Nigel White
@whitenigel.bsky.social
Reposted by Nigel White
Opera, iron works, coal mines, a castle, an a beautiful house with a sad history. As well as a potted history of Upper Silesia thrown in for good measure. All in the latest Europe Explored blog post.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/12/08/c...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/12/08/c...
City Visit – Katowice and Ostrava
“Oh moon in the deep sky,your light sees far,you roam over the wide world,and peer into human dwellings.”(Rusalka – Song to the Moon) In the summer, shortly after I had returned f…
europeexplored.travel.blog
December 8, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Opera, iron works, coal mines, a castle, an a beautiful house with a sad history. As well as a potted history of Upper Silesia thrown in for good measure. All in the latest Europe Explored blog post.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/12/08/c...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/12/08/c...
Reposted by Nigel White
My account of revisiting a city where 42 years ago I just managed to see the area immediately outside the station, a long train ride with 51 stops, an ancient tiny cross-border train, seeing a car crushing a tank, and a central European city with many Ottoman buildings.
Europe Explored – Trip 19 – Here, There and Everywhere – Part Two: Zagreb, Osijek, Pécs and Budapest
“Bez cilja i nada mi smo samo mjerači vremena.” (“Without goals and hope, we are just measurers of time.” – Ranko Marinković (Croatian novelist) Continuing the account…
europeexplored.travel.blog
November 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
My account of revisiting a city where 42 years ago I just managed to see the area immediately outside the station, a long train ride with 51 stops, an ancient tiny cross-border train, seeing a car crushing a tank, and a central European city with many Ottoman buildings.
Reposted by Nigel White
The first half of my recent whirlwind tour. Featuring opera, trains, planes, castles and sausage.
Europe Explored – Trip 19 – Here, There and Everywhere – Part One: Gothenburg, Prague, Graz and Maribor
“The diversity of the phenomena of nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in the heavens so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.R…
europeexplored.travel.blog
November 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The first half of my recent whirlwind tour. Featuring opera, trains, planes, castles and sausage.
Reposted by Nigel White
A little belatedly, an account of the Estonian leg of my recent trip to the Baltic States. Featuring, amongst other things, a base for long-range strategic bombers, the national bank, and a Czar's rather modest cottage.
Europe Explored – Trip 18 – The Baltic States – Part Three: Estonia
“Kes otsib, see leiab” (He who seeks shall find) – Estonian proverb Continuing the account, with the third and final part, of the recent trip I took with my wife to the Baltic Sta…
europeexplored.travel.blog
October 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A little belatedly, an account of the Estonian leg of my recent trip to the Baltic States. Featuring, amongst other things, a base for long-range strategic bombers, the national bank, and a Czar's rather modest cottage.
Reposted by Nigel White
Continuing the account of my recent time time in the Baltic states. In Latvia, we go in search of a Latvian World Champion, encounter the Finnish President, and go shopping in some re-purposed Zeppelin hangers.
Europe Explored – Trip 18 – The Baltic States – Part Two: Latvia
“You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one.” (Mikhail Tal – Latvian Chess World Champion) Continuing the account of…
europeexplored.travel.blog
October 6, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Continuing the account of my recent time time in the Baltic states. In Latvia, we go in search of a Latvian World Champion, encounter the Finnish President, and go shopping in some re-purposed Zeppelin hangers.
Reposted by Nigel White
Taking it to the limit - the extremities of London's bus network. Including snippets on the history of administrative areas, a Pre-Raphaelite painting and the mixed success of those trying to travel by bus without means of payment.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/30/t...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/30/t...
The extremities of the London bus network
“Take it to the limit one more time.” (The Eagles) Having circumnavigated London using the Superloop network of buses the previous month, which took just 7¼ hours, I felt like taking on…
europeexplored.travel.blog
July 30, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Taking it to the limit - the extremities of London's bus network. Including snippets on the history of administrative areas, a Pre-Raphaelite painting and the mixed success of those trying to travel by bus without means of payment.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/30/t...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/30/t...
Reposted by Nigel White
Two cities, one opera, another composer's birthplace, some very dark history, lots of calculating machines, a small fire, a cathedral, Roman remains - all in less than three days.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/15/c...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/15/c...
City Visit – Bonn and Cologne
“Zum Ziele führt dich diese Bahn” (“This path leads you to your goal”) – from Die Zauberflöte I had been due to attend a wedding on 11th July, but sadly this had been …
europeexplored.travel.blog
July 15, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Two cities, one opera, another composer's birthplace, some very dark history, lots of calculating machines, a small fire, a cathedral, Roman remains - all in less than three days.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/15/c...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/15/c...
Reposted by Nigel White
My guess was correct - the Bayeux Tapestry will be displayed in the British Museum next year.
I very much doubt that if I go and see it there that I will be the only visitor, as I was in Bayeux in 2021 in the brief period that year when travel to France was allowed.
I very much doubt that if I go and see it there that I will be the only visitor, as I was in Bayeux in 2021 in the brief period that year when travel to France was allowed.
