Helen Watson Travel Writer
@helenwatsonwriter.bsky.social
Nature, people & travel on the edge. My first book 'Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road' about a 15,000 km bike ride through Syria, Iran, Turkey and Central Asia is coming soon! https://www.helenwatsonwriting.com/home
Did a round of Edinburgh's fantastic independent bookshops at the weekend with advanced info for Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road. Here @typewronger.bsky.social ❤️ #travelwriting #silkroad #syria #iran #centralasia #cycletouring #poetry #refugeeissues #whatwebringhome 🚲🫖🐪🌴🚲
November 11, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Did a round of Edinburgh's fantastic independent bookshops at the weekend with advanced info for Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road. Here @typewronger.bsky.social ❤️ #travelwriting #silkroad #syria #iran #centralasia #cycletouring #poetry #refugeeissues #whatwebringhome 🚲🫖🐪🌴🚲
'Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road' is coming soon! #Syria #Türkiye #Iran #CentralAsia #Uzbekistan #Tajikistan #SilkRoad #CycleTouring #TravelWriting #Poetry
Please 🚴 this way to find out more and sign-up to alerts: www.helenwatsonwriting.com/home
Please 🚴 this way to find out more and sign-up to alerts: www.helenwatsonwriting.com/home
October 27, 2025 at 7:49 PM
'Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road' is coming soon! #Syria #Türkiye #Iran #CentralAsia #Uzbekistan #Tajikistan #SilkRoad #CycleTouring #TravelWriting #Poetry
Please 🚴 this way to find out more and sign-up to alerts: www.helenwatsonwriting.com/home
Please 🚴 this way to find out more and sign-up to alerts: www.helenwatsonwriting.com/home
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
A great joy last night to present Elif Safak with the @stanfordstravel.bsky.social Prize for the Best Fiction Book with a Sense of Place - for her wonderful There Are Rivers In The Sky. A great night supported by @vikingcruises.bsky.social
March 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
A great joy last night to present Elif Safak with the @stanfordstravel.bsky.social Prize for the Best Fiction Book with a Sense of Place - for her wonderful There Are Rivers In The Sky. A great night supported by @vikingcruises.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
It is with great sadness to hear that the great Tim Radford has died. He was, unequivocally, the best science journalist, and a kind and generous man. I used his Manifesto for the Simple Scribe in lectures for student this very week. It’s faultless.
www.theguardian.com/science/blog...
www.theguardian.com/science/blog...
A manifesto for the simple scribe – my 25 commandments for journalists | Tim Radford
Former Guardian science editor, letters editor, arts editor and literary editor Tim Radford has condensed his journalistic experience into a handy set of rules for aspiring hacks
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2025 at 11:20 AM
It is with great sadness to hear that the great Tim Radford has died. He was, unequivocally, the best science journalist, and a kind and generous man. I used his Manifesto for the Simple Scribe in lectures for student this very week. It’s faultless.
www.theguardian.com/science/blog...
www.theguardian.com/science/blog...
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
If only there were a book, I hear you say, about the reality of the special relationship and the folly of relying on the Americans as allies.
March 1, 2025 at 7:48 AM
If only there were a book, I hear you say, about the reality of the special relationship and the folly of relying on the Americans as allies.
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
The best short piece I've read on Trump's new Predator America- Brilliant and crucially important @FT editorial
America has turned on its friends - on.ft.com/3ERSO6o via @FT
America has turned on its friends - on.ft.com/3ERSO6o via @FT
February 24, 2025 at 3:36 AM
The best short piece I've read on Trump's new Predator America- Brilliant and crucially important @FT editorial
America has turned on its friends - on.ft.com/3ERSO6o via @FT
America has turned on its friends - on.ft.com/3ERSO6o via @FT
Highly recommend this lovely book about learning to embrace winter.
My thoughts on While The Earth Holds Its Breath by Helen Moat and published by @saraband-books.bsky.social . Thank you to @beckreads.bsky.social for sending me a copy to read:
halfmanhalfbook.co.uk/review/while...
halfmanhalfbook.co.uk/review/while...
February 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Highly recommend this lovely book about learning to embrace winter.
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
After years of censorship, once-banned books are now resurfacing in Damascus, marking a new chapter of freedom in a city that was once controlled by fear 👇
With Assad gone, Syrian booksellers revive once-forbidden books
After years of censorship, once-banned books are now resurfacing in Damascus, marking a new chapter of freedom in a city that was once controlled by fear
www.newarab.com
February 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
After years of censorship, once-banned books are now resurfacing in Damascus, marking a new chapter of freedom in a city that was once controlled by fear 👇
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
This Is Just To Say
I have eaten
the books
that were in
the library
and which
you were probably
saving
for dessert
Forgive me
they were nutritious
so ink
and so paper
I have eaten
the books
that were in
the library
and which
you were probably
saving
for dessert
Forgive me
they were nutritious
so ink
and so paper
February 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This Is Just To Say
I have eaten
the books
that were in
the library
and which
you were probably
saving
for dessert
Forgive me
they were nutritious
so ink
and so paper
I have eaten
the books
that were in
the library
and which
you were probably
saving
for dessert
Forgive me
they were nutritious
so ink
and so paper
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
We are alarmed and shocked by the arrest and detainment of our author and colleague Mahmoud Muna, along with his nephew Ahmad Muna, owners and booksellers of Jerusalem’s Educational Bookshop.
