Category Archives: Uncategorized

Stockton-on-Tees local knows nothing about trains (Rousse)

Posted on May 21, 2017 by Dreamaticus

KA and I shared delivery of the lecture. Somehow I ended up with the ‘hard’ bit: explaining the difference between linear and complex computer programming. My instructions said to use railway tracks as an analogy, and make reference to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tsunami hits Manchester (Rousse)

Posted on May 21, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I hurried JA out of our shared bed in the big terraced house in Manchester. ‘Quick!’ I cried, ‘The water has reached the third floor. We need to get dressed and climb into the attic with everyone else, or risk … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nicola Sturgeon to introduce friend tax (Rousse)

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Dreamaticus

4a Audrey Terrace, Edinburgh was a West End palace – and ours, all ours. We bought it for the ballroom and the prospect of the fabulous parties that we would host there. The immense front porch had plenty of space … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A purple lacy fluffy cardigan (Rousse)

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Dreamaticus

EM was struggling to finish knitting a purple fluffy cardigan. She was concerned that she was dropping stitches all over the place. ‘Don’t worry’, I said, with hope in my voice. ‘Nobody will notice. You’ve just created an original lacy … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Belle the drag queen

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I was the first UK contestant on Ru Paul’s Drag Race – and the first woman.  My character – Bobby Saint-George – was going to bring a slice of Carry-On style saucy humour to proceedings.  I was being coached by … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A good deed turned bad (Rousse)

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I stepped out of my seat to help the old lady left standing in the middle of the bus. My intention was to prop her up. Instead I accidentally pushed her over. All the contents of her shopping trolley went … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends amongst French antiques (Rousse)

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Dreamaticus

My school friend KC and her husband D excitedly showed us a brochure for a French antique shop. Amongst the photographs of ancient furniture I spotted the proprietors P and SG. KC couldn’t believe the coincidence. I admitted that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A 1980s GTi love match (Rousse)

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Dreamaticus

AH confessed that he almost proposed to me in the late 1980s. This was with the encouragement of my mother, keen to recruit him as a son-in-law. This was nothing to do with love for me. Rather, AH and my … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hello to Jason Isaacs- twice (Belle)

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Dreamaticus

While scrambling across the Victorian rooftops alongside the train line into London Bridge, Jason Isaacs and I began to exchange witticisms in a very strong Birmingham accent.  Strangely we both found the experience romantic – and erotic. Days later, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An ‘executive home’ in Birmingham (Rousse)

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Dreamaticus

On a complete whim we bought a modern ‘executive home’ on a main road in a northern suburb of Birmingham. Since we couldn’t afford to run two houses in two different countries, we cut our ties with the beautiful city … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment