Monthly Archives: July 2017

A paper on the informational content of food – rejected (Rousse)

SM agreed to leave the house and type an email to the conference organiser at Sunderland University. ‘If you ask for a start time of 4pm, I can attend after conducting a PhD viva’, I suggested. When SM learnt that … Continue reading

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A new ‘seaside university’ (Rousse)

Over the summer months one of Edinburgh’s venerable institutions of higher education transformed itself into a ‘seaside university’ complete with beach, sea and funfair. Portobello was no longer the only show in town.

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A missing guest at Val McDermid ceremony mix-up (Rousse)

Val McDermid invited me to her celebration at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. I was so honoured to be asked, especially when I learnt that it was a small, intimate affair at which only about 20 people would be present. … Continue reading

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A two-legged Jack Russell terrier (Rousse)

TPR and I were walking along a narrow path next to a glistening stream when a truncated Jack Russell terrier ran up to us. It was all head and no body, but managed to get about with no problem at … Continue reading

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Katie Hopkins on University Challenge (Rousse)

‘Katie Hopkins? Katie Hopkins on University Challenge?’ I asked. ‘Yes’, replied HJ, ‘Representing Birmingham University’. This was all related to me on a Scottish beach where, by complete coincidence, was gathered an array of my undergraduate friends. Here I also … Continue reading

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Library staff roles in University elearning systems (Rousse)

The vice chancellor was going to the US for a fortnight and left SC in charge of everything, including finance. Just before he left, he asked SC to read out the history of the University as printed in gold embroidery … Continue reading

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Highland hotel murder mystery quiz mistaken for Dr Who rehearsal (Rousse)

We recognised the ghillie as the one from the Ardushiane Hotel. He had once asked on the last evening of a weekend trip to the Highlands whether we would be shooting the next day. At the time I had been … Continue reading

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Quad on the Tyne – with David Tennant (Rousse)

My mother took up observing the wildlife of East Lothian in the dead of night using infra-red technology. She invited us to join her one evening. David Tennant turned up to wave us off – my mother on a quadbike, … Continue reading

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Easter egg wedding presents (Rousse)

AL and EF turfed out their tenants and returned to the flat above ours to host their wedding celebrations with their two children. There was no wedding list. As a result, AL and EF amassed a load of unexpected presents. … Continue reading

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In-law social climbers (Rousse)

My in-laws were terrible social climbers. They forced me and my husband to enter a cycling race that – if we won – would reward us with a job placement with some posh person. (Of course, it was highly unlikely … Continue reading

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