I’ve thought long and hard about what to write about in this, my first column of 2025. I recently returned from Sierra Leone where I read about Hungary’s Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme. Last year, 32 students from Sierra Leone were awarded scholarships to study in Hungary for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees with one of the 32 pursuing a Doctorate. I am strangely heartened by this, even though it had absolutely nothing to do with me at all.

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Making a difference

For much of 2024, I’ve been wallowing. I lost two women who played a huge role in shaping the woman I am: my mum and my Donna. The void they’ve left makes it difficult to breathe at times.

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The most exquisite form of courtesy

For many years now, November has been a month I associate with giving thanks. Most likely it’s a remnant from when I was Stateside. It’s a massive holiday over there; for many, it’s even bigger than Christmas. And it’s not just an American holiday.

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St Andrew in Budapest

Where has the year gone? I can hardly believe we’re in October. Back in my corporate management days, I’d be busy compiling reports on Q3 and reviewing projections for Q4. I’d also have been able to tell you that I’m writing this in W42 ...

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Plastic Pickup

Many moons ago, when I was negotiating a Catholic convent school education, one of the nuns put a question to us.

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On stork time

In my village office during the week, I looked out of the window to see our two young storks perched on top of the roof of the barn. A magical calm came over me. I found myself smiling with the inner delight of a ...

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A real painter

How did a kid who drew comic books in Békéscsaba find himself exhibiting/selling out his paintings on the other side of the world in Art Taipei? How did a drummer who played in and made music videos for underground rock bands in Budapest get ...

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Pour decisions

I grew up with the iconic Blue Nun and the odd cardboardeaux brought back from France by neighbours lucky enough to go on foreign holidays.

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In search of colour

Standing 22.4 metres (73 ft) underground on the platform for the M4 metro in Kálvin tér in the nation’s capital recently, a strange feeling came over me.

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Taking to the streets of Budapest

One of the most inspiring aspects of today’s globalisation is the sheer diversity of our world.

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The Albanian Riviera: New builds and daydreamers

I like to think that I can spot potential. In plans. In people. In property. Especially in property. I’m not for a minute suggesting that I know the real estate market and know where to invest to get the best return. I’m clueless in ...

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7scents

I have a peculiarly impulsive sense of smell that has led me to stopping random people and commenting on the scent they're wearing. Women usually smile, take the compliment in their stride and volunteer the name of their perfume. Men, once they get over ...

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Where there’s a need…

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An unbridled enthusiasm for life

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Tard: A stitch in time

In the many road trips I’ve taken around Hungary, the same questions always come to mind. Why isn’t more being done to capitalise on the wealth of talent in the villages? Why is almost everything city-centred?

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A way out, one gherkin at a time

As we launch into 2022, I’ve shelved New Year’s resolutions in favour of what I’m calling life resolutions. Time has been Covidised. It’s taken on a whole new meaning. 2021 alternated between feeling like a month or a decade depending on my mood. One ...