Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Local government loo inspection incognito (Rousse)

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Dreamaticus

TPR found us a new house in a smart Glasgow terrace opposite a park. Next I had to find a new job. I accepted a lift to a run-down provincial town where I met Margaret, my new boss in local … Continue reading →

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Paris waves freeze on last day of finals (Rousse)

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I took my last final exam on the day that the Paris waves froze. My entire cohort was gathered there in summer dresses – even DM, slim and beautiful in red, yellow and blue. I had done no revision at … Continue reading →

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Andy Murray and his secret TV quiz show lover (Rousse)

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Dreamaticus

DM and I were each paired up with a man to compete in a geographic television quiz show that required us to name all the streets of Stockton-on-Tees. The experience was so intense that each couple fell in love. My … Continue reading →

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A pin-up litter picker (Rousse)

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Dreamaticus

TPR was the pin-up of Newcastle University. My nephew PMF was his agent. He arranged for TPR to live free of charge in the a hall of residence room, provided that he would pick up the litter on campus.

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A present of chocolate bananas (Rousse)

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Dreamaticus

While I checked out the porcelain dishes, vases, jugs and bowls (some of which almost looked like glug jugs), DB bought me a bag of white and dark chocolate bananas.

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Learning to drive in a mark I Ford Escort (Rousse)

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I had rashly offered to teach one of my new colleagues how to drive. I regarded this offer as a means of helping Gail and her husband out financially. They only had one income between them because the husband stayed … Continue reading →

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An incontinent labradoodle (Rousse)

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Dreamaticus

My school friend JC invited my fellow undergraduate CP to visit from France to celebrate her 50th birthday. I wondered what CP would make of the two rescue dogs – in particular the incontinent labradoodle.

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How to tell if a cameo brooch is fake (Rousse)

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Dreamaticus

Granny H pressed the brown cameo brooch into my hand. ‘Here, have this’ she said. I was pleased to take it, but I knew that I would never wear it. Where there should have been two white engravings there was … Continue reading →

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A [deleted] academic idiot (Rousse)

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Dreamaticus

There was precisely one hour before my first lecture of the new academic year – and I had done no teaching prep WHATSOEVER. RR urged me to at least make a couple of PowerPoint slides, while I wondered how many … Continue reading →

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Stevie Wonder misses his flight (Rousse)

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Dreamaticus

Stevie Wonder, his female friend, TPR, two other computer industry experts and I were chatting in the bar while Stevie and his companion were waiting for a flight. I checked my watch. It was 19:15. ‘What time is your flight?’ … Continue reading →

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