Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Bathing with a blue bath bomb (Rousse)

EH recommended the spa bath. I didn’t understand its attraction until I added the blue bath bomb to the water. I was annoyed, however, to discover that I was under observation while I was meant to be relaxing.

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PhD students excel at motor cross conference (Rousse)

My PhD students were at a conference that combined academic studies with motor cross. They had made friends with some of the practitioners with whom I’d had a lot of contact in the past, and taken to the racing track … Continue reading

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Belle’s secret husband (Rousse)

Nobody had ever told me that Belle was once married to my friend NS. It had only been for a very short time, but from the video of the pair of them dancing at their wedding they both looked very … Continue reading

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In the office with Barack Obama and Boris Johnson (Belle)

This new job certainly had its contrasts.  Yes, I was sharing the office with a branch of Marks and Spencer Simply Food that specialised in apricot Danish pastries – hooray.  Yes, Barack Obama had a desk on the other side … Continue reading

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Intern adventures include Lord of the Rings team-building exercise on horseback #LOTR

I started my placement at an office that was just a five minute walk from my flat. I wasn’t the only intern: three pupils from Drummond High School had also been taken on by the firm. I found these children … Continue reading

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Helicopter rescue for fashion disaster (Rousse)

I was really struggling with my work wardrobe. Everything I liked was unsuitable; everything suitable I disliked. Meanwhile my sister J was having much more success – largely because she had gone on a shopping spree before the start of … Continue reading

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Special services for ladies of a certain age (Rousse)

JTX and his partner set up a business to deliver special services to ladies of a certain age. I was astonished (yet delighted) that a couple of gay guys would be so expert in their new metier. My only criticism … Continue reading

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Neighbours banned from local ‘cinema’ (Rousse)

Now that I had more time to myself I was determined to improve our living arrangements. First I would find a long antique dining table for the unused space in the inner hall. Then I was going to stop our … Continue reading

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Girl meets girl on Hebridean beach (Rousse)

I interviewed grown-up members of a boy band (established High Hall, University of Birmingham c 1983), took photos of the beautiful Hebridean beaches, and swam in the warm sea. When KA and I emerged from the water a tourist took … Continue reading

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1970s bed linen, out of reach kitchen appliances, and a gift of £1000 (Rousse)

TPR and I were staying with KLX at his London flat while the rest of his family spent the summer in Ireland. KLX admitted that he wasn’t the best of housekeepers and asked me to help make up the beds … Continue reading

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