Check out this author photo... I'm coming straight out of a Steinbeck tale to share stories of some of my favourite Berlin writers from the 1920s and 1930s, and reading from BUILT ON SAND (my Berlin novel). It's this Friday. @marcelkrueger.bsky.social will be there. @slowberlin.bsky.social too.

Yorkshire Sunday… #adventuresbeyondthefrontdoor

The Gorreana tea plantation on the island of São Miguel, was - for a long time - the only place in Europe where tea was produced and its history tells us a lot about the difficulties of making a life in the middle of the ocean… the-winding-trail.com/2025/08/29/t... #adventuresbeyondthefrontdoor

One of my recent posts on The Winding Trail is about exploring the hidden valleys and unheralded peaks, and the questions they raise about not only why we travel but how we do it... the-winding-trail.com/2025/10/15/t...

In Norway ‘its little hut…was built by the community for no other reason than to give people a place to shelter, a place to walk to and to take a rest, and a place to protect them if they were unlucky and protection were needed.’ @paulscraton.bsky.social 🙏 the-winding-trail.com/2025/10/15/t...

Yesterday we launched the updated version of The Winding Trail, a project dedicated to adventures being the front door and the joy of being in the outdoors… the-winding-trail.com

@slowberlin.bsky.social & Romanisches Cafe exhibition invite Julia Bosson, @paulscraton.bsky.social and me to introduce our favourite literary regulars of Romanisches and our own writing, followed by a public discussion on November 14. Free tickets: romanisches-cafe.berlin/event/rebels...

Some images of @paulscraton.bsky.social and me on stage at the Mendelsohn House in Olsztyn this week, talking about his work, the city of Berlin and his observations of Germany & German history as an insider/outsider. Translation was provided by Czesław Kinski, and all pictures are by Jacek Sztorc.

Delighted to be chatting with my friend @paulscraton.bsky.social about his writing and Berlin this Thursday on stage at the wonderful Dom Mendelsohna, part of this year's Mendelsohn Festival organised by BORUSSIA Olsztyn. The event will be in English with Polish translation. fb.me/e/jJ7B5tllD

W tym roku wezmę udział nie w jednym, ale w dwóch wydarzeniach podczas Festiwalu Mendelssohna. Przeprowadzę wywiad ze wspaniałym @paulscraton.bsky.social oraz opowiem o sobie i mojej rodzinie na Warmii. Zorganizowane przez moich przyjaciół z BORUSSIA Olsztyn. madeinwm.pl/wydarzenia/f...

A wonderful book that, if you haven’t read it, you really should… let the second wind blow…

This is me. And the song is just lovely.

We did it! 162km along the Berlin Wall Trail from 8am until 2.30 the following morning. I’m so proud of my friends who answered the call and joined me in a challenge that means more than our own PBs or other personal achievements. So why did we run? Here: www.justgiving.com/page/paul-sc...

Waterstones in Leeds have a table display for all their copies of The Salt Path with a sign that says “Take it with a pinch of salt” Reader, I laughed.

“I don’t miss penalties twice…” is right Chloe Kelly! #WEURO2025

Until the cruel Beeching's Axe of puberty, I was into model railways and had a small layout in the corner of my room. Recently, I've wondered if a return to the hobby might help my mental health – and the lovely responses I've had to this piece suggest I am not alone observer.co.uk/news/first-p...

Here we go! Come on girls, let’s go… #ITAENG #WEURO2025

That was unbelievable. A player and 1-0 down after 14 minutes, Germany fought their way to penalties - including probably the greatest save I’ve ever seen from Berger - against a brilliant France side and somehow made it through… great stuff… so happy for them #FRAGER #WEURO2025

The greatest save I’ve ever seen…

Whatever happens, this German team will have won a lot of people over. And that save from Berger was one of the greatest I have ever seen… #FRAGER #WEURO2025

Whatever happens now, to go 1-0 and one player down after 14 minutes and hold on against THIS French team is something else… and they could have won it with the penalty… what a game… #FRAGER #WEURO2025

This game has everything. All four quarter finals have been brilliant. But the penalty taking in this tournament has been terrible and I can’t work out why? Less than 50% I think… #WEURO2025

And then… brilliant goal from a corner. Fantastic. Let’s go!

