Kia ora! That sounds like an amazing suite of activities to stay engaged in.
Would love to hear about that Camino. We recently did the Kumano Kodo in Japan in February, which is paired with the Camino de Santiago for the Dual Pilgrimage. Would love to collect stamps in Spain as well one day!
Yes, it was fantastic, and there were like 10 people on each day's walk in the middle of February... I've been to Japan 3 times in the last 3 years, though one of those three times I was there for a specific event in Tokyo and didn't see much.
One more oddly fascinating podcast, old but very occasionally adds a episode. Episode One is a wild ride if you liked 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy':
The Boring Talks | James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting... maybe.
Alan I laughed out loud. I’m sure there’s a book in you! Don’t tell us you haven’t thought about it! 🤗 My favourite podcast is Armchair Expert: 2 long form interviews a week. One could be an academic and one could be from the entertainment space. The depth of dialogue, vulnerability along with laughter make it so refreshing.
Thanks Donna - a book has not been considered, ever, although some have said they'd like to read about my life 🤣. I'll check out Armchair Expert - it sounds good.
Great to see you back, Driver! When I'm in WLG (not very often, unfortunately) I make a point of driving out to the end of Ophiro Bay Parade to marvel at the ocean and (especially) the last house before the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre. You might like it.
Could to see you are keeping busy Alan, and thanks for the podcast recommendations, I'll keep an ear out for your reviews on the wireless (tho' probably later in a podcast tbh). There are the great US ones like This American Life and 99% Invisible, but for the quirky and interesting, I can't go past another Substacker David Farrier (Webworm) and his Flightless Bird. His journeys in America are often funny and quirky, but venture into serious territory as well - the most recent episode interviewing the Canadian woman detained by ICE was an eye-opener. It was also a good reflection on how David works, personal experiences of himself and others that help explain the big picture. Worth a listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TY5qJWU2bH9DSX9Gsx8VN?si=ieZw7G_oTmiOGo_HOQsd_g
Thanks Graham. The pods that you mention will, I'm sure, have been reviewed by others. I subscribe to David Farrier and love his work. Thanks for reading mine. I greatly appreciate it.
Max & David's Sunday episode is with a guest, usually Brit comedy related because Max never books anyone, saying exactly what they did yesterday. Love their tag line:
'Even if the best day of your entire life was the day before yesterday, we don't want to know".
The S2 EP9 Tom Rosenthal episode is crazy, he compiled a 23 page document of his day you can download that along with the episode. But it is best listened to after hearing S2 EP4: Rhys James as he is also mentioned on that, extensively, and there are many callbacks to it in Tom's own episode.
Their Tuesday 'What did We Do Yesterday' episodes are them talking about the previous show, listener letters, a cheese master-rind game, life in general, and what they did yesterday. Has a bit of a global (more local) feel as, although British and comments on British Football for BBC Radio, Max lives in Melbourne.
---------,
My Time Capsule
A podcast that asks guests, such as Stephen Fry, David Mitchell, Caroline Quentin, Ross Noble, Lee Mack, Arabella Weir & Rob Brydon, for five things which they’d like to put in a Time Capsule. They can choose anything from an item, to a memory, a film or even a country. Four of them are things they want to preserve but one has to be something they’re happy to bury and never have to think about again.
Michael Fenton Stevens is one of those actors that if you don't instantly recognise the name, you almost certainly already know. The 'one they want to bury' is often the most interesting, a twist in otherwise positive memories.
Well done, you. Very enterprising. I look forward to your tales of the other Camino when you can. ... FYI (and to others) Eleanor Anstruther (who is knowledgeable about these things) says to never apologise for not posting, or for missing a deadline as it only reminds people that you haven't/didn't !!! From me, I'm glad you're back! ...I have to hurry off now to download and record the next episode of my serialised historical novel. I'd recommend it as uplifting, but that would be misleading. It is a story about survival and the power of friendship, (but with some very harrowing moments.)
