Tag Archives: handbag

Dead grandmother joins Rousse on an uncomfortable trip to Ireland (Rousse)

It was a long journey to Ireland by sea and coach. My poor Granny H, dressed in her usual uniform of camel, smiled the whole way, but in my heart I knew that she was not enjoying herself – especially … Continue reading

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A wasted trip to the University of Birmingham’s Muirhead Tower (Rousse)

I found my timetable on a scrunched up piece of brown paper in the bottom of my handbag. I’d looked at it so infrequently that I was unsure as to which way it read: were those the hours across the … Continue reading

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Rowan Atkinson secrets overheard in hotel lift (Rousse)

After months of planning, the day of my conference finally arrived. A little behind schedule, I popped into the hotel dining room to see who else had made it to breakfast. A surprising number of delegates were there, the majority … Continue reading

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On trend for autumn 2012: the frog face shoulder bag (Rousse)

The conference exhibition had changed beyond all recognition. Gone were the sales reps touting the latest online systems. In their place craft-folk traded handmade ware, such as traditional wooden toys and hand-woven reed baskets. On a leatherwork stall I saw … Continue reading

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Daily Mail Eurovision Song Contest hoax (Rousse)

It had all been such a rush that none of us – not even E – had remembered to print off boarding passes for the flight from Birmingham. So here were all three of us forking out an extra £20 … Continue reading

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JK Rowling bakes a mean meringue (Rousse)

This is the tale of the day that JK Rowling and I finally secured our friendship. It didn’t start well… BR scolded me. He couldn’t understand why I thought it acceptable to walk the length of the railway line completely … Continue reading

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A nightclub, a gift shop, and plastic surgery secrets (Rousse)

I didn’t normally frequent nightclubs, but TPR was away and I wasn’t going to stay in on a Saturday night. I jumped into a taxi with three young men, muttered an apology for hitching this free ride, and travelled with … Continue reading

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Former Sun Microsystems employee turns to a life of crime (Rousse)

The Australian lady appeared to be doing the woman at my table a favour. She said that she was returning the lime green purse that had dropped out of the other woman’s handbag. I, however, was unconvinced that this was … Continue reading

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Birmingham University confessions, a career with moleskin trousers, and underwater cycle kayaking (Rousse)

SB kicked off the Birmingham University French department reunion by suggesting that we read the “confessions” from last time. She actually meant the comments on the 2006 evaluation sheets, which she passed around the table. Personally I would have preferred … Continue reading

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