Richard Newton
@irnewton.bsky.social
Writer, reader, traveller. Author of 'Taylor & Burton in Africa'.
The ultimate male role model.
December 7, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The ultimate male role model.
The photo that earned me the ire of Boris Becker and the entire Centre Court crowd, including Princess Diana. Full story - and many more - in my book, Global Games.
December 4, 2025 at 9:28 AM
The photo that earned me the ire of Boris Becker and the entire Centre Court crowd, including Princess Diana. Full story - and many more - in my book, Global Games.
That time my archery lesson in a motel car park was stopped by the police - only for us to discover we'd impaled the target on the motel sign. One of many stories in my new book, Global Games - a compilation of columns from Global Traveler magazine. Out now in paperback and ebook at Amazon.
December 3, 2025 at 8:25 AM
That time my archery lesson in a motel car park was stopped by the police - only for us to discover we'd impaled the target on the motel sign. One of many stories in my new book, Global Games - a compilation of columns from Global Traveler magazine. Out now in paperback and ebook at Amazon.
A labour of love that I finished researching and writing months before a certain biography was published. I then got an email from the biographer's agent warning me about the potential pursuit of 'proprietory rights'. This is therefore a novel that includes a seven page list of sources.
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 PM
A labour of love that I finished researching and writing months before a certain biography was published. I then got an email from the biographer's agent warning me about the potential pursuit of 'proprietory rights'. This is therefore a novel that includes a seven page list of sources.
Me in the unofficial throne room of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, 1994.
October 31, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Me in the unofficial throne room of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, 1994.
My pic from a cheetah sighting in Kruger National Park, South Africa, in 2023. On the whole, Kruger is an example of how mass tourism can work in a wildlife area. But lately there's been an explosion of OSVs (Open Safari Vehicles), and they don't always follow the rules.
October 27, 2025 at 1:20 PM
My pic from a cheetah sighting in Kruger National Park, South Africa, in 2023. On the whole, Kruger is an example of how mass tourism can work in a wildlife area. But lately there's been an explosion of OSVs (Open Safari Vehicles), and they don't always follow the rules.
The Serengeti wildebeest migration is perhaps the most extreme example. Tourists are now blocking the prime riverbank exit routes, forcing the wildebeest back into the river.
October 27, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The Serengeti wildebeest migration is perhaps the most extreme example. Tourists are now blocking the prime riverbank exit routes, forcing the wildebeest back into the river.
This one's good fun.
October 21, 2025 at 11:23 AM
This one's good fun.
The Duellists, based on a story by Joseph Conrad, is terrific.
October 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The Duellists, based on a story by Joseph Conrad, is terrific.
Its election time in Malawi as we speak. I still have this flyer from the 1994 election.
September 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Its election time in Malawi as we speak. I still have this flyer from the 1994 election.
I lived there on and off from 1986-94. I was definitely a Green man. The other choices were Brown (bitter), Black (stout), or Gold (Special Brew).
September 14, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I lived there on and off from 1986-94. I was definitely a Green man. The other choices were Brown (bitter), Black (stout), or Gold (Special Brew).
@kirkdalebooks.bsky.social Greatest cameo of all time.
September 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
@kirkdalebooks.bsky.social Greatest cameo of all time.
The venue of my faux pas. Ed Fancher died in 2023, aged 100. Can only imagine the Mailer stories he took with him.
July 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The venue of my faux pas. Ed Fancher died in 2023, aged 100. Can only imagine the Mailer stories he took with him.
Black mamba in our bedroom in South Africa, 2018. #WorldSnakeDay
July 16, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Black mamba in our bedroom in South Africa, 2018. #WorldSnakeDay
Not just grass snakes. Melanism is also common in Swedish adders. I met this one in Dalarna.
July 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Not just grass snakes. Melanism is also common in Swedish adders. I met this one in Dalarna.
Definitely an acquired taste. I don't mind the Hollywood books, but don't think I've ever got past the first few pages of any of his novels. The opening of Magic is, well, read it if you dare:
June 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Definitely an acquired taste. I don't mind the Hollywood books, but don't think I've ever got past the first few pages of any of his novels. The opening of Magic is, well, read it if you dare:
Burt was no Clint Eastwood. This from William Goldman's 'Which Lie Did I Tell?'.
June 4, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Burt was no Clint Eastwood. This from William Goldman's 'Which Lie Did I Tell?'.
The Czars, Goodbye. It got me through countless hours on the M3 and A34.
June 3, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Czars, Goodbye. It got me through countless hours on the M3 and A34.
Willard Price. From the age of eight onwards, I devoured his books. They gave me a lifelong love of reading, wildlife, and the world.
May 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Willard Price. From the age of eight onwards, I devoured his books. They gave me a lifelong love of reading, wildlife, and the world.
Fifth time in the past six years for Sunderland. The Trafalgar Square takeover has become a tradition.
May 23, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Fifth time in the past six years for Sunderland. The Trafalgar Square takeover has become a tradition.