/23/2024
Georgia - Country of Cheese and Garlic
Hello :) This is part two of an overview of my recent trip to the Caucasus region of Eurasia, and covers the five days I spent in the country of Georgia, mainly the capital city Tbilisi. I also talk about far too much cheese and garlic, the worst beer I've ever had in my life, Topics discussed in this episode are: * Audio quality of recent episodes * Problems when your debit card gets cancelled * Arrival in Tbilisi * First experience with Georgian food * Transport in Tbilisi * The Georgian National Museum * Beer and bars in Tbilisi * Uplistsikhe - the city built into a sandstone hill * Food in Tbilisi * The overnight train to Yerevan * Tbilisi street sculptures * The cable car and the Mother Georgia statue * Being enby in Georgia . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . . There are no contributions in this pod, but I do want to provide some links: * * * * * * * * * * Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Two days in Azerbaijan
03/09/2024
Two days in Azerbaijan
Hello :) So, as you know, I've recently been away for two weeks, ostensibly to attend the Traverse Travel Blogger Conference, which this year took place in Tbilisi, in Georgia. I've never been to that party of the world, and it'd always been on my list. I clearly went at the wrong time of year, but that's just what happens sometimes. This is going to be the first of a couple of pods about the trip, and concentrates mainly on talking about the conference itself, the background to why I went, and on my first couple of days travelling, mostly spent in Azerbaijan. Topics discussed in this episode are: I'm not running at the moment The Traverse Blogger Conference Niching out my website Background to my journey 4 flights and 5 airports One day in Baku Mud volcanoes Ancient and mediaeval rock art Fire Temples and Fire Mountains Impressions of Azerbaijan, including money, language, and queerness A PDF transcript will be available shortly. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Love and Sex on the Road
02/08/2024
Love and Sex on the Road
Hello :) It's coming up to Valentine's Day (and Quirkyalone Day), so this feels like the right time to issue an episode all about love, sex, and illicit encounters while travelling. Obviously there's content warnings in here, mainly for, well, sex and kink, but I do always try to keep it quite light-hearted. One might well ask how an AroAce can talk so much about this subject. Well. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Full Swap Radio * Meeting people in backpacker hostels * Dating apps * Why I don't use dating apps but might use hookup apps * Staying safe on the road * Interesting hookups I've had on the road * Good and bad dating app experiences from contributors * Long Distance Relationships * Relationship Admin A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Contributions in this pod come from: Maja (), Kylie (), and my friend Kitty. Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Travel Best Of Lists
01/27/2024
Travel Best Of Lists
Hello :) Of course it’s the New Year, and as such, the travel world is plastered with lists of ‘where to go in 2024’, ‘best places to visit in 2024’, and the like. Now, I have to say I’ve never been terribly fond of these sorts of things on a fundamental level for a number of reasons. I mean, sure they provide a good quick way of inspiring people, especially people who are relatively new to travel, but sometimes I feel that they tend to be quite … well, have a listen and see if you agree with me. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Back to Glasgow for re-coloured hair * My eyes are getting old * * Great Cities are Big and Western * * What does 'lesser-visited' even mean? * * * * Conclusions . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . There are no contributions in this pod, it's just my voice. Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Hanno The Navigator - A Case Study of Instagram v Reality
01/11/2024
Hanno The Navigator - A Case Study of Instagram v Reality
Hello :) And so to the second part of 'let's make a podcast that's going to cause more unfollowers than followers'. Mind you, let's be honest, I've had several podcast episodes like that, and nothing untoward has happened. Maybe I should be more controversial. There again. I wasn't originally sure what to do for this episode. I toyed with the idea of doing one on 'ancient and mediaeval Travel Bloggers you need to know about', but I realised it would require far too much research in the time I had available. However using the very first one, Hanno The Navigator, as a 'hook', I realised I could go down a very different path, which combines history, Instagram, and ethical behaviour, but not in the way you might expect. Topics discussed in this episode are: * A very brief housekeeping update * The voyage of Hanno The Navigator * Issues with the surviving account of Hanno's voyage * Why everyone should take more selfies * The South Sea Bubble * History is elitist and biased * Why editing photographs isn't that bad really * Hanoi's Train Street * Geotagging and the problem of lost cities * Recording the mundane, from pencil sharpeners to Friendship Books * Viking helmets don't have horns . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . There are no contributions in this pod, it's just my voice. Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Mistletoe and Whine
