http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-one-fivecourse-dinner-and-im-running-on-empty-1816840.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-one-fivecourse-dinner-and-im-running-on-empty-1816840.html <p>To Milan, for a curious challenge in which I attempt to drive a Volvo all the way back to Marlow on a single tank of diesel. It is all very Top Gear, on a far smaller budget – just me, the comedian Rufus Hound and a South African cameraman who has never been to Europe before. There was a little pre-chat from some technical boffin who went on about torque and revs and stuff that I'm not much interested in. "How fast can we go and still potentially make it?" I asked him. "If you keep it at a steady 70 you should be all right," was his reply. This came as a relief, as I'd had a sneaking suspicion that it was going to have to be something like 42mph. </p> Dom Joly Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-faster-higher-longer-total-olympics-1813244.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-faster-higher-longer-total-olympics-1813244.html ]]> <p>It just goes to show that you should never judge a book by the cover. There was I thinking that Andre Agassi was an uberdull, born-again Christian tennis player and that his book would be the very same. Then I find out that he's of Iranian/Assyrian (whatever that might be) descent, gives large donations to the Democratic Party and that his middle name is Kirk... this changed everything. </p> Dom Joly Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-gardening-and-yoga-ndash-the-grave-is-surely-looming-1812763.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-gardening-and-yoga-ndash-the-grave-is-surely-looming-1812763.html <p>Why is it that when you get older you have to start doing all the stupid things that you used to laugh at when you were younger? I've lost count of the things that I swore I'd never do that now form part of my daily routine. I now make weird disapproving noises to myself whenever I spot a chavvy-looking youth wandering past me on the pavement. When said youth turns back towards me and sticks a horrid little knife up to my face I find myself meekly handing over whatever gadget I've just bought. Buzzing from the adrenalin of this experience I drive home at over 30 miles an hour and decide to do some gardening to clear my head. </p> Dom Joly Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-to-be-precise-this-is-legalised-joyriding-1809478.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-to-be-precise-this-is-legalised-joyriding-1809478.html ]]> <p>I was in Cardiff for the weekend to do some filming around the World Rally Championship. Now, if I'm honest, before I went I knew very little about the world of rally. But now... well... I'm a veritable font of information. </p> Dom Joly Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-the-guns-have-fallen-silent-on-the-golf-course-1808967.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-the-guns-have-fallen-silent-on-the-golf-course-1808967.html <p>To Beirut golf course (le "Royal Beirut" as it's known to locals wags) for a leisurely round. I haven't played here since I was about 12 years old. This is where I swung my very first golf club. There was an Egyptian pro who gave me lessons. </p> Dom Joly Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-olympic-spirit-is-alive-andfrench-1805132.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-olympic-spirit-is-alive-andfrench-1805132.html ]]> <p>Sadly, I arrived in Lebanon just too late to attend the "2009 Jeux de la Francophonie"– the sporting highlight of the French-Speaking World, and this year taking place in Beirut. The posters and signs were still all over the Lebanese capital. I have to admit to being a little ignorant of this French-speaking Olympics and so, aware that you would be keen to know more as well, I've done some research – don't thank me, it's my pleasure. </p> Dom Joly Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-lebanon-is-the-only-place-where-a-hummer-makes-sense-1804771.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-lebanon-is-the-only-place-where-a-hummer-makes-sense-1804771.html <p>Last week I wrote about how I was looking forward to driving in Lebanon again. I even mentioned that there were a couple of places in the world that might be more dangerous to drive in. I was wrong, dear reader - so very, very wrong. I'd forgotten just how "out there" driving in Lebanon can be. It's in a league of its own. </p> Dom Joly Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-olympic-golf-thats-not-crazy-enough-1801395.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-olympic-golf-thats-not-crazy-enough-1801395.html ]]> <p>I cannot believe that after all my suggestions last week regarding topless beach samba and international paintball with Sir Ross Kemp being the obvious new events for the Rio Olympics of 2016, I have been completely ignored. </p> Dom Joly Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-my-idea-of-driving-is-handbrake-turns-in-the-desert-1800903.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-my-idea-of-driving-is-handbrake-turns-in-the-desert-1800903.html <p>I'm off to Lebanon today. I'm going to be there for about a week and I've hired a car to get me around. I'm pretty excited about this, as I have to admit to finding driving in England very dull. It's only when you're in a car fighting your way through a city like Beirut that you can fully experience the visceral automotive thrills we have forgotten about in the UK. </p> Dom Joly Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100