Paul Knott
@paulknott11.bsky.social
Dockworker turned diplomat. Now, writer of 'The Accidental Diplomat'. Foreign policy for numerous outlets, including BBC radio at odd hours of the night. Rugby League & music fan.
It's another lovely late Autumn afternoon here in New England.
November 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
It's another lovely late Autumn afternoon here in New England.
I'd have loved to have been watching the Rugby League Ashes test instead. But American Football at Harvard is an interesting alternative. Some of the surprisingly colourful language I've overheard did at least remind me of watching @hullfcofficial.bsky.social at the Boulevard back in the old days.
November 1, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I'd have loved to have been watching the Rugby League Ashes test instead. But American Football at Harvard is an interesting alternative. Some of the surprisingly colourful language I've overheard did at least remind me of watching @hullfcofficial.bsky.social at the Boulevard back in the old days.
That was a first. There was a college water polo game on in the big pool at MIT, whilst I was swimming in the smaller one. I've never exercised to the sound of a student brass band playing The Monkee's "I'm a Believer" at full volume before. Recommended. It encouraged me to do two extra lengths.🎺🎷
November 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM
That was a first. There was a college water polo game on in the big pool at MIT, whilst I was swimming in the smaller one. I've never exercised to the sound of a student brass band playing The Monkee's "I'm a Believer" at full volume before. Recommended. It encouraged me to do two extra lengths.🎺🎷
I'm delighted to be at the @bostonbruins.bsky.social game tonight against the, er, "Anaheim Mighty Ducks". Not sure if the visitors should have gone with a starting lineup of Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey & Louie. But I guess their coach isn't quackers (etc., etc....)
October 23, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I'm delighted to be at the @bostonbruins.bsky.social game tonight against the, er, "Anaheim Mighty Ducks". Not sure if the visitors should have gone with a starting lineup of Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey & Louie. But I guess their coach isn't quackers (etc., etc....)
@hco96.bsky.social's "A Flower Traveled in My Blood" is a brilliant book about the horrors of Argentina's 1970's military junta & the incredible Abuelas (Grandmothers) de Plaza de Mayo. If you have people this brave & dedicated to bending it, then that arc really can be shifted towards justice.
October 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM
@hco96.bsky.social's "A Flower Traveled in My Blood" is a brilliant book about the horrors of Argentina's 1970's military junta & the incredible Abuelas (Grandmothers) de Plaza de Mayo. If you have people this brave & dedicated to bending it, then that arc really can be shifted towards justice.
I went to see Elvis Costello & the Imposters tonight. They finished with "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding." Fair point.
September 23, 2025 at 2:35 AM
I went to see Elvis Costello & the Imposters tonight. They finished with "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding." Fair point.
Another lovely evening in Boston.
September 21, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Another lovely evening in Boston.
Summer is still clinging on here on the Boston Riviera. Have a great weekend everyone.
September 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Summer is still clinging on here on the Boston Riviera. Have a great weekend everyone.
This is a lovely thing they do in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Almost every little square or street junction has one of these signs, naming them in memory of regular members of the local community.
September 12, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is a lovely thing they do in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Almost every little square or street junction has one of these signs, naming them in memory of regular members of the local community.
Probably more than ever in the current political circumstances, we should never forget. There are many of these signs all over Cambridge, Massachussetts commemorating those Americans who gave their lives to help to save us in Europe & Asia from fascism.
September 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Probably more than ever in the current political circumstances, we should never forget. There are many of these signs all over Cambridge, Massachussetts commemorating those Americans who gave their lives to help to save us in Europe & Asia from fascism.