Please share our statement below widely.
Please share our statement below widely.
February 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
We are alarmed and shocked by the arrest and detainment of our author and colleague Mahmoud Muna, along with his nephew Ahmad Muna, owners and booksellers of Jerusalem’s Educational Bookshop.
Please share our statement below widely.
Please share our statement below widely.
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
🚨 LIVESTREAM 🚨
The Future of Syria 🇸🇾
Rory & Alastair are joined by Syria expert, David McCloskey, to dissect their recent interview with the new President of Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and what it all means for the future of the Middle East.
🗓️ Friday 14th February
⏰ 3pm UK time
Link below 👇
The Future of Syria 🇸🇾
Rory & Alastair are joined by Syria expert, David McCloskey, to dissect their recent interview with the new President of Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and what it all means for the future of the Middle East.
🗓️ Friday 14th February
⏰ 3pm UK time
Link below 👇
February 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
🚨 LIVESTREAM 🚨
The Future of Syria 🇸🇾
Rory & Alastair are joined by Syria expert, David McCloskey, to dissect their recent interview with the new President of Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and what it all means for the future of the Middle East.
🗓️ Friday 14th February
⏰ 3pm UK time
Link below 👇
The Future of Syria 🇸🇾
Rory & Alastair are joined by Syria expert, David McCloskey, to dissect their recent interview with the new President of Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and what it all means for the future of the Middle East.
🗓️ Friday 14th February
⏰ 3pm UK time
Link below 👇
Always love to pop into the #UrsaMinorBakehouse for great coffee and cake and to say hi to this wonderful piece of art by Julian Friers julianfriers.com when in #Ballycastle #Pangolin
February 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Always love to pop into the #UrsaMinorBakehouse for great coffee and cake and to say hi to this wonderful piece of art by Julian Friers julianfriers.com when in #Ballycastle #Pangolin
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
Our Book of the Week is the Penguin Book of Pirates, edited by Katherine Howe - a fantastic compilation of primary sources from the golden age of high-seas banditry. Order your copy here: www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/stock/the-pe...
February 14, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Our Book of the Week is the Penguin Book of Pirates, edited by Katherine Howe - a fantastic compilation of primary sources from the golden age of high-seas banditry. Order your copy here: www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/stock/the-pe...
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
There were never strawberries
like the ones we had
that sultry afternoon
sitting on the step
of the open french window…
—Edwin Morgan, “Strawberries”🍓
published in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#ValentinesDay #poetry #LGBTQ #LGBTQplusHM25 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/inde...
like the ones we had
that sultry afternoon
sitting on the step
of the open french window…
—Edwin Morgan, “Strawberries”🍓
published in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#ValentinesDay #poetry #LGBTQ #LGBTQplusHM25 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/inde...
February 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
There were never strawberries
like the ones we had
that sultry afternoon
sitting on the step
of the open french window…
—Edwin Morgan, “Strawberries”🍓
published in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#ValentinesDay #poetry #LGBTQ #LGBTQplusHM25 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/inde...
like the ones we had
that sultry afternoon
sitting on the step
of the open french window…
—Edwin Morgan, “Strawberries”🍓
published in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#ValentinesDay #poetry #LGBTQ #LGBTQplusHM25 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/inde...
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
When you go,
if you go,
and I should want to die,
there’s nothing I’d be saved by
more than the time
you fell asleep in my arms…
—Edwin Morgan, “When You Go” 🫂
in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#ValentinesDay #poetry #LGBTQ #LGBTQplusHM25 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️
www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/inde...
if you go,
and I should want to die,
there’s nothing I’d be saved by
more than the time
you fell asleep in my arms…
—Edwin Morgan, “When You Go” 🫂
in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#ValentinesDay #poetry #LGBTQ #LGBTQplusHM25 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️
www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/inde...
February 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
When you go,
if you go,
and I should want to die,
there’s nothing I’d be saved by
more than the time
you fell asleep in my arms…
—Edwin Morgan, “When You Go” 🫂
in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#ValentinesDay #poetry #LGBTQ #LGBTQplusHM25 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️
www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/inde...
if you go,
and I should want to die,
there’s nothing I’d be saved by
more than the time
you fell asleep in my arms…
—Edwin Morgan, “When You Go” 🫂
in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#ValentinesDay #poetry #LGBTQ #LGBTQplusHM25 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️
www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/inde...
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
Congratulations to the winner of the 2024 Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize, for translations into English of full-length Arabic language works.
Katharine Halls for Rotten Evidence by Ahmed Naji (McSweeney’s)
#TranslationPrizes
Katharine Halls for Rotten Evidence by Ahmed Naji (McSweeney’s)
#TranslationPrizes
February 12, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Congratulations to the winner of the 2024 Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize, for translations into English of full-length Arabic language works.
