Category Archives: Uncategorized

England v Sweden: where to watch the match (Rousse)

Belle and I debated where we should spend our evening together. The final choice depended on who won the football. We really wanted to be with the fans of the victors, whether or not England beat Sweden.

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Birmingham graduate destinations: deep sea diving, death, and a hot rod librarian (Rousse)

We were all travelling on the Birmingham University French 1986 graduates’ bus. DM passed along the aisle offering cups of tea. I told her that TPR and I had made a brief visit to Rhyl and she said that we … Continue reading

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The secret night visitor (Rousse)

The H family bought a white 1970s house in a small close not far from our bedsit. I preferred their place over ours: there was so much more space. So I would regularly sneak into their sitting room late at … Continue reading

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A cold shoulder for book group defectors (Rousse)

When EH and I climbed into the car for our lift to work we could not understand why JS was so cold towards us. She soon provided an explanation. She’d cooked up a feast the night before for our book … Continue reading

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How to keep warm when sleeping in a pond (Rousse)

TPR and I slept outdoors, afloat in a pond. The trick to keeping warm was to move the mattress into the sunlight whenever possible.

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Academic exclusion (Rousse)

My boss chastised me for not meeting my targets. As punishment I was to spend two days in solitary confinement. On reflection I realised that this was completely unfair. I had actually exceeded all my targets. I complained and the … Continue reading

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Change your hair, change your life (Rousse)

Following years of misery XY finally cheered up. She chopped her long lanky hair into a punky Siouxsie Sioux style, dyed it jet black, and started to smile. When she returned to her student haunts everyone was amazed at what … Continue reading

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The sad fate of a cute snow-white baby bear cub (Rousse)

I chased TPR over the moorland and past the skiers who were racing down to the loch along a single strip of snow. When TPR threw his sticks in the air and dropped over a steep cliff I thought that … Continue reading

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A ladybird problem and an excess of dry goods at Bridge Farm, Ambridge (Rousse)

While a guest of Pat and Tony Archer at Bridge Farm I supervised some final year undergraduates as they completed a maths and genetics project. The assessment task involved the breeding of super-strength ladybirds and storing them in jars. In … Continue reading

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Goth drag queens and yellow pigeons (Rousse)

TPR held my hand tightly as we walked along the dark street. Although the many passers-by frightened me due to their appearance, I was fascinated by the beautiful Goth drag queens. When we emerged into the sunny square at the … Continue reading

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