Articles

Where the Canals Fly 📚

The day we met. A crocodile and a bumblee at Bestival, UK.

My book is a wedding present to my wife and daughter. It’s a story of loss and love. 

It’s our story. 

In 2010, I went to a fancy dress festival in the UK called Bestival and I was dressed as a crocodile. Somewhere between the sounds of Hot Chip, The Prodigy and The Flaming Lips, I met Alice, who was dressed as a bumblebee. I turned to my friend Will and I asked him “who’s that girl?” That was the start of it all!

We briefly dated, then life did what life does—it moved on. We lost touch, and for more than a decade, we didn’t see each other.

A mutual friend Caroline put us back in touch after so many years and we’ve been together ever since.

Fast forward to today, we’re living in Amsterdam with our little baby girl Mila and the memory of that crocodile and bumblebee has found new life in the pages of my first children’s book: Where the Canals Fly

Set in a whimsical version of Amsterdam, the story follows Charlie the Crocodile, who has lost his dear friend, Bella the Bumblebee. One day, she vanishes, swept away by a powerful gust of wind. But Charlie doesn’t give up. He sets out on an adventure through the winding canals, over bridges, and through some of my favourite spots in the city, to get her back.

Along the way, he encounters a cast of delightful characters, all my nephews and niece! Creatures who each offer a little wisdom, and some riddles to keep Charlie on the move. At its core, it's about something simple: how easy it is to lose each other in a complicated and busy world. 

It’s a tale about timing. How in 2010 we were perhaps too young for each other and that time apart was necessary for us. It’s a fun story for children, but also one that I hope resonates with anyone who’s ever lost someone and dared to find them again.

I want to thank my amazing illustrator Daria, based in Ukraine, who is a master of her craft. Thank you Daria for all your hard work and for bearing with me! :)

And because stories can do more than entertain, I pledge 10% of all sales from Where the Canals Fly to Oxfam, a great charity that my Mum is a volunteer for. 

So, thank you for reading the backstory and if you decide to buy the book, I hope it takes you somewhere magical.

With love,
Ben x x

Store of Value or Medium of Exchange? What the future hodls for Bitcoin

Bitcoin is never going to be all things to all people. As a young asset, it can’t simultaneously be a store of value and a medium of exchange. It doesn’t have to be, as Saylor points out. I think over the next 100 years it will become a formidable digital store of value for everyone with a cheap smartphone and access to the internet. It will over the same time period stabilize and become more and more suitable as a global currency — with very attractive consumer incentives to spend.

With the halving in April 2024, there are exciting times ahead for anyone who takes the time to learn, buy and hold Bitcoin for the long-term.

https://medium.com/@benridgway/store-of-value-or-medium-of-exchange-b7a821f08a86

Unveiling SC Navigator 4.0 – What’s new in the latest release?

Our latest release, launching on June 1st, 2023, is set to enhance the way businesses approach strategic network design and tactical decision-making, allowing companies to select the features that are most important to them. This new modular approach means businesses can add on key features as they grow, speeding up user onboarding all while saving time and money.

https://www.aimms.com/story/whats-new-in-the-latest-release-of-sc-navigator-4-0/

Discovering Bitcoin

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, what your beliefs are, your income or your surname — Bitcoin is an open protocol for all to join. With a cheap smartphone and access to the internet, you can buy a fraction of a Bitcoin and start investing for the future now.

Discovering and understanding Bitcoin taught me more about money, finance, investing, value, time and technology than throughout all my time at school, university and even work.

It gives me hope for a better future for all.

https://bit.ly/3DaL9Nk

The Changing Nature Of Ownership

Urbanisation, technology, convenience, cost, regulation and a fluctuating economy have all played their part in the shift away from ownership in recent years.

But how quickly are things changing now? From autonomous vehicles to apps that make lifting a finger the most strenuous thing you’ll do. Here’s a dive into four industries:

https://bit.ly/2Eb0qjC

Amsterdam for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and a cheeky snack

Breakfast | Mook Pancakes

Why go? Stacked 3 high, their pancakes are covered in maple syrup and coconut shavings. It’s the best way to wake up in Amsterdam. Expect a queue after 9:30

Brunch | Ted’s

Why go? If you hardly slept from the night before, Ted’s all-day brunch is your remedy. Try the group Bloody Mary.

Lunch | Le Plantage

Why go? Head here for the best priced lunch in Amsterdam. The tartines on sourdough bread are €8. Take your pick from smoked salmon and beetroot, lemon marinated chicken with tzatziki and my favourite, bavette steak, mozzarella and pine nuts.

Dinner | Jansz at The Pulitzer

Why go? One of the best meals I’ve ever had. I came here for my birthday and had the scallops to start and lobster risotto for my main. Have a cocktail in the Pulitzer Bar before to get things going.

Snack | Van Stepele

Why go? Why are Van Stepele’s freshly baked cookies the best in the world? Because they only offer one kind and that’s it. Take it or leave it. Expect a queue at all times.

My Top 5 Amsterdam Museums in pictures

Amsterdam is brimming with art and culture. As a visitor or resident there’s always something new to discover.

Take a look at my top 5 Amsterdam museums.

 

5. Stedelijk Museum | @Stedelijk - modern and contemporary art and design

4. De Hermitage | @dehermitage - permanent Russian & Dutch Golden Age Exhibitions

3. Anne Frank Museum | @annefrankhouse - Anne’s house and biographical museum

2. Rijksmuseum | @rijksmuseum - Dutch National Museum

1. Van Gogh Museum | @vangoghmuseum - the world’s largest Van Gogh collection

Virgin STRIVE Complete

A big thanks to everyone who sponsored me for the third leg of the Virgin STRIVE challenge in souther Italy. I'm almost over my £2,000 fundraising target and while it was an extremely tough 700km over 5 days, it was equally rewarding. 

Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and striving for a scary goal is the best way to grow.

bit.ly/VSTRIVE

57 Trillion

How do you create a global system that can pinpoint your location so easily that a child could use it? Simply slice the world up into 57 trillion 3x3m squares.

Say goodbye to postcodes, zipcodes and long addresses. All you have to do is remember three little words. Not only is this link my home address, it's my front door: http://w3w.co/lines.spite.across

The commercial opportunities are huge for what3words. Think about drone deliveries and logistics companies using the software to send goods exactly where they're needed. Not to mention customisation of the squares. I'm sure consumers and companies would pay to personalise their offices, outlets and homes. Nike = just.do.it Kellogs = snap.crackle.pop

Definitely one to watch.