Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Trick-cycling, pogo-ing, and the real purpose of a private education (Rousse)

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Dreamaticus

After watching a friend’s son trick-cycle his way down the yellow-painted banister of an Edinburgh tenement staircase, I took my pogo stick and bounced along the streets to my new girls’ school. So much for school fees: the teachers at … Continue reading →

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Supper, sex, and Mrs McPherson (Rousse)

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Dreamaticus

The nippy waitress was appalled at our amorous antics in the restaurant. She told us to get dressed while she reported our behaviour to the restaurant owner. ‘Report whatever you want’, I replied, ‘I doubt that Mrs McPherson will care.’ … Continue reading →

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The six-inch shrunken body of Queen Victoria and illegal car manoeuvres (Rousse)

Posted on September 8, 2024 by Dreamaticus

The old man cradled the six-inch shrunken body of Queen Victoria, then offered to lend me his hire car. This was perfect. Now I would be able to reach the river and take a lovely walk. I conveniently forgot that … Continue reading →

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Luminous lime drinks at Olympia (Rousse)

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Dreamaticus

It was early December and I was back at London Olympia for the first time in years. Even with my injured hand encased in a large, padded (and bloodied) glove, I was going to enjoy myself immensely. Unfortunately, however, I … Continue reading →

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Stolen iPhone misery (Rousse)

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Dreamaticus

While scrolling madly through incoming text and images on their mobile phones, the crush of teenage girls in the tube carriage shouted over the heads of all the other passengers. What vile behaviour, I thought. I realised that I should … Continue reading →

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Donald Trump supervises knicker removal registration (Rousse)

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Dreamaticus

Donald Trump observed me from his seat behind the table at the bottom of the stairs. It was hard work for me to totter down the steps towards him in my blue high heeled sandals. However, if I wanted to … Continue reading →

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Check your junk mail folder (Rousse)

Posted on August 29, 2024 by Dreamaticus

I felt obliged to pass on the news to LM that her conference paper was not, in fact, rejected. Rather, it had been warmly welcomed by the programme committee and already published in the conference proceedings. Unfortunately, however, there was … Continue reading →

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A Sheffield cult and Sunderland snobbery (Rousse)

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Dreamaticus

All that was left of TPR was his black hand-knitted jumper. It was almost as if he had shed this – his ‘shell’ – as his final act before his disappearance. The only clue to TPR’s whereabouts was a last … Continue reading →

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Root vegetables, pizza, and sisters (Rousse)

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Dreamaticus

My sister S was a nightmare guest. Since – in her opinion – we had so little food in the house, she persuaded my sister-in-law SLHG to deliver several kilos of carrots and sweet potatoes to the front door. She … Continue reading →

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Boxes and foxes (Rousse)

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Dreamaticus

KH handed me a small white box with a promise that he would explain the contents just as soon as he had checked the pan on the stove in the kitchen. When he failed to return, I popped the box … Continue reading →

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