Alastair Thompson Profile picture
Climate, Conflict, Politics, Africa. Editor https://t.co/b6HbxvmnsV (NZ) Reporting from France. https://t.co/LNVK0y9IS7 #nzpol #DesertRain

May 22, 2021, 16 tweets

On another road trip, this time leaving Europe’s #CityOfPeace possibly permanently.

I have had two and a half years at the amazing @EU_Commission funded @HumanBrainProj, mostly helping with the effort to launch @EBRAINS_eu a research infrastructure for computational brain research which will be its legacy.

This morning as I left I visited a favourite spot near Ferney-Voltaire where Mt Blanc was fully visible for the first time in ages to say goodbye.

During this weird period of Covid I was very lucky to spend two months living under this amazing mountain in #Chamonix. One of the great homes of mountaineering and skiing.

It looks like the weather is going to be prefect for my transit across France :)

Traveling through Burgundy, at my favourite motorway stop on this trip west, fairly near to Cluny and Taize.

This stop is particularly cool because it includes a lovely old forest stop on the hill plus the view of a great castle.

Going to mix this roadtrip thread up a bit by sharing what I am listening to. First up, the @BBCSounds Friday Night Comedy show, undoubtedly the best way to keep informed about UK 🇬🇧 Politics. podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/fri…

It’s been sunny most of the way so far. But now at the half way point it looks like it’s about to get a bit wet and wild.

This bit in particular looks like it will contain some pretty serious rain, and there are several of these under the storm.

This is not normal for late May. And not is the temperature 11 degrees. Typically storms this time of year are more orderly.

Next podcast is @camanpour hosted very ably by @biannagolodryga. The @CNN global show has been leading with the Israeli Palestinian conflict since throughout the recent war. Her shows are special for directly addressing issues of reconciliation. podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/ama…

And here comes the rain.....

A thunderstorm in the distance.

The roads are now deserted..... Covid curfew came into effect 5 hours ago.

The last toll gate.... on this 1000km trip, nearly all of it on beautiful motorways, the cost of tolls is roughly the same as the fuel cost.

The amazing @crookedmedia’s latest #PodSaveTheWorld podcast, recorded before the ceasefire provides a very interesting, informed and insightful look inside a Democratic perspective on the Israel-Palestinian conundrum. podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/pod…

And home.... /ends

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