Viva 2023 – here’s to a busy year!

I have been working on some really interesting projects so far this year. Probably my favourite has been a sequence of marketing texts for a theme park where it was essential to retain the magic of this special place in my translations but also to re-adjust some of the words and expressions so they were … Continue reading Viva 2023 – here’s to a busy year!

Heartbreak and triumph – applying for Spanish residency post-Brexit

I first attempted to move to Girona in Spain last August. The move had been in the pipeline since I first started going out with my girlfriend, Vanesa, a Spanish national originally from Argentina, back in 2015. We met on a site that helps people practice speaking foreign languages with natives through online conversation. After … Continue reading Heartbreak and triumph – applying for Spanish residency post-Brexit

A Spanish labour of love – the joy of language learning

I've been speaking Spanish for 17 years now. Admittedly, in the earlier years I sounded more like Julio Geordio than Julio Iglesias, but as time progressed so did my level of Spanish. For me, it is the most beautiful language in the world. I first became captivated by it in 2005 during a year away … Continue reading A Spanish labour of love – the joy of language learning

Teaching – an additional string to a fledging freelance translator’s bow

Trying to establish the nascent career of a freelance translator can be a bit of a slow burner. There are so many aspects of the business that need to be considered. You may wish to construct a website to help promote your business. It is a bit like having a digital CV and it tells … Continue reading Teaching – an additional string to a fledging freelance translator’s bow

Me, myself and I – a personal profile

For those that don't know me very well, I thought it was about time I introduced myself. You can think of this post as a kind of CV in story form as it has partly been written to enhance my job prospects and grow my freelance business. However, as it has also been written for … Continue reading Me, myself and I – a personal profile

‘Twas on the 9th of June – Happy Geordie Day!

This article pays homage to the great city of Newcastle, its history, its culture, and some of its favourite sons and daughters, past and present. It will bring your attention to things that Geordies should know, and also some lesser known facts that will probably surprise a few people, be they from the region or not.

Diary of a backpacker 6 – Bonito, a liquid paradise

After catching the night bus from Foz do Iguaçu we arrived at our next destination, Bonito, the following morning. The journey had taken a mere 13 hours and, taking full advantage of the luxurious legroom, I had slept very comfortably. The buses really are a miracle in this country. I was sat with Gina, a … Continue reading Diary of a backpacker 6 – Bonito, a liquid paradise

Diary of a backpacker 5 – Iguazu Falls

We arrived in Foz do Iguaçu around 9 in the evening and checked into the Hotel Del Rey, a pleasant place with lovely gardens and a swimming pool. We freshened up after the long bus journey from Curitiba and then went out for pizza in a nearby restaurant. For a small fee we could eat … Continue reading Diary of a backpacker 5 – Iguazu Falls

Diary of a backpacker 4 – Ilha Grande and Curitiba

After four eventful days in Rio it was time to move on. I was up early for the 10 am departure. It took one and a half hours to get to the port for our next destination, the Ilha Grande, a beautiful and peaceful island where cars and motorbikes are not allowed. It would be … Continue reading Diary of a backpacker 4 – Ilha Grande and Curitiba