Katharine Halls for Rotten Evidence by Ahmed Naji (McSweeney’s)
#TranslationPrizes
Katharine Halls for Rotten Evidence by Ahmed Naji (McSweeney’s)
#TranslationPrizes
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
Huge response to interview with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Over 500k views Arabic version.
For subtitles
1.Turn on 'Subtitles/closed captions (c)'
2. Go to the settings cog
3. Select 'Subtitles/CC'
4. Select 'Auto Translate'
5. Choose your language from the options. youtu.be/edBAP-ihMR4
For subtitles
1.Turn on 'Subtitles/closed captions (c)'
2. Go to the settings cog
3. Select 'Subtitles/CC'
4. Select 'Auto Translate'
5. Choose your language from the options. youtu.be/edBAP-ihMR4
رئيس سوريا الجديد: أحمد الشرع
YouTube video by Leading
youtu.be
February 11, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Huge response to interview with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Over 500k views Arabic version.
For subtitles
1.Turn on 'Subtitles/closed captions (c)'
2. Go to the settings cog
3. Select 'Subtitles/CC'
4. Select 'Auto Translate'
5. Choose your language from the options. youtu.be/edBAP-ihMR4
For subtitles
1.Turn on 'Subtitles/closed captions (c)'
2. Go to the settings cog
3. Select 'Subtitles/CC'
4. Select 'Auto Translate'
5. Choose your language from the options. youtu.be/edBAP-ihMR4
Reposted by Helen Watson Travel Writer
Hi from Damascus. Fascinating interview for podcast with fighter turned president of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa. We discuss on @therestpolitics.bsky.social tomorrow and full interview on LEADING on Monday. A few fabulous trees thrown in. Pic 2 Tree of the Day. 100 years old according to the man at base
February 4, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Hi from Damascus. Fascinating interview for podcast with fighter turned president of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa. We discuss on @therestpolitics.bsky.social tomorrow and full interview on LEADING on Monday. A few fabulous trees thrown in. Pic 2 Tree of the Day. 100 years old according to the man at base
Working away in arid lands again this week. I am always struck by how green the #desert is where it is touched by #water. #travelwriting helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2012/05/true...
February 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Working away in arid lands again this week. I am always struck by how green the #desert is where it is touched by #water. #travelwriting helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2012/05/true...
Been thinking about this one recently for some reason #Brecht #TheGodofWar written about a certain WW2 dictator.
January 31, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Been thinking about this one recently for some reason #Brecht #TheGodofWar written about a certain WW2 dictator.
Coming back home over #Drumochter on the Scotrail from #Edinburgh yesterday reminded me of this, written some time ago... #Inverness ohyes 💙 helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2025/01/inve...
#Highlands #Scotland #longdistanceromance
#Highlands #Scotland #longdistanceromance
Inverness
This is what Inverness means: Sitting on the train from Edinburgh on a Friday Due in at midnight Thinking about you until Perth, Pitlochry, ...
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com
January 29, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Coming back home over #Drumochter on the Scotrail from #Edinburgh yesterday reminded me of this, written some time ago... #Inverness ohyes 💙 helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2025/01/inve...
#Highlands #Scotland #longdistanceromance
#Highlands #Scotland #longdistanceromance
I still can't quite believe that Assad is no longer in #Syria. My experience of surveillance when cycling to #Palmyra #Tadmor in 2010... before the war.
P.S. The full story is in my book (publisher wanted). #cycletouring #silkroad #travelwriting
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2017/03/dese...
P.S. The full story is in my book (publisher wanted). #cycletouring #silkroad #travelwriting
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2017/03/dese...
Desert fragments, Syria 2010
In the hour before darkness, a sense of unease always creeps in. The ideal place to camp allows a vanishing from the road into cover...
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com
January 28, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I still can't quite believe that Assad is no longer in #Syria. My experience of surveillance when cycling to #Palmyra #Tadmor in 2010... before the war.
P.S. The full story is in my book (publisher wanted). #cycletouring #silkroad #travelwriting
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2017/03/dese...
P.S. The full story is in my book (publisher wanted). #cycletouring #silkroad #travelwriting
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2017/03/dese...
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2024/11/tagh...
The #Scottish #Highlands have turned to slush today- wishing I was winter surfing in #Morocco again! #poetry #travelwriting
The #Scottish #Highlands have turned to slush today- wishing I was winter surfing in #Morocco again! #poetry #travelwriting
Taghazout migrants
The sea has saved us from suicide or drink or office work in the commuter towns of Northern Europe a twilight world of winter fog almost b...
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com
January 27, 2025 at 9:27 PM
helenwatsontravelwriting.blogspot.com/2024/11/tagh...
The #Scottish #Highlands have turned to slush today- wishing I was winter surfing in #Morocco again! #poetry #travelwriting
The #Scottish #Highlands have turned to slush today- wishing I was winter surfing in #Morocco again! #poetry #travelwriting