Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Three in a bed shocker (Rousse)

Although DM had a great reputation for hospitality, and the accommodation that she presented to me was exactly as described, I was shocked when I realised that DM expected me to sleep three in a bed with my university friends … Continue reading →

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John Cleese car beater copycat (Rousse)

John Cleese must have heard similar stories hundreds of times before. Nevertheless, he was still kind enough to smile when I explained that my father used to lose his temper Basil Fawlty style, and could easily be envisaged striking the … Continue reading →

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Bus fatalities on the Isle of Lewis (Rousse)

TPR and I gave up walking and caught the 38 bus – bang on time at 17:01 – for the rest of our journey. I sat at the back with a young Polish man who marvelled at the standing stones … Continue reading →

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Risk of bias in ‘The Rest is history’ episodes puzzles Sandbrook and Holland (Rousse)

Dominic Sandbrook looked aghast when the Rest is history panel member from York University interrupted him. What right did he have to cut the recording of Sandbrook’s opening line of the latest episode? ‘You must drop these background narratives at … Continue reading →

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‘Dead’ sister alive in Spain (Rousse)

I was on holiday in Spain rummaging through junk on a flea market stall when my phone rang. My sister J was calling with news that we had feared for years: S had died. What made it worse was that … Continue reading →

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Falling for a romance scammer (Rousse)

He was tall, dark, handsome – and impeccably dressed in a starched white shirt adorned with gold cufflinks that peeped out of the sleeves of his sharp dark grey suit. When JM introduced him to me, I believed that I … Continue reading →

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Matt Smith the parrot strangler (Belle)

I was not sure why RM-H was ignoring me. He was walking down a black and white corridor in Goldsmiths College and pushing an old-fashioned pram. Eventually he took me by my elbow and guided me towards a window. Inside … Continue reading →

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Investing in farmland and NUFC (Rousse)

I spent my fortune on two massive investments. The first was a large tract of coastal farmland of great archaeological significance. The second was a majority shareholding in Newcastle United football club. I couldn’t wait to see my little sister’s … Continue reading →

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Charming Saoirse Ronan chases the wrong train (Rousse)

I knew that I was taking a chance when I boarded an LNER train at Birmingham New Street while holding a CrossCountry ticket. However, since I was Saoirse Ronan, I was pretty certain that I could charm the train manager … Continue reading →

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A bank robber and new riders (Rousse)

JG was living off the latest £30k proceedings of his bank robbing career. Meanwhile my sister-in-law was determined that her sons would enjoy all the privileges of a middle class upbringing. As preparation for the boys’ first riding lesson, she … Continue reading →

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