Rob Harvilla is a very very funny man, and he ties very personal stories about his life as a teenager in the 90s and music from the decade. It is very, very well done. He's made me cry multiple times! They start out at like 30-45mins and end up being like 1.5 hours as the series goes on! Getting better and better. First half is a monologue, and the second half is an interview with another critic or musician. He's also started a season 2 which is about the 2000s decade now. The Vanilla Ice one had us continuously laughing for like 20mins on a road trip!
Well my actual fave podcase is Tape Notes, but it is a production geek one. But very interesting learning about how all types of albums are made, you don;t have to be a producer to find it interesting I think.
Great stuff Alan. I’m a fellow kiwi Substacker and documented my life on the streets of Wellington in 93 or so .. the story series - gutter boss rises… and STools…
Alan, this is the COSIEST post I've ever read on Substack. I'm going to click every link. You're a very generous bloke, thank you. Also, Good Wool Hunting is genius!
Very selfishly I'm thrilled you're back on here. Missed your goodwill enormously.
So good to hear you have found some wonderful new paths since returning from the Carmino and giving up bus driving. Keep those posts coming - they're great reading.
Kia ora! That sounds like an amazing suite of activities to stay engaged in.
Would love to hear about that Camino. We recently did the Kumano Kodo in Japan in February, which is paired with the Camino de Santiago for the Dual Pilgrimage. Would love to collect stamps in Spain as well one day!
Kumano Kodo sounds wonderful. We had our very first overseas trip to Japan many many moons ago. I love that country.
Yes, it was fantastic, and there were like 10 people on each day's walk in the middle of February... I've been to Japan 3 times in the last 3 years, though one of those three times I was there for a specific event in Tokyo and didn't see much.
Amazing jumper, ka pai! Happy to see you back
Great to see some of your writing again Alan, it was a pleasure to finally meet you, thanks for the shout out!
One more oddly fascinating podcast, old but very occasionally adds a episode. Episode One is a wild ride if you liked 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy':
The Boring Talks | James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting... maybe.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05t3gr2
Thanks for the recommendations Robin!
Alan I laughed out loud. I’m sure there’s a book in you! Don’t tell us you haven’t thought about it! 🤗 My favourite podcast is Armchair Expert: 2 long form interviews a week. One could be an academic and one could be from the entertainment space. The depth of dialogue, vulnerability along with laughter make it so refreshing.
Gonna check out those sub stackers! 🙏🤗
Thanks Donna - a book has not been considered, ever, although some have said they'd like to read about my life 🤣. I'll check out Armchair Expert - it sounds good.
Great to see you back, Driver! When I'm in WLG (not very often, unfortunately) I make a point of driving out to the end of Ophiro Bay Parade to marvel at the ocean and (especially) the last house before the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre. You might like it.
I must go and have a look. Thanks!
Could to see you are keeping busy Alan, and thanks for the podcast recommendations, I'll keep an ear out for your reviews on the wireless (tho' probably later in a podcast tbh). There are the great US ones like This American Life and 99% Invisible, but for the quirky and interesting, I can't go past another Substacker David Farrier (Webworm) and his Flightless Bird. His journeys in America are often funny and quirky, but venture into serious territory as well - the most recent episode interviewing the Canadian woman detained by ICE was an eye-opener. It was also a good reflection on how David works, personal experiences of himself and others that help explain the big picture. Worth a listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TY5qJWU2bH9DSX9Gsx8VN?si=ieZw7G_oTmiOGo_HOQsd_g
Thanks Graham. The pods that you mention will, I'm sure, have been reviewed by others. I subscribe to David Farrier and love his work. Thanks for reading mine. I greatly appreciate it.
Great to hear about your new direction! You’ve been pretty busy 😊
It's good to be busy, otherwise there's a risk of fading away. Thanks for being a subscriber!
Great to see you posting again, love to hear about the great walk.
