Writing

Essays on place, culture and the spaces in between.

The Moon Under Water - A Perfect Pub
Culture Joel Beighton Culture Joel Beighton

The Moon Under Water - A Perfect Pub

Cold, smooth, creamy liquid pours down my throat rapidly before coming to an abrupt ending with a bitter finish on my tongue. It’s my first pint of Guinness in over four months. I’ve been away travelling, and one of my first ports of call upon returning is the pub.

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Never Trust A Hotel Review
Culture Joel Beighton Culture Joel Beighton

Never Trust A Hotel Review

As most people probably do, we always ensure we check reviews before we book to stay somewhere. A bit of due diligence before parting with hundreds of pounds is surely a reasonable thing to do? 

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One Last Push
Place Joel Beighton Place Joel Beighton

One Last Push

My legs tighten. One last push. Over another bump in the gravel and the climb finally gives way, opening out into a plateau. A stretch of green rice fields ahead, the sun catching on the flooded plains. Zebra doves make their mechanical whirring sound overhead as a worker in a conical hat walks past.

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The Third Space
Culture Joel Beighton Culture Joel Beighton

The Third Space

Having a third space is having a place outside of your home or workplace to convene or to relax. It might be purposeful, like a pub or a café. Or it could be something less obvious, like a park or a beach.

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Seen From Elsewhere
Place Joel Beighton Place Joel Beighton

Seen From Elsewhere

On a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Cebu, I look down and spot a cluster of small tropical islands off the coast of Borneo. All green jungle, ringed by white sand and clear turquoise water.

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Sri Lanka - Beauty & Discomfort
Place Joel Beighton Place Joel Beighton

Sri Lanka - Beauty & Discomfort

Most people don’t like to be uncomfortable when they travel, but perhaps discomfort is an unavoidable part of seeing the world honestly. Something to learn from, to grow from and to try and affect positively, in your own little way.

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Paradise Isn’t Always Quiet
Place Joel Beighton Place Joel Beighton

Paradise Isn’t Always Quiet

A loud rumble of a vehicle passes close to my right side as I walk along the dusty, dry street, narrowly avoiding uneven slabs of pavement and stepping over open drain covers.

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