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.

“Port cities tell the story of how the world has been interlinked, for good and for evil, for centuries. Some are stories of shame. Others of inspiration. There is the sadness of departure and the joy of arrival. The anticipation of adventure or fear of what to come.”

Simon Yates! This stage of the #Giro has so many stories and subplots… what scenes…

We did it! 39km and 1550m up and down on the Yorkshire Three Peaks to raise money to build two schools in Nepal. An amazing day, and if you’d like to help the campaign, you still can: www.justgiving.com/page/paul-sc...

One more sleep until we’re heading for the hills… our Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge for the Pahar Trust Nepal is tomorrow and there’s not much more we can do to prepare… let’s hope we’re ready! We’re walking to build two schools in Nepal - more info here: www.justgiving.com/page/paul-sc...

19 years ago Hetha & I started a publishing company. We remortgaged our house. Our authors have won or been short listed for 26 major lit prizes. TV & Film shows Northern Publishers of year 2023 & 2025. Based in the north but truly international. Chuffed to bits. @thebookseller.com

It's Bluemoose Books appreciation day here, with Rónán Hession's bewitching Ghost Mountain and Paul Scraton's thoughtful A Dream of White Horses. You can find reviews of both on the Guardian website. @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social @ronanhession.bsky.social & @paulscraton.bsky.social

Our editor Marcel is teaching a 6-week place writing course in Berlin this summer where all participants have the chance to publish in Elsewhere upon completion.

Please help @paulscraton.bsky.social raise funds for the Pahar Trust, he will literally climb mountains to do it.

If they’re coming to Berlin, do we have to finally accept they exist? #bielefeld

Back in my happiest of happy places…

The bats are back in the courtyard…