Random photo dump of my European tour
It’s been quite the week and a bit; traveling from Vienna to Chişinău via public transport with stops in Bratislava and Bucharest, along with a side mission to Tiraspol.
With more time and energy I think I’d have tried harder to document all the examples of Brutalism and Socialist Modernism I found on my city walkabouts; as it is I have just a few pics here to share to try and encapsulate that really specific Eastern bloc feel.
Safe to say I’m exhausted now but give me a month or two and I’ll be chomping at the bit to go somewhere else. I’ve got five countries left to do to complete my 50 by 50 and only 20 months to do it. Suppose I’d better get a move on.
#solotravel #wanderlust #easterneurope #brutalism
Good afternoon from Tiraspol
(Technically the sixth and last country from this trip)
Tiraspol is a strange place. It’s in a country called Transnistria which for most intents and purposes does not exist - and yet it continues as it has done since 1992.
In some ways it’s like stepping back in time; a statue of Lenin stands outside while Soviet style murals and pictures abound in the city. Unless you’re a local your mobile phone and bank cards won’t work and you have to exchange cash for roubles that are useless in the rest of the world.
Tiraspol was a major bucket list one for me and one I’m glad I ticked off even if it did take me several million miles outside my comfort zone.
#wanderlust #solotravel #transnistria #tiraspol
Good morning from Chisinău
Country #45 (#5 of this trip)
A fun fun ride on the train from Bucharest, arriving just over an hour late into Moldova. The ride featured a packed out bar car, a drunk dude trying to get into my cabin who ended up getting kicked off the train at the Romanian border, and me frantically having to rebook my hotel here due to issues. Adventure awaits.
#wanderlust #solotravel #moldova
Soyuz 40
Romania is proud of its scientific and engineering development, and in 1981 this was encapsulated when Romanian Cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu went into space aboard Soyuz 40.
The capsule is now in the Aviation pavilion of the National Military Museum in Bucharest and looking at it my claustrophobia doesn’t want to think what it’s like going into space in it.
#romania #space #bucharest
Good morning from Bucharest
Country #44 (#4 on this trip)
On December 21, 1989 Nicolae Ceausescu stood on the balcony of this building to give a speech to the people in an attempt to solidify his dictatorship. Despite an offer to substantially increase wages by 10% and pensions by 12.5%, the crowd revolted and four days later Ceausescu and his wife were executed after a military drumhead trial.
I’ve read a bit about that speech and how it was a fundamental part of not only the Romanian Revolution but of the overall fall of the iron curtain. It’s kinda weird being here now; despite the square being renamed Revolution square I didn’t see much to commemorate what happened.
#solotravel #wanderlust #romania
IC3PEAK at Majestic Music Center, Bratislava.
This was the 7th time I’ve seen them and beforehand I was a little wary I’d be disappointed. The issues with getting through EU security made me worry I’d be delayed, while the knowledge Nastya has not been well of late was concerning too.
I need not have been worried. A slightly truncated set sure, but paying the extra €20 for balcony seats meant I got one of the best views in the house and of course they smashed it. I sincerely hope this isn’t as threatened their swansong tour.
#ic3peak #ic3peak🖤 #nastyakreslina
Black Country Ales Booze Cruise - Saturday April 25
The last few months have been a bit of a grind and so it was something truly special to spend the first day of my annual leave in the company of friends, drinking delicious pints of beer in wonderful looking pubs while bathed in bright spring sunshine.
I have to admit I’ve struggled recently with feelings of despair. Everything I see on the news is about how the world is going to shit and it’s hard not to worry for our future. Yet days like this remind me that there is a lot of good in the world; that despite the best efforts of iconoclasts and polemics there are still real reasons to have faith in our fellow humans.
Today my family and I said our final goodbye to my father, Malcolm. As a fan of trains for his whole life, it seemed fitting for his ashes to be scattered via the firebox of a steam train on the Severn Valley Railway. The weather co-operated to make for a a beautiful final send off.
Goodbye Dad. I miss you every day.
The Prodigy @ Utilita Arena
It’s been something like 28 years since I last saw The Prodigy live and despite feeling a bit old because of that I truly enjoyed this one. Probably the sweatiest and most intense gig I’ve seen at the Utilita - these old bones were thankful I was in the seats and not on the floor.
LAMMA 2026 @ NEC
A day looking at tractors and ag machinery at the NEC. Never fail to be impressed by the size and power of these machines.
#agriculture #tractor #agshow
Farewell 2025.
A year of adventures like a crazy 24 hour trip to Tirana and a week in Bishkek; and also a year of devastating loss.
Here’s to 2026 being a happier, healthier and wealthier year for us all. ❤️
Snow Strippers @ O2 Ritz Manchester
Second time I’ve seen these and once again it was a relentless set with something like 27 tracks in 50ish minutes. It’s definitely more of a vibes thing than anything else but sometimes it’s good just to have fun you know?
#snowstrippers #mancmusic #2025inmusic
