Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Unwelcome in Radcliffe-on-Trent (Rousse)

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Dreamaticus

I took a huge risk crossing the strait by canoe without a life-jacket, but made it safely to Radcliffe-on-Trent. I realised my mistake the moment that I intercepted my sister-in-law JLR and niece F, who were on their way to … Continue reading →

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A very short-lived relationship with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (Belle)

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Dreamaticus

I moved in with The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) and admired the massive double bed with a crisp white bedspread. However, by teatime, Dwayne had moved out and Andy Samberg had let his small daughter drive – and wreck – my car.

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A wandering whiteboard and a late PhD submission (Rousse)

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Dreamaticus

After all the expense of transporting it, I returned to Edinburgh from Glasgow without my precious mini whiteboard. It was fortunate that my cousin EB had a suitcase large enough to carry it back to Bristol by plane, although I … Continue reading →

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Best friends with a fishing rod vandal in Chamberlain Square (Belle)

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Dreamaticus

The view from my desk was one over Chamberlain Square in Birmingham. I watched as a woman reversed out of an office door and eventually emerged wielding two 30-foot fishing poles. The first thing she did was bring bring down … Continue reading →

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Belle and Spain have a messy break-up

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Dreamaticus

I was being manipulated into declaring war against Spain. Spain’s solicitor had written to me asking for its assets back. Without permission, my solicitor had replied that Spain could go stuff itself and we’d see it on the battlefield.

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The mark of a dyslexic (Rousse)

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Dreamaticus

AO was so severely dyslexic that he bought me a fancy pencil case with the boy’s name Mark incorporated into the design. When I questioned his choice of present, he confessed that he had no idea what the text said. … Continue reading →

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Diamond disappointment (Rousse)

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Dreamaticus

Three decades after graduating with our first degrees, several of my peers were once more taking rooms on campus. I had two sets of accommodation to organise: (1) at the University of Birmingham; (2) in France. In Birmingham I showed … Continue reading →

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Demelza Poldark tour guide (Rousse)

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Dreamaticus

Demelza Poldark planned my summer holiday for me.

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Fiona Bruce fake friend (Rousse)

Posted on August 3, 2019 by Dreamaticus

At the first conference Fiona Bruce treated me with respect, and even gave the impression that she would like to be my friend. That said, she still managed to convey a sense of superiority over the academic delegates. It did … Continue reading →

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Chinese tour of Scotland (Rousse)

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Dreamaticus

We had been ‘volunteered’ to take a Chinese man and his elderly mother on a tour of the Scottish highlands. The ‘elderly mother’ seemed rather childish to me, stuffing herself with sweets in the front passenger seat of the car. … Continue reading →

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