HX Report
Irishman in the Middle East
The Grange Book
Posted on November 26, 2015
MB returns once more to his home community of Grange. To the history and the scenery and the greenery. A number of his posts of recent weeks have concerned same topic. MB did not explain in previous posts why he was running a series of pieces on his homeland. Apart from the interesting content (really MB?!) of the actual posts, there was another reason. Read More
Lakes, tourists, Canadians
Posted on November 18, 2015
Introduction by MB
In recent weeks, MB has introduced you all some more to his Grange/HX homeland and to some of its scenery and characters. In a post of last week, he mentioned that his Mom operated a farm guesthouse during MB’s growing-up years and after, and that many friendships endure from those days to the present. One such friend is BC from Canada.
BC first visited Ireland in April 1976 and most recently in September 2015. She is a long-time follower of MBs HX blog and occasionally makes comment. During her recent September visit, MB had an idea to ask BC to take over his blog for one week, having a hunch that BC could write a good story. Even though she had never written much at all in her past she accepted the offer. How right MB was. Read More
Weekly Photo Challenge – Careful
Posted on October 23, 2015
Michelle’s photo challenge this week:
This week, show us something careful — a photo taken with care, a person being careful, or a task or detail requiring care.
‘The Sideline Cut’
MB returns to the Irish sport of hurling for this week’s challenge, and specifically to an aspect of the game called ‘the sideline cut’.
When the ball is knocked out over the sideline during the course of a game by either team, the referee awards a ‘sideline cut’ to the opposite team. It’s a bit like a golf shot but much more difficult to execute, given the nature of the implement with its broad edge (a hurley). Even in top games the amount of fluffed shots is very high. To get it exactly right requires great care and skill.
Execute the strike poorly and the ball will dribble embarrassingly along the ground for just a few yards. Hit it correctly, at the precise point required underneath the ball and at exactly the correct angle with the hurley stick, and watch the ball soar majestically into the air and into the far distance. At approximately the same angle as a well-struck 8-iron in golf.
MB caught this player taking a sideline cut at a recent game when he was home in September, just as the hurley is about to make contact with the ball. Can not remember how it turned out.
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Photo Story – 3 of 7
Posted on August 16, 2015
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai.
The architects were commissioned to produce a hotel that would double as an iconic design/structure for Dubai. The final selected design mimics the sail of a dhow (traditional arabic) boat; and so ‘The Burj’ was built (‘burj’ is the Arabic word for ‘tower’). At 920 ft tall it is the 4th tallest hotel in the world. Many architects moaned about it from an architectural point of view at the time. Many Islamic conservatives complained loudly that the helipad and the tall spine together form what looks like a Christian cross when viewed from the sea and wanted the helipad demolished. Sheikh Mo (Dubai ruler) told them to get real!
The hotel is touted as a 7 Star hotel, but not by the owners Jumeirah Group (who incidentally sponsored Irish golfer Rory McIlroy until his deal with Nike a few years back). The 7 Star title seems to have stuck after it appeared in a newspaper article written by a British journalist who was invited to one of the opening events.
The hotel design has proved to be the iconic structure envisaged by owners, and the image of the hotel has been used the world over to successfully promote brand ‘Dubai’.
You can not just wander in for a coffee or beer. You must book something online to actually receive your security pass to enter the building. The 7 course afternoon tea option at about 90 USD per head is the most affordable! MB took this shot from the 80th floor of a nearby 100 storey tower he was working on 4 or 5 years back.
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HX – Animals
Posted on June 30, 2015
The cattle in Ireland look happier than Arabs in the Middle East!
So said an Arab work colleague of MB in recent days, on looking at a few of MB’s photos. Read More
Journey to Istanbul
Posted on May 24, 2015
From 30,000 feet with a Galaxy E7 13mp camera phone. Nothing special.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Rule Of Thirds
Posted on February 20, 2015
This week’s challenge is the photographic concept – the rule of thirds.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul is the Topkapi Palace, which lies in the old town next to the Hagia Sophia Museum & Blue Mosque. The palace was home to the Sultans and their harem of females for three hundred years in the days of the Ottoman Empire, until Sultan Abdülmecid in 1853 decided to move to the nearby Dolmabache Palace.
MB visited Topkapi Palace in early November 2014. The palace lies on the bank of the Bosphorus Sea Straits and the views from the palace grounds are spectacular.
Caught this shot of one of the soldiers on duty, with the Bosphorus blurred in the background:
PS – Ignore the tree!
Weekly Photo Challenge – Depth
Posted on January 30, 2015
This week’s challenge is ‘Depth‘.
The Great Wall Of China:
One bright beautiful blue-sky morning In October 2009 MB walked on the Great Wall Of China. It’s an incredibly awe-inspiring structure and sight, as it winds it’s way into the mountainous distance, deep into the northern Chinese countryside. 8,850km (or 5,500 miles) deep to be exact. MB walked on a section which is about one hour drive outside Beijing. The wall is extremely steep in many locations as it snakes the contours of the mountain slopes, and a level of aerobic fitness is required to walk a reasonable length of it. Some, or most, of the English language signage along the wall is amusing! Read More
Weekly Photo Challenge – Twinkle
Posted on December 12, 2014
Weekly Photo Challenge: Adventure
Posted on September 8, 2014
From MB’s Sudani trip of two weeks back. On the outskirts of Khartoum:
Read More
Photo 13/30: Smile
Posted on May 2, 2014
The Idea
Have decided to post a photo per day for 30 days, each based on a word or theme. Feel free to offer a word or theme challenge to MB in the comment box below.
Photo 13/30
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
A trader in the Grand Bazaar @ Istanbul. Who was happy to see MB with his camera. And then treated MB to a cup of tea and a chat. A good egg!
Weekly Photo Challenge: On Top
Posted on April 18, 2014
A Kestrel soars over Kathmandu, Nepal. October 2012.
Cat – The Sequel
Posted on February 20, 2014
Cat was awoken from his sunlight slumber by a staff member clearing the table, following departure of MB moments before. Read More
A day in the life
Posted on February 7, 2014
Peace Brother & Sister Crossers
When MB was at the Preacher Man event last weekend the faithful referred to each other as Brother X and Sister Y. Read More
ME Culture (3)
Posted on December 4, 2013
Dubai belly dancer. At post desert safari bbq. All the belly dancers are non-local as would not be acceptable for local girls to perform by families or the local religion or culture. Many are East European.
HX Report 