Monthly Archives: December 2025

Winning the train quiz (Rousse)

TPR issued us all with a National Museums of Scotland worksheet. When I saw the set of questions on early passenger trains from the 1820s, I was convinced that I would win this quiz.

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Donkey-dog terrorises peaceful Northumbrian village (Rousse)

I walked the length of the main street of the pretty Northumbrian village. Where the stone cottages gave way to fields full of livestock, an animal leapt over the wooden fence and bounded towards me. I struggled to identify the … Continue reading

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Circus tricks for dogs (Rousse)

In the time that I travelled up one floor in the hotel lift, I taught three stray dogs a range of impressive circus tricks.

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Car lock-out at the agricultural show (Rousse)

Dressed only in my light white cotton nightie, I was locked out of my mother’s car at an agricultural show. I looked like a sad ghost wandering past the pens of livestock and craft stalls in the vast field, hunting … Continue reading

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David Tennant is rude (Rousse)

David Tennant continued chattering even after I asked everyone, including him, to pay attention to my funny story. That morning I had woken up, dressed, and made my way to work – all without checking the time. Campus wasn’t open … Continue reading

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Accommodation angst with an archeologist (Rousse)

Life would be a lot easier if I lodged with archeologist RJ at least one night a week in her shared flat in Newington. So we made an arrangement for me to start a trial run on Wednesday. I bought … Continue reading

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From holiday to homeless (Belle)

My holiday in a mystery European city was turning into a disaster. When I asked “where am I?” people thought I was joking and refused to answer. The road layout kept on changing, and the students who were hosting me … Continue reading

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Unwelcome chair, cat, and guest (Rousse)

What was my mother’s old recliner-riser chair doing back in our sitting room? Why was my sister’s cat rolling round on the floor? And – more to the point – how had my sister managed to get into the house … Continue reading

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Belle invents a new word

While trying to explain the enormous pumpkin I had accidentally grown, and which was now stored on the kitchen floor, I told my neighbour it was caused by ‘probundance’ – problematic abundance.

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Party animal (Belle)

I woke up on a park bench and saw I was wearing a very ugly pair of bulky black shoes. I asked my companion what had happened. He explained that I had been ‘blackout drunk’ and had gone on a … Continue reading

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