12/30/2023
Mistletoe and Whine
Hello :) Well, you may be pleased to know I survived my trip to SE Asia. But it was a close-run thing as you'll hear at the start of this episode. Anyway. It's Christmas. I should do a pod about this time of year. And this is one I've cobbled together at the last possible moment. I think I might well whine a bit more than usual in it. But it's fine; this isn't my time of year by definition. Topics discussed in this episode are: * The most 8 minutes I've ever had on a plane * My Christmas is low-key * 100 Countries by Age 50 * American Christmas Music Radio * Whamageddon! * Christmas trees * Australia at Christmas * Christmas markets I have seen and drank at * Family Christmasses growing up * Pantomimes * New Year traditions . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Contributions in this pod come from my friend Anne-Laure, ; my mother, who doesn't have a web presence of any note; and Amanda Kendle, of the . Also, the Deck of Many Aces podcast can be found wherever you listen to podcasts, but they're hosted . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Pride and Prejudice and Motorbikes
12/14/2023
Pride and Prejudice and Motorbikes
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Lao Please Don't Rush
11/30/2023
Lao Please Don't Rush
Hello :) As I'm currently away on a backpacking trip around South-East Asia, it makes sense to issue a podcast episode about the previous time I went to this part of the world (mainland, anyway, not the many islands off the coast) - back in 2012 to Laos and Cambodia. This episode is specifically about the Laos part of the trip; the subsequent Cambodian adventure will be my featured in next podcast. A PDF transcript of this podcast will be available when I return, for ... admin reasons. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I also have a Patreon - . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Running While Travelling
11/23/2023
Running While Travelling
Hello :) I've been meaning to do a pod specifically about running for a while; it's something that I mention quite often in my housekeeping and I've also tangentially talked about it in smaller sections on pods covering a wider remit. As such, some of what I'll talk about you'll have heard before, but I felt it was the right time to cover this topic again now. Topics discussed include: * My purple hair * All the ways I've been social this month * Cross-Country running at my secondary school * Why I rarely run when travelling * Meeting up with other runners on the move * Running clothing and shoes in luggage * Travelling the world for marathons * A first foreign marathon experience * An overview of Parkrun * Parkrun Tourism in several forms . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Contribs for this episode came from: Steven Ericson - Steve Biggs - . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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The Merchant Navy
11/03/2023
The Merchant Navy
Hello :) Well, this is an unusual episode in several ways, but the main one is the relative lack of personal updates and housekeeping. If you want to know what I’ve been up to this past month, now would be a great time to sign up to my monthly Newsletter, deets below! Now, I’m aware I don’t talk about my background or my family much, save for the occasional regular subtweet to my my mother. But anyway. A couple of years after I was born, my mother re-married. And Gary, the chap she married, had an interesting job – he was a refrigeration engineer in the Merchant Navy. While he’s long since left that role (he had some twenty-five years since doing the same role for a large supermarket chain specialising in frozen foods), this was how I first knew him, and thus may have been a childhood influence on my travels. And it occurred to me, after I’d done a few of my podcasts, that it would make an interesting episode – it’s travel-related, it’s a historic snapshot of a life that’s very different now, and above all, it’s not something I think many of you would necessarily know about. I certainly didn’t know a lot about it growing up, and as you’ll hear, there’s probably some reasons for that. So a couple of years ago I went to visit, took my laptop and microphone, and set about interviewing him all about his life and his adventures. The full 2hr 11min interview is available on my Patreon, along with some images of the ships he served on. Note he has a strong accent and a slightly fluid way of speaking. This did not help the transcription. Topics discussed include: * What is the Merchant Navy and why he joined * Seasickness and bad weather * What problems could occur en route * How big the ships he served on were, and how they were structured * What the working life was life, and who he served with * Food and drink on board * How he'd pass the time on long journeys * Shore leave and visiting off-brochure places * The Merchant Navy now . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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New Series, New City, New Nel
