Alan Russell
Bio
When you read my words they may not be perfect but I hope they:
1. Engage you
2. Entertain you
3. At least make you smile (Omar's Diaries) or
4. Think about this crazy world we live in and
5. Never accept anything at face value
Stories (210/0)
Britain's Press Freedom 2010 -2024
The UK’s ranking in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) was 19th in 2010 and to date in 2024 the ranking was 23rd. So, not really a disaster in terms of press freedom but it is what happened in the intervening years and the overall stasis in the ranking that causes concern.
By Alan Russell5 days ago in The Swamp
Omar's Diary to 9th March 2024
I could hardly believe it earlier today when Ticker, my personal turf accountant, popped by to remind me that the 2024 Cheltenham National Hunt Festival starts this week. We offered him a generous lunch and some libations but he refused. He excused himself on the grounds that he had to collect some rather large outstanding accounts from some 'faces' around his 'manor'.
By Alan Russell4 months ago in Journal
Coddiwompling around Whitechapel
After a tube journey from Waterloo to Whitechapel in dreary yellowy half-light we came to the surface like moles breaking out from their underground tunnelling. Wide eyed and blinking, our eyes adjusted to the bright spring sunshine and kaleidoscope of colours around us. We had surfaced into the middle of one of London’s richest multicultural environs. It felt like changing from monochrome TV to colour.
By Alan Russell4 months ago in Wander
Well, I didn't know the ferry was moving
For one of my birthdays my wife gave me a day’s yachting experience sailing out of Lymington, across to the Isle of Wight and back. After a champagne and pasta lunch anchored off of the Isle of Wight it was my turn to take the helm and as there was no wind we had to travel under power.
By Alan Russell4 months ago in Journal
Having a quiet walk in Coventry and swimming pigs
By the time I checked into a hotel on the outskirts of Coventry I had been travelling and working with the same group of people for about four weeks. Travelling together in the same car, working in the same offices, staying at the same hotels, and sharing meals. Sometimes, for me at least, it is just essential for the preservation of my own sanity to break away and do something on my own. A chance to take in some fresh air, stretch my legs, look back on the day and think about home.
By Alan Russell4 months ago in Wander
A masterpiece of a car book to enjoy
While staying at the DoubleTree Hilton at Milton Common near Oxford I found this glamorous looking book in the library. It was not a difficult choice to make between Macauley's History of England Volume 1 or this glamorous tome. How could any car lover not be tempted by that front cover picture of an Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato? I was, and enjoyed sitting in a quiet lounge at the hotel with a glass of malt doing just that.
By Alan Russell5 months ago in Wheel
Bracklesham Bay in Sussex
Bracklesham Bay has not prostituted itself to the plasticised consumerism of larger seaside resorts. That is in the form of of buckets, spades and arm bands. The beach might be something to do with this consumerist understatement. It is one steep bank of grey shingle and only when the tide is out is there any sand which is not golden but a dark brown.
By Alan Russell5 months ago in Journal
Omar's Diary to 31st January 24
Christmas and New Year are well behind us as well as the month of January. My most memorable present last year came from one of my Servants' friends. Bearing in mind my sophistication, knowledge and ability to turn a good phrase every so often, I think it was chosen extremely well. I will let you decide if it is suitable or not. It has pride of place above my dining area here at Omar Towers.
By Alan Russell5 months ago in Journal