It's hard to believe that @hullfcofficial.bsky.social's magnificent 2005 Challenge Cup Final triumph against a great Leeds team was 20 years ago today. The clue is in the date, I suppose. @forty20live.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
It's hard to believe that @hullfcofficial.bsky.social's magnificent 2005 Challenge Cup Final triumph against a great Leeds team was 20 years ago today. The clue is in the date, I suppose. @forty20live.bsky.social
Tonight's Detroit City game started with a water balloon fight in the crowd and ended 20 minutes early with us getting even more soaked by a massive thunderstorm, as the players ran for cover to the tune of Rihanna's "Umbrella" over the tannoy. All good fun.
August 24, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Tonight's Detroit City game started with a water balloon fight in the crowd and ended 20 minutes early with us getting even more soaked by a massive thunderstorm, as the players ran for cover to the tune of Rihanna's "Umbrella" over the tannoy. All good fun.
I enjoyed "Cast No Shadow", the latest crime novel from the godfather of @hullnoir.bsky.social, @nickquantrill.bsky.social - complete with one deeply disconcerting main character being my namesake. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental....or is it?
July 31, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I enjoyed "Cast No Shadow", the latest crime novel from the godfather of @hullnoir.bsky.social, @nickquantrill.bsky.social - complete with one deeply disconcerting main character being my namesake. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental....or is it?
"It Happened Like This" by Vicky Foster is brilliant. Written with an unorthodox structure that perfectly fits a story of lives damaged by horrific male violence & restored by love and bravery. Real, sustained bravery, rather than brief bursts of reckless courage.
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
July 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
"It Happened Like This" by Vicky Foster is brilliant. Written with an unorthodox structure that perfectly fits a story of lives damaged by horrific male violence & restored by love and bravery. Real, sustained bravery, rather than brief bursts of reckless courage.
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
I'm stranded in Mombasa for an extra week due to a back injury. Swings and roundabouts, I guess.
July 30, 2025 at 11:43 AM
I'm stranded in Mombasa for an extra week due to a back injury. Swings and roundabouts, I guess.
"Z" - a brilliant Greek political novel from the 1960s, based on real events & the murderous actions of violent fascists. It should be a period piece but is more relevant today than would be ideal.
July 24, 2025 at 7:20 AM
"Z" - a brilliant Greek political novel from the 1960s, based on real events & the murderous actions of violent fascists. It should be a period piece but is more relevant today than would be ideal.
Switzerland - where there is a postcard scene around every corner.
June 6, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Switzerland - where there is a postcard scene around every corner.
Those Reform Party press conference promises in full:-
May 28, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Those Reform Party press conference promises in full:-
Those Reform Party press conference promises in full:-
May 28, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Those Reform Party press conference promises in full:-
As parliament buildings go, Switzerland's in Bern is a particularly nice one.
May 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
As parliament buildings go, Switzerland's in Bern is a particularly nice one.
"We stand for respect, tolerance & openess to the world". Got to love the philosophy of @fcwinterthur.bsky.social . (Their back four could do with being a touch less welcoming than it has been so far today though).
May 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"We stand for respect, tolerance & openess to the world". Got to love the philosophy of @fcwinterthur.bsky.social . (Their back four could do with being a touch less welcoming than it has been so far today though).
Lovely urban sunset behind Letzigrund at FC Zurich v. FC Winterthur tonight.
May 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Lovely urban sunset behind Letzigrund at FC Zurich v. FC Winterthur tonight.
Not the biggest crowd for FC Zurich v. FC Winterthur tonight but those that are here are making a decent racket.
May 13, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Not the biggest crowd for FC Zurich v. FC Winterthur tonight but those that are here are making a decent racket.
I hadn't come across much Greek literature before. But having read these two classics bought on a recent visit there, I will be back for more.
May 12, 2025 at 7:01 PM
I hadn't come across much Greek literature before. But having read these two classics bought on a recent visit there, I will be back for more.
It's a strange place, for me at least, to be spending Saturday night celebrating Hull City avoiding relegation. But this is the view from the balcony of Zurich Opera House.
May 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
It's a strange place, for me at least, to be spending Saturday night celebrating Hull City avoiding relegation. But this is the view from the balcony of Zurich Opera House.