July 8, 2025 at 3:32 PM
My guess was correct - the Bayeux Tapestry will be displayed in the British Museum next year.
I very much doubt that if I go and see it there that I will be the only visitor, as I was in Bayeux in 2021 in the brief period that year when travel to France was allowed.
I very much doubt that if I go and see it there that I will be the only visitor, as I was in Bayeux in 2021 in the brief period that year when travel to France was allowed.
Reposted by Nigel White
No inside knowledge, but ...
President Macron arrives in the UK tomorrow for a 3-day state visit.
There appears to be a gap in his itinerary on Wednesday afternoon.
Very unusually the British museum is shut for the day on Wednesday.
My guess is he will he will announce a loan of the Bayeux Tapestry.
President Macron arrives in the UK tomorrow for a 3-day state visit.
There appears to be a gap in his itinerary on Wednesday afternoon.
Very unusually the British museum is shut for the day on Wednesday.
My guess is he will he will announce a loan of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Europe Explored – Trip 1 – From Cornwall to Normandy
“Nous avons besoin de la sagesse normande”(‘What we need is common sense’, once translated literally in the European Parliament as ‘what we need is Norman Wisdom’…
europeexplored.travel.blog
July 7, 2025 at 8:48 PM
No inside knowledge, but ...
President Macron arrives in the UK tomorrow for a 3-day state visit.
There appears to be a gap in his itinerary on Wednesday afternoon.
Very unusually the British museum is shut for the day on Wednesday.
My guess is he will he will announce a loan of the Bayeux Tapestry.
President Macron arrives in the UK tomorrow for a 3-day state visit.
There appears to be a gap in his itinerary on Wednesday afternoon.
Very unusually the British museum is shut for the day on Wednesday.
My guess is he will he will announce a loan of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Reposted by Nigel White
How long does it take to circumnavigate London by bus? It was much quicker than I thought possible.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/01/s...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/01/s...
Superlooping – circumnavigating London by bus
“Here we go round the mulberry bush.” (Nursery rhyme) In 2024 I celebrated gaining my Freedom Pass, allowing free bus travel within England, by making a cost free journey from Mancheste…
europeexplored.travel.blog
July 1, 2025 at 10:35 AM
How long does it take to circumnavigate London by bus? It was much quicker than I thought possible.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/01/s...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/07/01/s...
Reposted by Nigel White
Last week's flying visit to a rainy Gothenburg to see a brilliant Madama Butterfly.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/05/28/a...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/05/28/a...
Another visit to Gothenburg Opera
“Ieri son salita tutta sola” (“Yesterday I went alone”) Madama Butterfly Having enjoyed so much my flying visit to see Carmen at the Gothenburg Opera in August 2024, I decid…
europeexplored.travel.blog
May 28, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Last week's flying visit to a rainy Gothenburg to see a brilliant Madama Butterfly.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/05/28/a...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/05/28/a...
Reposted by Nigel White
Polar exploration, jute, estuary defences, a 19th century frigate, a hill to climb, and the V&A. There is plenty to do in a couple of days in Dundee.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/05/10/city-visit-dundee/
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/05/10/city-visit-dundee/
City Visit – Dundee
“Oh, Bonnie Dundee! I will sing in thy praiseA few but true simple lays,Regarding some of your beauties of the present dayAnd virtually speaking, there’s none can them gainsay;There’s no othe…
europeexplored.travel.blog
May 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Polar exploration, jute, estuary defences, a 19th century frigate, a hill to climb, and the V&A. There is plenty to do in a couple of days in Dundee.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/05/10/city-visit-dundee/
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/05/10/city-visit-dundee/
Reposted by Nigel White
Travelling through France, where I don't have a vision of cosmogonic ecstasy, but do experience a Proustian involuntary memory. I also travel on an empty 'full' train, get covered in confetti, and learn that Basil Fawlty could have been right after all.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/03/26/e...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/03/26/e...
Europe Explored – Trip 16 – Return from Catalonia – Part Two: France
“With a hop, skip and a jump” This post continues the account of my journey from Barcelona to London, covering my time in France. I had been in South West France on two of my previous E…
europeexplored.travel.blog
March 26, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Travelling through France, where I don't have a vision of cosmogonic ecstasy, but do experience a Proustian involuntary memory. I also travel on an empty 'full' train, get covered in confetti, and learn that Basil Fawlty could have been right after all.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/03/26/e...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/03/26/e...
Reposted by Nigel White
The start of my recent journey from Catalonia. Featuring a magic square, an Eiffel Bridge and a wide cathedral.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/03/19/europe-explored-trip-16-return-from-catalonia-part-one-spain/
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/03/19/europe-explored-trip-16-return-from-catalonia-part-one-spain/
Europe Explored – Trip 16 – Return from Catalonia – Part One: Spain
“Homage to Catalonia“ (George Orwell) This trip was designed to weave together some places I had not been to before, some I had been to a very long time ago, and some from more recently where I had…
europeexplored.travel.blog
March 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The start of my recent journey from Catalonia. Featuring a magic square, an Eiffel Bridge and a wide cathedral.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/03/19/europe-explored-trip-16-return-from-catalonia-part-one-spain/
europeexplored.travel.blog/2025/03/19/europe-explored-trip-16-return-from-catalonia-part-one-spain/
Reposted by Nigel White
For the purpose of research for a future trip, I went this morning to the National Gallery's new exhibition: Siena 1300-1350. (While at the National Gallery, I couldn't resist also reacquainting myself with their impressionist collection - including Pissarro's views of Sydenham and Upper Norwood).
