Author Archives: Richard Grainger

UNDERSTANDING… PAPUA NEW GUINEA?

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 7 photos.

YOU MAY NOW KISS THE BRIDE! Let me say a word or two about the wedding. Saturday before last and we were bussed out to a field near the town of Mossman. To be fair, the field — in addition … Continue reading →

More galleries | Leave a comment

Introducing Richie Malone

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Richard Grainger

Today is the day my alter ego steps out from behind the curtain. Welcome to the dark, fucked-up world of Richie Malone. This blog is the prequel to my novel, ‘Losing the Plot’. Amigos, I’d like this to be an … Continue reading →

More galleries | Leave a comment

UNDERSTANDING… POST TEFL FREEDOM

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 8 photos.

It’s done. Completo… terminado… finito. After eight weeks of blood, sweat and tears in TEFL school, I emerge from the appropriately named Plaza de la Misericordia a fully qualified TEFL teacher on Saturday evening. We all do; twelve just men … Continue reading →

More galleries | Leave a comment

UNDERSTANING /ˈfəʊniːm/ ?

Posted on April 16, 2017 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 2 photos.

You may well have been wondering what’s happened to the blog. On the other hand, you may well have not. Well, the reason I’ve not blogged for ages is that my life has been almost totally consumed by learning to … Continue reading →

More galleries | Leave a comment

UNDERSTANDING… POLAND?

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 10 photos.

It’s Food, Jim — But Not As We Know It! Christmas is finally over — thank God. Even the Spanish, who, like the Polish manage to drag the festive season kicking and screaming into a fourth week with the Three … Continue reading →

More galleries | 3 Comments

 Understanding… Cornwall and a break from Marbella

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 5 photos.

Falmouth… f***ing mental! Last week I had a few days to kill before returning to Spain and so I decided to spend them in Falmouth. It’s Monday afternoon and I check into the three star Falmouth Hotel, selected for the … Continue reading →

More galleries | Leave a comment

UNDERSTANDING SPAIN — The Power of Porsche and a Right Good Reunion

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 5 photos.

Reader warning — this blog is pretty much all about cars, so if you’re not a petrolhead, look away now! I bought it, of course. You knew I would, I knew I would and naturally the Porsche salesman knew I … Continue reading →

More galleries | 1 Comment

OF MARRIAGE

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Richard Grainger

The winds of change are buried, Cast iron deep beneath the winter’s frozen ground. There’s little to suggest That love or marriage, Or even earthy sex Could make those rusted wheels go round. And so he tells her That he … Continue reading →

More galleries | Leave a comment

A YEAR IN MARBELLA — FRIENDS…TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Richard Grainger

FRIENDS — TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE  It’s Saturday morning, no school and time to reflect. Perfecto. I’ll start with an odd one: friends. There is something else I love about being in Marbella that, up until yesterday I … Continue reading →

More galleries | 2 Comments

LOS VERBOS

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Richard Grainger

LOS VERBOS Verbs are just words So why do I fear them? They attack me in the dead night When no one else can hear them. Temo, Tememos, Temeis and Temem? ‘Alvaro’ I ask, ‘Where the hell is the logic … Continue reading →

More galleries | 1 Comment