Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Poor lavatory location and an inadequate fire alarm (Rousse)

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Dreamaticus

There was no mistake: this bed and breakfast was awful. How had they got away with positioning a toilet in the tiny dining room, and what use was a fire alarm system that relied on the proprietors shouting ‘Fire, fire’? … Continue reading →

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The dangers of tractor detailing (Rousse)

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Dreamaticus

TPR’s new role in life was tractor detailer. I watched him set up a machine for washing. I was very worried that he might accidentally start the tractor engine while underneath it and be crushed to death.

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A close encounter in the shower (Rousse)

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Dreamaticus

I was staying in a big chain hotel with thin walls and communal showers. I declared that I needed to wash my hair and KH (a pal from my undergraduate days) volunteered to assist me. I let him come as … Continue reading →

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RyanAir cancels flight then holds customers in airport overnight (Rousse)

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Dreamaticus

The RyanAir flight to London was cancelled and we were forced to stay in the airport overnight until 5:00am. No arguing with NI would persuade the staff to open the doors and let us out – even when I pointed … Continue reading →

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From student accommodation in Sheffield to unwelcome attention in the garden (Rousse)

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Dreamaticus

I left the conference with a PhD student who was also heading north. She offered me a bed for the night in her student house in Sheffield, which I willingly accepted – and then instantly regretted as we walked through … Continue reading →

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Aidan Turner signs autographs at the Edinburgh Fringe (Rousse)

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Dreamaticus

Poldark star Aidan Turner was signing autographs in person at an Edinburgh Fringe venue. When I asked HH if she was certain that he was actually there she reminded me of her insider role as wardrobe mistress. The person that … Continue reading →

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An insider’s view of the Edinburgh Fringe (Rousse)

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Dreamaticus

It was Fringe time in Edinburgh but this year was different because I was now one of the organisers. (I actually resented the extra work as committee secretary, and resolved to resign as soon as I was promoted.) BR and … Continue reading →

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Trapped in JK Rowling’s producer’s tent (Rousse)

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Dreamaticus

JK Rowling’s TV producer Lisa let me sit in her tent. I was there so long that I got sewn up inside it.

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Poisonous crabs and unpierced ears in Australia (Rousse)

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Dreamaticus

I took TPR’s Auntie Rita on a trip to Australia. On the first day we bought some provisions from a chemist and took them to the park where poisonous crabs ran through the grass. I met a lovely father of … Continue reading →

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Academic highs and lows (Rousse)

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Dreamaticus

There it was in print: my first co-authored paper with BC. Best of all, when BC read it out loud to me from the pages of the journal it was the sweetest bedtime story ever. Granted it was only a … Continue reading →

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