Robert Blink

Welcome to my world. Fascinated by all things happening in these interesting times we're living in.

[rgpoulussen.bsky.social @rgpoulussen]

Applicable for all conflicts in the world. Past, present and future.

[Rhodri Lewis @profrhodrilewis]

My first non-EU passport. In a strangely beautiful illustration of Brexit’s absurdity, it was printed in Poland by a French company, and delivered to me by a German logistics firm.

[Robert Blink @RobertHBlink]

@churchill_alex

[Robert Blink @RobertHBlink]

@churchill_alex Im Blau / Kandinsky

[Robert Blink @RobertHBlink]

@trainsongsbook The day before you came/Abba

[Robert Blink @RobertHBlink]

@MAstronomers Interstellar!

[Sara Wahedi @SaraWahedi]

Me in Kabul, at Bost Restaurant. It was woman-owned (@MaryAkrami), with 100% female staff. This was a few months before the Taliban takeover.

Behind me are images of legendary Afghan women. We smiled then - excited about the future. Afghan women were unstoppable.

Still are.

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

This is @trainsongsbook, the only resource on Planet Earth (that we know of) dedicated to train songs and the many ties that bind railways/railroads & music. Come on in, look around, learn a thing or two and, if you like what you see, please give us a RT to spread the word.

[Robert Blink @RobertHBlink]

@NS_online Rijden er wel treinen of helemaal niet?

[Robert Blink @RobertHBlink]

@Essent hoi, wat is jullie doorlooptijd voor het beantwoorden van een vraag via Twitter (dm). Afgelopen dinsdag een vraag gesteld. Echter nog geen antwoord ☹

[Robert Blink @RobertHBlink]

@Jeep_vW Heb je een mooie reis gehad?

[Robert Blink @RobertHBlink]

@Jeep_vW Mooi zo! Geniet van je reis!

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

.....and in 1st place, the best train song of all time, it's 'Love Train' by The O'Jays. A timely clarion call for us to join hands, set aside our differences & just get on board ('Tell all the folks in Russia and China too'), all wrapped up in a driving groove.
#trainsongstop10

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

In 2nd place it's 'Midnight Train To Georgia' by Gladys Knight And The Pips. Never before, or since, had a song about failure sounded so good. Fairy dust provided by The Pips in the shape of those add-libs ('I know you will') and train sound effects ('Woo woo!'). #trainsongstop10

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

In 3rd place it's 'Waterloo Sunset' by The Kinks, the best song ever written about people watching. Inspired by John Schlesinger's 1961 documentary 'Terminus', which charts a day in the life of London's Waterloo station. The fine wine of train songs.
#trainsongstop10

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

In 4th place it's 'White Room' by Cream, lyrics by Pete Brown. The story of casual relationships that begin, and end, with arrivals & departures from railway stations (in reality London's St Pancras, Marylebone and Kings Cross, close to where Brown was living). #trainsongstop10

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

'There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run'

In 5th place it's 'Canadian Railroad Trilogy' by one of the Godfathers of the train song, Gordon Lightfoot. Unquestionably the best song about how the railways, or rather railroads, came to be.
#trainsongstop10

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

In 6th place it's 'Main Theme - Carter Takes A Train' by Roy Budd, taken from the film 'Get Carter' & the only instrumental on our list. Composed to accompany the rhythm of the train appearing in the opening titles, it's sparse, menacing & hugely atmospheric. #trainsongstop10

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

In 7th place it's 'Dixie Flyer' by Randy Newman, the autobiographical tale of a childhood train ride from LA to New Orleans by Randy & his mother. Poignant, evocative, observant, escapist, heartfelt, if this doesn't bring a tear to your eyes, then nothing will.
#trainsongstop10

[Train Songs Central @trainsongsbook]

In 8th place it's 'Crystal Chandeliers And Burgundy' by Johnny Cash, written by Jack Wesley Routh, the story of a hobo who jumps a freight train in San Antonio, Texas, injuring his ankle in the process. The most underrated, and best, of all Cash's train songs. #trainsongstop10