What's the difference between a sequel and a franchise? A sequel should expand and develop the story, move it forward, expand on the history and deepen it. Some sequels are better than the original - Godfather Part ll for example - whiles some are worse; Jaws 2 anyone? A franchise, though, is normally a cynical … Continue reading Pirates of the Caribbean – Salazar’s Revenge

It’s not important to be liked but it is important to be likeable.   Email is good but talking is better.   Why can’t an employer leave an employee the way an employee can leave an employer? Why is one a sacking and the other a resignation? It would be so much easier if an … Continue reading Business Lessons

What do most people know about the Isle of Man? Birth-place of Mark Cavendish, sometime home to Nigel Mansell and Jeremy Clarkson, motor-cycle races where riders invariably die, strange attitude to homosexuality, Parliament with an un-remembered name. Er…that’s about it. And now to add to the list; setting for Mindhorn, a new British film. Mindhorn … Continue reading Mindhorn

Sky Pro Cycling – a super slick, professional, cutting edge, massively successful (although not in the Classics), innovative, well-funded, expertly managed pro cycling team which has transformed the sport. Sky – satellite or cable TV channel offering 7 (count ‘em) sports channels (plus endless movies) which has transformed television sport and is (arguably) responsible for … Continue reading Grey Sky Thinking

Chapter One There were nineteen fish in the pond in Rachel’s back garden but only three of them could talk. The three were Barney, an overweight shubunkin, Pi, a baby goldfish, and Rita, a platinum koi. Rachel discovered that they could talk one Saturday afternoon after everyone else had gone inside. It had been a … Continue reading Rachel and the Talking Fish

Lanzarote has never been high on my list of desired destinations. Too bare, too stony, too common, too full English breakfast, too hot, too near, too Spanish, too easy, too volcanic. But I knew some people who went on a cycle training camp in April and they said I should join them. I resisted, but … Continue reading Stranger in a strange land