Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Idi Amin’s secret son (Rousse)

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Dreamaticus

I couldn’t sleep so, in the middle of the night, I visited our old neighbours. It was about 1:00am and they were watching television as a wind-down before bedtime. I recognised an episode of The book group on the screen. … Continue reading →

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Exposed at Villa Park and a travel guide to a Hollywood star (Belle)

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Dreamaticus

As I was wheeling my suitcase slowly up a hill, I was accosted by two men, drinking cans of lager and invading my personal space. My normal response in such situations (aggressive, foul language) was not working and I felt … Continue reading →

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Dealing with an Uber scammer (Rousse)

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Dreamaticus

The Uber driver must have tricked his passengers dozens of times, but the four of us would not be fooled. We played along when he turned a short 10 minute trip to town into the charade of an extended trek … Continue reading →

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The Paris Apple iwatch thief (Rousse)

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Dreamaticus

When we rented a one-bedroomed studio holiday apartment in Paris, we didn’t expect that it would be open to other visitors day and night, and completely insecure. The thief who stole my iwatch cleverly replaced it with another watch of … Continue reading →

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Undergraduate accommodation options (Rousse)

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Dreamaticus

Student finances were so tight that the university accommodation choice for the typical undergraduate student boiled down to: A very expensive traditional room in hall A ‘blow-up bedroom’ – effectively a blow-up mattress inside a tiny tent ‘Suitcase sleeping’ – … Continue reading →

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Uninvited garden vandals (Rousse)

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Dreamaticus

What a sight greeted me when I opened the back door! Someone had bored a massive circular 20 foot deep hole in the centre of the lawn, most likely using the heavy duty digger that stood against the wall next … Continue reading →

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Nicking a notebook, a nightclub, and finding photos from the 1980s (Rousse)

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Dreamaticus

The brand new thick red-covered notebook on my mother-in-law’s kitchen table was ideal for my assessment task. I grabbed a black Sharpie pen, then very neatly wrote the title of my work on the cover. Almost as soon as I … Continue reading →

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Secret old lady’s clothes stash discovered in toddler’s bedroom (Rousse)

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Dreamaticus

Just when we thought that I had dealt with all my mother’s personal effects following her death, I discovered a small chest of drawers stuffed with some of her clothes – in the bedroom of a small blonde child that … Continue reading →

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Ignored by Canadians (Rousse)

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Dreamaticus

At my cousin’s farm in Somerset, I shared JB’s bath water and TPR sorted out our Mac accessories while the Canadian branch of the family ignored us.

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Anonymous author anger (Rousse)

Posted on January 11, 2026 by Dreamaticus

My research group made its home on a single floor of a 1970s high rise. Although the building’s exterior was ugly, we did well to make the inside cosy with antique furniture and carefully positioned ornaments. Everyone seemed happy enough … Continue reading →

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