Monthly Archives: December 2013

A post-REF ghost train ride around Edinburgh (Rousse)

I picked the DVD up from reception at Queen Margaret University’s Corstorphine campus and carried it down to the staff room. I needed someone to help me proof the multimedia excerpts that had been added to my most recent publication … Continue reading

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Sun protection – Australian style (Rousse)

I located my Uncle J soon after I arrived in Australia. He was busy pulling up plants in the part of the bush that he called his garden. “Get indoors!” he shouted in alarm, chasing after me. I ran into … Continue reading

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A failed smoker catches the ghost bus (Rousse)

JS gave me £1.50 and I waited for the bus. I missed two number 11s because I wasn’t paying attention. Then I attempted to smoke a cigarette in the bus shelter, but the filter was broken and I didn’t know … Continue reading

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Woman in a pink nightdress “haunts” modern Georgian house (Rousse)

At first I thought that this “modern Georgian house” was pretty dull. Of course the drab paintwork and the tall presses on the ground floor were in keeping with the Georgian ideal, but you could find this kind of decoration … Continue reading

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The secret bride (Rousse)

Everyone loved miniature party girl NP. Tonight our tiny friend was wearing an elegant cream satin dress studded with sparkling sequins. One of the men carried her on his shoulders so everyone could see how beautiful she looked. I called … Continue reading

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Giant baby kangaroo paddles in Luskentyre Bay (Rousse)

A, C, S and N proposed a commune holiday on the Isle of Harris later in the year. Since TPR and I were already there, the others tasked us with checking out the various self-catering cottages that A had identified … Continue reading

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Prosthetic limbs, a party, and a professor (Rousse)

TPR was mobile again now that he had been kitted out with the same type of blades favoured by Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius. He wore them in public for the first time at ED’s party in West Lothian. The party … Continue reading

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An audience with Paul Weller (Rousse)

Paul Weller was just visible through the sitting room window. He seemed to be singing to himself while all the others at the party were listening to old vinyl records. I signalled to him from the street to join me. … Continue reading

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Police raid Edinburgh basement cocaine factory (Rousse)

I had housed GP as an act of charity. In truth I didn’t know much about him other than he and I attended the same school for a short while in the 1970s. I learnt that my generosity was a … Continue reading

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A friendship renewed (Rousse)

When we passed on Bonnington Road I was sure I saw a flicker of recognition flash across his face. Was this acknowledgement of our shared history? Of course I was far too shy to stop and ask so would never … Continue reading

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