10/14/2023
New Series, New City, New Nel
Hello :) Well, that was an unexpectedly long break. To be honest I wasn't planning it but I did kind of need it. But just in case you needed confirmation: Everything Has Been All Right. So far at least. Anyway, this episode is a short one, just in part to let you know I'm still alive, partly to give you an indication of what to look forward to in the new series of episodes, for a given definition of series, and mainly to give you a housekeeping life update. There's also a call-to-action for future episodes. Normal service will be resumed next time. For a given definition of normal. . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Everything Is Going To Be All Right
08/24/2023
Everything Is Going To Be All Right
Hello :) So, why did I call this episode 'everything is going to be all right'? Well, it's a mantra I've been repeating to myself quite a lot over the past month or so. If I say it enough, I might actually believe it. In this episode I talk about my feelings about moving to Manchester, and why while I was initially emotional about the move, I quickly realised why it will go all rather well. I also talk a little about my issues with my phone, which is why I've been quiet online of late, then about the journey from Carstairs to Lockerbie, and finally a section about recent news stories that will make you feel that everything is going to be all right. A PDF transcript will be available shortly. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Travel Podcasting With ChatGPT
08/10/2023
Travel Podcasting With ChatGPT
Hello! Yep, I've created a podcast with the help of AI, in this case specifically ChatGPT. Now, the first question you might ask is of me is why, given my skill with words, my unique and distinct voice, both literal and metaphoric, and a preference for real stories and experiences over auto-generated ones, am I dabbling with AI? Well, the answer is manyfold, as you'll find out. What I look at here is how useful AI would be in creating content, assessing how good the information it provides is, and wondering whether it's something we should be embracing or something we need to be fearful of. Topics covered on this podcast include: * I'm leaving Glasgow (soon) * My expectations and understanding of AI * Getting AI to come up with a list of questions to ask on a podcast about remote places * Getting AI to answer said list of questions * Assessing the viability of AI's answers * ChatGPT finds cute cafes in Glasgow * How AI would explore its hometown * What AI thinks about hiking barefoot * Travelling as a non-binary person seems to be at the edge of its knowledge * A Listicle about Solo Travel * ChatGPT and beer * Conclusions, usefulness, limitations, and things to be aware of There are no contributions in this episode, unless you count ChatGPT itself. Voices for ChatGPT were provided by free online text-to-speech websites, by the way, and I tried to mix them up a bit. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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Chernobyl
07/27/2023
Chernobyl
Hello! This podcast episode is all about Chernobyl. It's an episode I've had pencilled in to do for quite some time, if in part because I went there in 2014, and never wrote anything about my visit at the time so I felt I ought to, you know, get round to it at some point. I even mentioned this in a podcast I did last year, Back In The USSR. Didn't do it then either, because, and I quote, "I think if I did it would make the pod much longer than I'd intended. In any case it probably deserves its own discussion." I guess this is that discussion. Topics covered on this podcast include: * I'm leaving Glasgow * The dead railway station at IBM Halt * A brief history of the 1986 explosion at Chernobyl * What I was doing in 1986 * Why I wanted to visit (and why I wasn't barefoot) * Visit to the Power Plant * Walking through the ruined town of Pripyat * Health and Safety in a Nuclear Fallout Zone * The Duga-1 Radar Array and the Russian Woodpecker * Chernobyl City and the people who stayed Contributions in this episode come from: , , and . As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. . I also have a Patreon - . Until next time, bye for now. :)
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