Category Archives: Uncategorized

The work of Val McDermid: where to start (Rousse)

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Dreamaticus

Val McDermid and I chatted on the top deck of the bus. ‘I am embarrassed to admit that I have never read any of your books’, I confessed. ‘It’s just that everyone says that they are so gory and that … Continue reading →

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Miniature schnauzer makes a hopeless guard dog (Rousse)

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Dreamaticus

The burglar worked his way around our room helping himself to bits and pieces from the dressing table and cupboards. Meanwhile our miniature schnauzer lay happily on our bed with his legs in the air, willing us to tickle him. … Continue reading →

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Late for a placement visit in Kilkenny (Rousse)

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Dreamaticus

My first placement visit in the Republic of Ireland was in Kilkenny so I took the opportunity to call in on the G family in Thomastown. There I found BG mid-morning sitting in bed in a pink nylon nightie reading … Continue reading →

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Wooing by old rowing boat (Rousse)

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I remembered IK best from hogmanay parties in the late 1980s. It came as something of a surprise when he popped up in my life again, super-keen to win me over as his next romantic conquest by showing off his … Continue reading →

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Louis Theroux in love (Rousse)

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I hoped to slip out of the conference hall unnoticed when I heard JK mention my name. I had no option but to return to the round table and discover what she was saying about me. ‘I was just talking … Continue reading →

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Contempt for media mogul Rupert Murdoch (Rousse)

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Dreamaticus

When Rupert Murdoch was announced as the keynote speaker only three of the newly-appointed staff stayed in the room. The rest marched out in protest, displaying their utter contempt for the media mogul.

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Flying on Air Force One – but not sleeping with the president (Rousse)

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I flew the international skies on Air Force One as a member of the US president’s core team. Unlike LM, however, I was not also sleeping with the leader of the free world.

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Vertical paragliding (Rousse)

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Dreamaticus

My neighbour’s AS’s hobby was vertical paragliding. He’d come back from work, attach his rainbow silks, and shoot into the sky above our building.

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Early for the bus (Rousse)

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I put on my long black cashmere coat, hoisted my rucksack over my shoulders, and headed out of the door to the bus stop. I could see a number 11 coming down the hill, but didn’t manage to reach it … Continue reading →

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Balderdash, chocolate buttons and Amelia Earhart (Rousse)

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I had to interrupt this ridiculous game of Balderdash. Why did anyone ever get the impression that it was a straight general knowledge quiz? So what if Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic? More … Continue reading →

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