Author Archives: Dreamaticus

A tryst with a Turk in Toronto (Rousse)

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Dreamaticus

I’d grown very fond of my tiny Turkish room-mate over the course of the conference in Toronto – so much so that I was in the habit of bending down to kiss the top of his head whenever I passed … Continue reading →

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Orange shopping with Jason Isaacs (Belle)

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Dreamaticus

The move to Spain had been disappointing so far. I hadn’t expected the fruit market to resemble the Bromley Glades shopping centre this much. Jason, however, seemed to love it, joking around with the stall holders and juggling oranges into … Continue reading →

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Trapped on a non-stop train to Heidelberg (Rousse)

Posted on May 8, 2022 by Dreamaticus

I jumped on the train to accompany MM – for just a short while – on her long journey east across Europe. The plan was for me to accompany her as far the next stop, leave the carriage, cross platforms, … Continue reading →

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New Apple iPhone 13 in Sunshine yellow (Rousse)

Posted on May 7, 2022 by Dreamaticus

Hot on the heels of ‘Alpine green’, Apple launched the ‘Sunshine yellow’ iPhone 13 mini. My sister was one of the first proud owners of this beautiful new device.

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Gym sex pest (Rousse)

Posted on May 7, 2022 by Dreamaticus

My father-in-law’s much younger brother Richard invited me to the back of the house to show off his ‘gym’. The old panelled bar – handmade by my father-in-law in the 1970s – still stood, and old water colours of sailing … Continue reading →

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Le Creuset mini-pan measuring spoon set (Rousse)

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Dreamaticus

I was relieved to learn that the messy holiday cottage in Lanarkshire was not, in fact, ours. My parents had bought it with my middle sister and her husband – and then filled it to the brim with junk. I … Continue reading →

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Sleeping in the office (Rousse)

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Dreamaticus

I was reasonably comfortable cocooned in my high-tog duvet in the photocopying room. Sleeping in the office was not such a hardship, and it did make my working life a lot more efficient. Provided that I could keep my sleeping … Continue reading →

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Eyebrow disappearance (Rousse)

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Dreamaticus

My over-enthusiasm with the tweezers meant that my right eyebrow had all but disappeared.

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When Barbara Castle came for tea (Rousse)

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Dreamaticus

Centenarian Barbara Castle was discharged from hospital into our company. I was slow to offer her a cup of tea, but Mrs Castle didn’t seem to mind: she explained that her hospital ward had been awash with hot drinks. My … Continue reading →

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Degree show treasure trove (Rousse)

Posted on April 30, 2022 by Dreamaticus

ECM placed a small grey suede pouch in my hand. I pulled open the drawstring and found inside beautiful carved bone petals and punched snowflakes, and dozens of items of jewellery crafted in silver, including rings, ear-rings, necklaces, brooches and … Continue reading →

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