This is part 1 of my Axis of Evil Ski Tour, to Dizin, Iran. I'll also be going to the newly opened Masik Pass ski resort in North Korea and at Penjwin in Kurdistan, Iraq. I first read about skiing in Iran in the Guardian. I am also considering a trip with Untamed Borders tour company (what other name could they possibly have!) to do the 4th Afghan Ski Challenge. _________________________________ As usual here are the photos on Google+ :-)As part of m...

This is part 1 of my Axis of Evil Ski Tour, to Dizin, Iran. I'll also be going to the newly opened Masik Pass ski resort in North Korea and at Penjwin in Kurdistan, Iraq. I first read about skiing in Iran in the Guardian. I am also in discussions with Untamed Borders tour company (what other name could they possibly have!) to do the 4th Afghan Ski Challenge. _________________________________3:30am, I'm finally on the plane. Tehran bound, via Dubai. What ...

A poem for the upcoming Kuwait Writers Club event at Bayt Lothan this Thursday 19th December.We are arguing in the oilfields again. Not about oil.About the environment.The arguments are not so bad this time.Some have been cataclysmic.Their guy and our guy going at it likeOne Full Metal Jacket drill instructor trying to train another.Somehow I'm okay with all theTrauma though.I always have this reassuranceIn the back of my mindThat it's good we're tak...

A piece for the Kuwait Writing Club. David paused. James had just asked him if he wanted to go fishing Saturday afternoon, a regular thing they'd been doing for a few years. David realized he was going to have to tell James at one point or another that he had found a new girl. He'd known James since they kept tadpoles as pets. Since their mothers arranged birthdays for all the neighbourhood kids and the present of their dreams was a caterpillar tracked re...

You are invited to 2 mountain bike races on Mutla Ridge!Where: We'll start from here (coordinates in decimal degrees: 29.417348 lat, 47.688069 long) When: 8am (arrive 730am), this Saturday 14th December (race 1) or Saturday 4th January 2014 (race 2)Distance: about 20kmTime: about 2 hoursDifficulty: easy except for tough, short 600m initial tarmac road climb (race 1) or equally tough sand climb to get to the top of the ridge (race 2)Route map (race 1 goes ...