A couple of pods l love, mostly humerous, always entertaining:
---------
What Did You Do Yesterday? with Max Rushden & David O'Doherty
A podcast where people tell us what they did yesterday....
https://pca.st/c4dg5874
Max & David's Sunday episode is with a guest, usually Brit comedy related because Max never books anyone, saying exactly what they did yesterday. Love their tag line:
'Even if the best day of your entire life was the day before yesterday, we don't want to know".
The S2 EP9 Tom Rosenthal episode is crazy, he compiled a 23 page document of his day you can download that along with the episode. But it is best listened to after hearing S2 EP4: Rhys James as he is also mentioned on that, extensively, and there are many callbacks to it in Tom's own episode.
Their Tuesday 'What did We Do Yesterday' episodes are them talking about the previous show, listener letters, a cheese master-rind game, life in general, and what they did yesterday. Has a bit of a global (more local) feel as, although British and comments on British Football for BBC Radio, Max lives in Melbourne.
---------,
My Time Capsule
A podcast that asks guests, such as Stephen Fry, David Mitchell, Caroline Quentin, Ross Noble, Lee Mack, Arabella Weir & Rob Brydon, for five things which they’d like to put in a Time Capsule. They can choose anything from an item, to a memory, a film or even a country. Four of them are things they want to preserve but one has to be something they’re happy to bury and never have to think about again.
Hosted by Michael Fenton Stevens.
https://pca.st/f8zhrp5k
Michael Fenton Stevens is one of those actors that if you don't instantly recognise the name, you almost certainly already know. The 'one they want to bury' is often the most interesting, a twist in otherwise positive memories.
Both of those podcasts sound interesting. I'll definitely check them out. Thanks again Robin.
Well done, you. Very enterprising. I look forward to your tales of the other Camino when you can. ... FYI (and to others) Eleanor Anstruther (who is knowledgeable about these things) says to never apologise for not posting, or for missing a deadline as it only reminds people that you haven't/didn't !!! From me, I'm glad you're back! ...I have to hurry off now to download and record the next episode of my serialised historical novel. I'd recommend it as uplifting, but that would be misleading. It is a story about survival and the power of friendship, (but with some very harrowing moments.)
Yes, I take your point, so I'm sorry for apologising 🤣. Never again!
🤣🤣🤣
My fave podcast is 60 songs about the 90s'. https://open.spotify.com/show/0njxeKJKFtoJhCRF1ShmL4?si=44251665d3474020
Rob Harvilla is a very very funny man, and he ties very personal stories about his life as a teenager in the 90s and music from the decade. It is very, very well done. He's made me cry multiple times! They start out at like 30-45mins and end up being like 1.5 hours as the series goes on! Getting better and better. First half is a monologue, and the second half is an interview with another critic or musician. He's also started a season 2 which is about the 2000s decade now. The Vanilla Ice one had us continuously laughing for like 20mins on a road trip!
Well my actual fave podcase is Tape Notes, but it is a production geek one. But very interesting learning about how all types of albums are made, you don;t have to be a producer to find it interesting I think.
Thanks Joe, good recommendations!!
So much to whet my whistle! Thanks for your generosity in sharing it all. And your blanket is gorge! Off to listen to Strangers On a Bench.
Thanks Eleanor, enjoy SOAB!!
Great stuff Alan. I’m a fellow kiwi Substacker and documented my life on the streets of Wellington in 93 or so .. the story series - gutter boss rises… and STools…
Keep up the good work !
Thanks for this - I have subscribed!!
Alan, this is the COSIEST post I've ever read on Substack. I'm going to click every link. You're a very generous bloke, thank you. Also, Good Wool Hunting is genius!
Very selfishly I'm thrilled you're back on here. Missed your goodwill enormously.
Thanks Leah, it's often such a struggle for me to write, but I'm glad to have brightened your day. Please, don't click every link 🤣
So good to hear you have found some wonderful new paths since returning from the Carmino and giving up bus driving. Keep those posts coming - they're great reading.
Oh, thanks so much Caryl ❤️