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An Officer And A Swimming Pool: How I Decided To Travel Blind

20190422

Alex Bulmer, writer and performer follows in the footsteps of 19th century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness.

The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the `failure` she felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue. across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation walking the Camino Real.

Essay 1: An Officer and a Swimming Pool - How I decided to Travel Blind

Alex introduces us to James Holman, 19th century blind travel writer, and how going blind creates a whole new approach to sensory perception. She sets off on her travels, challenging her own ability to understand new places and spaces without sight.

The writer

Alex Bulmer is an award winning performer and writer in Canada and UK. She has written extensively for BBC Radios 3 and 4, Graeae Theatre Company and Red Dress productions. Recent activities include a role in the soon to be released new Apple television series, See; producing, directing and hosting Toronto's second Cripping The Stage, an evening of disabled artist; teaching voice at Canada's prestigious Banff Centre. In 2014 Alex was named by UK Power Magazine as one of the most influential disabled people, a list including Stephen Hawkins and Stephen Fry.

Producer Polly Thomas

Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore

A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3

Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

How I See With My Feet

20190426

Alex Bulmer, writer and performer describes following in the footsteps of 19th century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness.

The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the `failure` she felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue, across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation where she discovers the greatest understanding of space and place by walking the Camino Real.

Essay 5: How I See With My Feet

Alex is reconciled to Holman and his sensory approach to traveling blind, as her ambulatory senses give her the perfect travel experience walking the legendary Camino Real.

The writer

Producer Polly Thomas

Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore

A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3

Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Sight Seeing? Or Hear Listening

20190424

Alex Bulmer, writer and performer describes following in the footsteps of 19th-century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness.

Essay 3: Sight Seeing? Or Hear Listening

After a trip up the Rhine reveals the possibility of audio tourism, a trip to Cologne brings a crisis. Alex finds herself at odds with Holman and his 19th-century approach to adventure and challenge.

The writer

Producer Polly Thomas

Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore

A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3

Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

The Importance Of Imagination

20190425

Essay 4: The Importance of Imagination

After the disaster of Cologne, Alex breaks from Holman's itinerary, to seek auditory inspiration in the music belt of America, bathing herself in sound and singing.

The writer

Producer Polly Thomas

Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore

A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3

Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Why There Are 300 Seconds In A Blind Minute

20190423

Alex Bulmer, writer and performer follows in the footsteps of 19th-century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness.

The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the `failure` Alex felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue, across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation walking the Camino Real.

Essay 2: Why There are 300 Seconds in a Blind Minute

Alex starts her journey in Germany, following Holman's route from Freiburg and up the Rhine. The limitations of verbal description are soon exhausted and she discovers, just like Holman, how important touch and time are for blind travellers to understand surroundings.

