Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Two double beds, four American exchange students, and an older woman (Rousse)

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I soon guessed WB’s plan when she invited me to spend the day with her at her ex-husband AB’s house in the country: matchmaking. I willingly made the visit with her, but also insisted afterwards that the pair of us … Continue reading →

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The first cuckoo of Spring (Belle)

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Dreamaticus

My tiny home was being ‘cuckooed’ – every day more people that I didn’t know were moving in and it seemed my ex boyfriend was the instigator. I eventually snapped when I realised that someone had secretly replaced my step … Continue reading →

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Racing across the world exposes dirty linen (Belle)

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Dreamaticus

Apparently I was “the worst-prepared contestant” the programme makers of Race Across the World had ever seen. When I arrived at the starting point I didn’t even have a rucksack. The BBC production team forced me to fashion one out … Continue reading →

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The Le Creuset criminal (Rousse)

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Dreamaticus

Not only did the new Le Creuset salesman switch my perfect frying pan for a dud, he also stole my idea of collecting pots, pans, and other kitchenware to create a Le Creuset rainbow.

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Looking for loos along the LNER East Coast route (Rousse)

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Dreamaticus

All the toilets at York railway station were out of order – and I was desperate to go to the loo. The only option was to catch the next train south, travel 125 miles to Peterborough, and use the facilities … Continue reading →

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How not to start a start-up (Rousse)

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Dreamaticus

Following a week of unpaid training, I felt able to offer JS £200 per day to work in my consulting firm. The only problem was that I added to her payroll before we had any clients. In fact, we didn’t … Continue reading →

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Begging Martin Jarvis (Rousse)

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Dreamaticus

When Martin Jarvis was working on the counter of the public library, I wasn’t the only one desperate for him to put down his stamp and read stories to us instead. ‘Just half an hour, please!’ I begged.

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A doomed trip to Orkney (Rousse)

Posted on April 27, 2025 by Dreamaticus

There was quite a crowd of us on holiday together in the north of Scotland. This made it difficult to enjoy time on my own with my Canadian cousins NT and DT, who had crossed the Atlantic to spend a … Continue reading →

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Driving a wooden train and a bonus human pyramid (Belle)

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Dreamaticus

My new job was driving a red wooden train in a New York department store. The best part of the job was tooting the horn and aggressively waving at shoppers, insisting they move to the side of the aisles so … Continue reading →

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In defence of the ‘Nonsense Norwegian’ (Rousse)

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Dreamaticus

The residential staff retreat was a dreary affair. As I stood in a queue waiting for my turn to take part in the next ‘exciting’ activity – charity shop shopping – my mother-in-law lifted my woollen jumper to check that … Continue reading →

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