Richard’s Big Blind JOGL

11/08/2026

Lovely presentation today from the Thomas Pocklington Trust and Waymo on driverless cars. All organised by the fab Bhavini Makwana

And I must say, as a blind bloke, I’ve finally found a driving job where my eyesight isn’t considered an unreasonable impediment.

Basically, you get in, shut the door and the motor does everything.

No driver. No arguing about the route. No mysterious card machine failure. No lengthy opinions on immigration, Arsenal or what’s wrong with London these days.

It sees pedestrians, cyclists, traffic lights and apparently even people stepping into the road while staring at their phones. Which already puts it ahead of several minicabs I’ve been in.

For visually impaired people, though, the serious bit is enormous. This could mean genuine independence and freedom to travel without relying on somebody else.

So congratulations to Thomas Pocklington Trust and Waymo. Fascinating stuff and potentially life-changing technology.

As for me, I’m ready.

Airport, guv?

Jump in.

I haven’t got a clue where we’re going either. 😂🚕 Thomas Pocklington Trust

Thomas Pocklington Trust Waymo🦯

04/08/2026

So here I am at Tilbury Docks playing a lorry driver. Makeup: none required. Wardrobe: mine will do nicely. I’m starting to feel typecast.

Tilbury Docks is bigger than Yorkshire and I managed to come to the wrong entrance on the completely opposite side. So, they sent a minibus just for little fat me.

Now sat in the cafe bus eating biscuits and drinking instant coffee. Just like home except I’m getting a few bob for it.

Could life be better 🙂

28/07/2026

28/07/2026

My annual challenge has changed.

Originally, I was going to sail a bathtub down the non-tidal Thames. Unfortunately, I’ve since been informed that the authorities would regard it as an unsafe craft and would probably remove both me and the bath from the river.

Always have a Plan B.

So, in November, I’ll be attempting to walk 210 miles (340 km) along the UAE coastline from Ras Al Khaimah to Abu Dhabi over three weeks.

I’ll be doing it on my own and unsupported, with my trusty white roller cane and the 20% of vision I’ve got left.

To prepare, I’m going to start training by walking the 150-mile London Loop, which I completed a few years ago. It also gives me the perfect excuse to enjoy this glorious weather while it lasts before swapping the English countryside for the Arabian desert.

The route won’t be entirely straightforward. I’ll have to contend with temperatures in the low 30s, heat stress, dehydration, busy roads, restricted areas, very little shade, stray dogs, camels, loose sand, snakes, scorpions, jellyfish and mosquitoes.

Some people have already pointed out that there’s a war in the region. Yes, I know. But I’m not planning on walking through it.

Life is far too short not to have an adventure.

Wish me luck….