My novel about love, betrayal and chess in New Orleans: The Pride and the Sorrow

Friday, June 26, 2009

British heatwave!

Thunderstorms over Parliament, London. As England bakes, who says there's no such thing as a British summer?

Rowers on the Serpentine, Hyde Park, central London.

A woman walks in richmond Park, south London.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Quarry diving!

Passed!
I got my PADI.
Yes, it's official, I can now go diving. Watch out fish!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Guide to Britain's Best Pubs

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/interactive/2009/jun/15/guide-britains-best-pubs

Monday, June 08, 2009

Scuba Diving - 60 feet down!

Dear England, right now I'm learning to scuba dive. I've always been a fan of snorkelling, tooling around at the beach as a kid along the rocks at some bay, looking for brightly-colored fish. It turns out scuba-diving is the best way to sea these critters, and perhaps a turtle or two. Why didn't I think of this before?

Well, the thing about scuba diving is that you have to get "certified" and the best organization to do this with is called PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). It's the most internationally recognized - giving you the best chance of being able to dive in new places, on new adventures! I am currently learning through the National Diving Center in Washington, DC.

When you have all your equipment on, it can be pretty daunting. Actually, the hardest thing in scuba is probably trying to stay balanced, as the tank is pretty heavy. But you get used to this after a few dives. So far I've dived once in a swimming pool, and I'm only half way through my PADI certification. But in two weeks I'm off to Bainbridge, Pennsylvania to dive 60 feet in a murky quarry - the four "open water" dives I need to complete the course. Then it's Puerto Rico in July baby for some real tropical diving!

I added these pictures to feed my idea of how beautiful diving will be. As yet, I have no idea. But from the training videos, it looks pretty amazing - shoals of fish everywhere, coral, massive sea plants to get entangled in, and even the odd shark nosing past (do not disturb). I can't wait!


My novel about painting, criminality, and the greatest art forger of the twentieth century!

My novel about painting, criminality, and the greatest art forger of the twentieth century!
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My novel about London, murder, mayhem, and a female killer!

My novel about London, murder, mayhem, and a female killer!
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My novel about running, Princeton University, and a conman who lost it all!

My novel about running, Princeton University, and a conman who lost it all!
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My novel about love, betrayal and chess in New Orleans

My novel about love, betrayal and chess in New Orleans
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My semi-autobiographical novel about a very British education and becoming an American!

My semi-autobiographical novel about a very British education and becoming an American!
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My novel about London, murder, mayhem, and a female killer!

My novel about London, murder, mayhem, and a female killer!
Please click the cover!