Category Archives: Uncategorized

News of a Chelsea pensioner (Rousse)

A scruffy man in a ragged soldier’s uniform turned up at our door. At first I thought that he was wearing a Salvation Army outfit. Then I recognised the insignia of the Chelsea pensioners on his shoulder. He was dressed … Continue reading

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House clearance woes (Rousse)

We truly believed that our days of house clearance were over. So we were all shocked when my brother-in-law and I unearthed yet more (mainly) junk hidden in an alcove of my childhood home. My brother-in-law took a fancy to … Continue reading

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A non-drinking beer magnate (Rousse)

Everyone was squeezed into a massive circular arena. Some were on theatre seats; a few sat in open-top cars. The announcer thanked PMF’s beer company for sponsoring the whole event, pointing out that it was curious that PMF was not … Continue reading

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Pilates pain (Rousse)

I walked into the pilates class to find my nemesis sitting on the floor at the back of the room, planning her next move. She called me out on two counts: for being late (I was not), and my ‘enormous … Continue reading

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Graham Robinson identified (Rousse)

A rather handsome man with dark red hair, and smudges of black eyeliner around his eyes, took his place at the end of the table. ‘Well hello there Rousse!’ he smiled with a great degree of familiarity. ‘Here we go … Continue reading

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A pet lamb, a Schnauzer, and a monkey (Rousse)

TPR conceded that since our elderly long-term lodger kept us at home much of the year, we could add to our menagerie of creatures. I ordered online a white pet lamb, an overweight Schnauzer dog, and a little monkey. They … Continue reading

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An extra-marital affair and golf (Rousse)

I confronted TPR in the family bathroom, unaware that TEF was climbing out of the bath. ‘I know that you are having an affair with DTJ!” I screeched. How could he be so disloyal? And what was she doing cosying … Continue reading

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(More) conference confusion (Rousse)

My sister S drove the rickety old grey Land Rover. Her passengers were my other sister, her husband, their daughter, and their daughter’s partner. They carried hardly any luggage having ‘gone minimal’ after their recent house clearance experiences. This meant … Continue reading

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A burglar’s furniture fetish (Rousse)

Every time that I walked into the sitting room, the two sofas were arranged in a different way from before: both pushed against the window; one upside down, one upright; one next to the radiator the right way up, the … Continue reading

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Northumbrian holiday secrets of ABBA (Rousse)

Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson bounded down the narrow staircase. Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad followed more quietly behind them. Nobody had ever spotted the four members of ABBA on their regular visits to Northumberland. It was our family secret … Continue reading

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