Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Terry Wogan’s dog (Rousse)

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Dreamaticus

I bumped into Terry Wogan walking his white west highland terrier in the woods. At the time I was carrying a sleek black cat (sneakily kidnapped in the Midlands).

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Unwelcome distraction at the British Library (Rousse)

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Dreamaticus

It was a huge commitment to travel from Edinburgh to London by train every Saturday to study medieval manuscripts in the British Library. This is why I objected so much to the shopping concession in the Humanities Reading Room and … Continue reading →

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Battle of Flodden commemorations preview (Rousse)

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Dreamaticus

We were stuck in an ill-equipped classroom several miles out of town away from the excellent resources of our main campus. Somehow I had to entertain this small class of postgrad students with no access to the online materials that … Continue reading →

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Thirsty Queen congratulates academic on latest leg of jubilee tour (Rousse)

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Dreamaticus

For security reasons the date of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee visit to campus had been kept a closely guarded secret. It was a complete coincidence that I happened to come into the office on that particular day at the height … Continue reading →

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Vegetable gardening failure (Belle)

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Dreamaticus

While potting on the seedlings, I had a sudden crisis of confidence. Why had I thought it a good idea to plant tomatoes on the dog’s back?

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Trip to fishing tackle shop trumps rapids ride (Rousse)

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Dreamaticus

For all this time my parents had believed that they couldn’t walk very far, yet here they were heading home to England from Poitiers in France by foot. My mother even managed to carry a heavy shopping bag in one … Continue reading →

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Ménage à trois shocker (Rousse)

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Dreamaticus

RG was executor of ECM’s will. Finally there was someone who could explain the controversy over my school friend’s lifestyle. Apparently everyone disapproved of E and her husband P’s domestic set-up in which their housekeeper Jane was counted as one … Continue reading →

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George Clooney autograph bonanza (Rousse)

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Dreamaticus

George Clooney was here! I saw him leaning against the wall, dressed in a lightweight beige linen suit, watching everyone. Nobody else seemed to have noticed him. This was an opportunity too good to miss. I raced over with a … Continue reading →

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Silver landmarks a huge hit with the tourists (Rousse)

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Dreamaticus

For the third time JB asked if I would help teach the first years how to dance, and once more I happily accepted her invitation. Didn’t she ever read her e-mail? Standing in her office, I also wondered why JB … Continue reading →

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Chocolate cheesecake recipe wins national award (Rousse)

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Dreamaticus

Hidden on the back page amongst stories of minor sporting triumphs, and presented in a tiny font, I read the most exciting news. My friend DT was the overall winner of the UK chocolate cheesecake championship!

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