Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Wimbledon tennis star happy in retirement (Rousse)

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Dreamaticus

The two international tennis superstars squealed with joy when they saw me. “We’ll never forget your performance in the semi-final at Wimbledon 2013” said Charlotte as Natalia covered me with kisses. “Do you ever think of coming out of retirement?” … Continue reading →

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A cruel white lichen attack (Rousse)

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Dreamaticus

I hadn’t appreciated the poor state of public transport in the US until I attempted to use the service to get from a conference hotel to an airport. The driver and his lackeys were particularly unkind to passengers. They did … Continue reading →

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Paris holiday con (Rousse)

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Dreamaticus

We thought that we were staying in a luxury hotel in Paris, but it was a complete con. The façade of the building was genuinely in the French capital, but as soon as we exited the glass lifts on the … Continue reading →

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Teacher tickles semi-naked student in class (Rousse)

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Dreamaticus

TPR was very efficient with his packing. I was less so, scattering the hotel room with my belongings, and wondering how on earth I would get back from the room to the lab by 11:00 for my special class on … Continue reading →

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Broad bean babies transform into aconites (Rousse)

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Dreamaticus

My cousin EV asked if we could look after her newborn baby. I was very nervous about accepting the invitation, especially since the baby was only the size of a broad bean. It was obvious that this would be a … Continue reading →

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Cruel dangers of extreme abseiling (Rousse)

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Dreamaticus

JM insisted that extreme abseiling was just the sport for us. One day he invited us along to see members of his club in action. From a short distance we watched nervously as LS dropped down the grey crags on … Continue reading →

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Jaded academic seeks oblivion with the help of yellow jellied cocaine (Rousse)

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Dreamaticus

It took us a while to find the meeting on the top floor of a deserted University building. The venue was a formal board room, and it was packed. All the great and good were there, including KW who greeted … Continue reading →

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On course for a secret love affair (Rousse)

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Dreamaticus

I was a student again. I’m not sure what motivated to study at undergraduate level once more, but I was enjoying the experience. The facilities at the University Birmingham thirty years since I first graduated were phenomenal. I was even … Continue reading →

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A breach of book group etiquette (Rousse)

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Dreamaticus

I felt sorry for our hostess E when I heard J and D shouting at each other in the next room. They really should have dealt with their disagreements over work at the office before joining our monthly book group … Continue reading →

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News of sex scandal ‘of BBC proportions’ breaks at British university (Rousse)

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Dreamaticus

BD and I were dealing with a wee dilemma. Our colleague X was doing the rounds asking for sponsorship. Meanwhile we needed to approach the same people to gather contributions to X’s retirement present. We feared that few people would … Continue reading →

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