The writer

Producer Polly Thomas

Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore

A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3

Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Comments
An Officer And A Swimming Pool: How I Decided To Travel Blind	20190422	Alex Bulmer, writer and performer follows in the footsteps of 19th century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness. The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the `failure` she felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue. across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation walking the Camino Real. Essay 1: An Officer and a Swimming Pool - How I decided to Travel Blind Alex introduces us to James Holman, 19th century blind travel writer, and how going blind creates a whole new approach to sensory perception. She sets off on her travels, challenging her own ability to understand new places and spaces without sight. The writer Alex Bulmer is an award winning performer and writer in Canada and UK. She has written extensively for BBC Radios 3 and 4, Graeae Theatre Company and Red Dress productions. Recent activities include a role in the soon to be released new Apple television series, See; producing, directing and hosting Toronto's second Cripping The Stage, an evening of disabled artist; teaching voice at Canada's prestigious Banff Centre. In 2014 Alex was named by UK Power Magazine as one of the most influential disabled people, a list including Stephen Hawkins and Stephen Fry. Producer Polly Thomas Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3 Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
How I See With My Feet	20190426	Alex Bulmer, writer and performer describes following in the footsteps of 19th century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness. The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the `failure` she felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue, across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation where she discovers the greatest understanding of space and place by walking the Camino Real. Essay 5: How I See With My Feet Alex is reconciled to Holman and his sensory approach to traveling blind, as her ambulatory senses give her the perfect travel experience walking the legendary Camino Real. The writer Alex Bulmer is an award winning performer and writer in Canada and UK. She has written extensively for BBC Radios 3 and 4, Graeae Theatre Company and Red Dress productions. Recent activities include a role in the soon to be released new Apple television series, See; producing, directing and hosting Toronto's second Cripping The Stage, an evening of disabled artist; teaching voice at Canada's prestigious Banff Centre. In 2014 Alex was named by UK Power Magazine as one of the most influential disabled people, a list including Stephen Hawkins and Stephen Fry. Producer Polly Thomas Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3 Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
Sight Seeing? Or Hear Listening	20190424	Alex Bulmer, writer and performer describes following in the footsteps of 19th-century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness. The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the `failure` she felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue, across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation where she discovers the greatest understanding of space and place by walking the Camino Real. Essay 3: Sight Seeing? Or Hear Listening After a trip up the Rhine reveals the possibility of audio tourism, a trip to Cologne brings a crisis. Alex finds herself at odds with Holman and his 19th-century approach to adventure and challenge. The writer Alex Bulmer is an award winning performer and writer in Canada and UK. She has written extensively for BBC Radios 3 and 4, Graeae Theatre Company and Red Dress productions. Recent activities include a role in the soon to be released new Apple television series, See; producing, directing and hosting Toronto's second Cripping The Stage, an evening of disabled artist; teaching voice at Canada's prestigious Banff Centre. In 2014 Alex was named by UK Power Magazine as one of the most influential disabled people, a list including Stephen Hawkins and Stephen Fry. Producer Polly Thomas Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3 Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
The Importance Of Imagination	20190425	Alex Bulmer, writer and performer describes following in the footsteps of 19th century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness. The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the `failure` she felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue, across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation where she discovers the greatest understanding of space and place by walking the Camino Real. Essay 4: The Importance of Imagination After the disaster of Cologne, Alex breaks from Holman's itinerary, to seek auditory inspiration in the music belt of America, bathing herself in sound and singing. The writer Alex Bulmer is an award winning performer and writer in Canada and UK. She has written extensively for BBC Radios 3 and 4, Graeae Theatre Company and Red Dress productions. Recent activities include a role in the soon to be released new Apple television series, See; producing, directing and hosting Toronto's second Cripping The Stage, an evening of disabled artist; teaching voice at Canada's prestigious Banff Centre. In 2014 Alex was named by UK Power Magazine as one of the most influential disabled people, a list including Stephen Hawkins and Stephen Fry. Producer Polly Thomas Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3 Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
Why There Are 300 Seconds In A Blind Minute	20190423	Alex Bulmer, writer and performer follows in the footsteps of 19th-century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman's writings are extraordinary - he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people's right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness. The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the `failure` Alex felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue, across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation walking the Camino Real. Essay 2: Why There are 300 Seconds in a Blind Minute Alex starts her journey in Germany, following Holman's route from Freiburg and up the Rhine. The limitations of verbal description are soon exhausted and she discovers, just like Holman, how important touch and time are for blind travellers to understand surroundings. The writer Alex Bulmer is an award winning performer and writer in Canada and UK. She has written extensively for BBC Radios 3 and 4, Graeae Theatre Company and Red Dress productions. Recent activities include a role in the soon to be released new Apple television series, See; producing, directing and hosting Toronto's second Cripping The Stage, an evening of disabled artist; teaching voice at Canada's prestigious Banff Centre. In 2014 Alex was named by UK Power Magazine as one of the most influential disabled people, a list including Stephen Hawkins and Stephen Fry. Producer Polly Thomas Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore A Naked Production for BBC Radio 3 Adventures travelling blind in both 21st and 19th centuries. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.