March 17, 2025 at 12:56 PM
For the purpose of research for a future trip, I went this morning to the National Gallery's new exhibition: Siena 1300-1350. (While at the National Gallery, I couldn't resist also reacquainting myself with their impressionist collection - including Pissarro's views of Sydenham and Upper Norwood).
I have finally decided that I will no longer be posting on Twitter - so this will be only social media account for my random thoughts.
February 25, 2025 at 10:15 AM
I have finally decided that I will no longer be posting on Twitter - so this will be only social media account for my random thoughts.
An eye-opening evening with @sayeedawarsi.bsky.social on the ingrained prejudice towards Muslims. I learned a lot, caused me to think, and I was very impressed with the way she presented her argument.
Tonight is the third in our new series of lectures celebrating Peter Hennessy’s life and work.
We’re delighted to welcome @sayeedawarsi.bsky.social to @qmul.ac.uk for a lively discussion of Islam and Islamophobia in modern Britain. Thank you to @onslies.bsky.social and everyone who has joined us!
We’re delighted to welcome @sayeedawarsi.bsky.social to @qmul.ac.uk for a lively discussion of Islam and Islamophobia in modern Britain. Thank you to @onslies.bsky.social and everyone who has joined us!
The @mileendinstitute.bsky.social continues to fill up big rooms! Today for the third of the Hennessy lectures with Baroness Sayeeda Warsi.
February 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
An eye-opening evening with @sayeedawarsi.bsky.social on the ingrained prejudice towards Muslims. I learned a lot, caused me to think, and I was very impressed with the way she presented her argument.
I can't remember the last time I went to a West End play, but tonight I saw Dr Strangelove and thought it was exceptionally good.
January 15, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I can't remember the last time I went to a West End play, but tonight I saw Dr Strangelove and thought it was exceptionally good.
Reposted by Nigel White
The Hungarian mathematician Jànos Bolyai, who, completely independently of the Russian Nikolai Lobachevsky, developed non-Euclidean hyperbolic geometry was born in Cluj (when it was known as Kolozsvár in the Hungarian empire). I'm pleased to see Cluj has a street named after Bolyai.
October 8, 2024 at 4:45 PM
The Hungarian mathematician Jànos Bolyai, who, completely independently of the Russian Nikolai Lobachevsky, developed non-Euclidean hyperbolic geometry was born in Cluj (when it was known as Kolozsvár in the Hungarian empire). I'm pleased to see Cluj has a street named after Bolyai.
Reposted by Nigel White
A flying visit to see a wonderful Carmen:
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/09/01/c...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/09/01/c...
City Visit (Operatic interlude) – Gothenburg
"L'amour est un oiseau rebelleQue nul ne peut apprivoiser"("Love is a rebellious birdThat none can tame")Carmen In September 2023, on my EuropeExplored trip to Finland and Sweden, I went to see Nabucc...
europeexplored.travel.blog
September 1, 2024 at 5:12 PM
A flying visit to see a wonderful Carmen:
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/09/01/c...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/09/01/c...
I would have thought Tola would be tired enough after winning the marathon; but to win the climbing and modern pentathlon as well is quite amazing.
August 10, 2024 at 10:04 AM
I would have thought Tola would be tired enough after winning the marathon; but to win the climbing and modern pentathlon as well is quite amazing.
Reposted by Nigel White
An account of how last month I travelled from Manchester to Woodford for free.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/04/23/f...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/04/23/f...
Freedom Pass workout – Manchester to Woodford for free
"The best things in life are free." Having recently reached the state pensionable age of 66, my London-wide Oyster 60+ card was replaced with a Freedom Pass, which additionally gives free off-peak bus...
europeexplored.travel.blog
April 23, 2024 at 4:45 PM
An account of how last month I travelled from Manchester to Woodford for free.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/04/23/f...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/04/23/f...
Reposted by Nigel White
An account of my recent Italian trip, including going on a train onto a ship and visiting a lot of (Graeco-)Roman Theatres.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/03/17/e...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/03/17/e...
Europe Explored – Trip 11 – Naples and Sicily
"Between Scylla and Charybdis" After a three month gap since my previous excursion to Europe, I decided to head south on a short trip in the hope of catching some warmth. Day 1 - Tuesday 27th February...
europeexplored.travel.blog
March 17, 2024 at 10:30 AM
An account of my recent Italian trip, including going on a train onto a ship and visiting a lot of (Graeco-)Roman Theatres.
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/03/17/e...
europeexplored.travel.blog/2024/03/17/e...