Well, that was properly stupid. And I understand emotions run high, but Hendrich is going to feel pretty stupid when she sees the replay… I’m not sure what she was complaining about… #FRAGER #WEURO2025

Oh yes! Here we go… #WEURO2025 #SWEENG

Do England have other defenders? Wiegman’s answer seems to simply move Carter to a different position in the back 4… #WEURO2025 #SWEENG

This was quite something… of all the greats I’ve watched in 35-odd years of watching the Tour, I enjoy watching Tadej the best…

Catastrophic says the German commentator and I have to agree. Lucky that it’s only 0-1. And the England hit the bar! And then the heavens open in Berlin… it’s all happening! #WEURO2025 #SWEENG

We’re running 162.1km along the Berlin Wall Trail to raise money for the Pahar Trust Nepal - building schools in hard-to-reach communities. The Mauerweglauf is on 16 August 2025, and any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated: www.justgiving.com/page/paul-sc...

Blimey. What a strange game. Germany looked in control and now they’re 3-1 and a player down #SWEGER #WEURO2025

Brilliant start to this game. Germany on to but punished for getting caught out of position. Brand and Bühl might still be the difference though! #SWEGER #WEURO2025

“They were strange hours, successive unconnected moments, that I spent on my walk at night by the solitary shore of the sea…”

We don't just do trains, but have over the years written a lot about ferries and passenger shopping too. This piece on the Soviet era "Poets Class" ships was a joy to research and write @simoncalder.bsky.social

Well, that was exciting in the end but England woke up way too late. And even in the last few minutes, the passing quality was off… big improvement needed.

Wow. England’s passing is AWFUL. France are playing well but England look lost here. I didn’t realise Walsh was even playing until about 35 mins in. Full backs and midfield overrun. This is a tough watch. #WEURO2025 #FRAENG

They made laws in favour of the king and allowed such as favoured the people to lapse Luís de Camões, 1572 At the Museum of the Resistance and Liberty, Lisbon

Oh, Diogo. Oh, Andre. Sending love to all who love you #YNWA

“Behind the brewery lie the Obersee and Orankesee lakes, and a house built by Mies van der Rohe for the Lemke family and the only private home he ever designed and built.” Paul Scraton explores local history and personal memories in Hohenschönhausen… www.slowtravelberlin.com/a-stroll-thr...

I’m very proud to be an Ambassador for the Pahar Trust Nepal, working with communities to improve education, health and sanitation… you can explore a map of all the different projects we’ve be involved in here: www.pahar-trust.org/our-impact

Morning in Lomba da Fazenda… the sound of birds, cows and an incredibly mournful donkey. Last night we heard a Cory’s shearwater, which would have been quite disturbing if we hadn’t known what it was! #adventuresbeyondthefrontdoor

A Ponta Delgada drift… #backtotheazores

I have felt quite down about my writing for what is quite a long while now, but my recent trip to Switzerland and to get comments like this does make it all feel like it is worth it… hopefully the motivation comes back again soon… @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social

Only post when you have something positive to report #42. Just finished A Dream of White Horses. Was moved and enthralled. Everyone should read it. Thanks to @paulscraton.bsky.social.

In honour of Bruce’s blistering show last night, here’s my essay for @slowberlin.bsky.social about his legendary concert in Weißensee, East Berlin, in 1988… www.slowtravelberlin.com/springsteen-...

Bruce in Berlin. It was as good as you’d expect. It was as angry as you’d imagine. It was as hopeful as you’d, well, hope… brilliant. And the E Street Band remains the greatest band in the world.

If you like ultra trail running and you have a long run coming up (3hrs plus…), listen to the @runsingletrack.bsky.social with Michael Versteeg (search the archive). You might not agree with everything, but it will make you think… what an interesting and cool guy…

Happy publication day to our friends at the European Rail Timetable as they release the Summer 2025 printed edition of their iconic timetable. A wonderful guide to rail and ferry services (and a fine companion to our book!) @europeanrailtt.bsky.social

Nineteen years ago I left Katrin and Lotte in the hospital and went back to our flat just off Zionskirchplatz and tried to imagine how I was going to be a good dad when they finally came home. Still working on it, I guess. Happy Birthday Lotte… here’s to the next orbit around the sun x

Lol

Bruce is in Liverpool and he’s coming to Berlin… so, the question is: what’s your favourite album? I’ll go first 🙂 1. Born to Run 2. Nebraska 3. Wrecking Ball 4. Darkness on the Edge of Town 5. The River Numbers 2-5 alternate. Number 1 is my favorite album by anyone, ever.