Category Archives: Uncategorized

A dead grandmother, a muscular tramp, and a lost wallet (Rousse)

I spent the night before the dinner at my Granny T’s house. She was looking remarkably well – and indeed fashionable – for someone who had been dead for twenty years. On the evening of the big event itself I … Continue reading

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A party castle and six in a bed (Rousse)

We’d been sharing our big double bed with four PhD students for some time when one day I found a gift bag on my pillow. Inside there was a bottle of wine and a card. The present was from F’s … Continue reading

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An audience with James Herriot (Rousse)

When I heard the exciting news that the guest speaker was James Herriot (or, more precisely, James Alfred Wight) I altered my plans so that I could stay a bit longer at Sighthill and meet the famous veterinary surgeon turned … Continue reading

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Library and information science at Birmingham Polytechnic (Rousse)

I met HW and her daughter I (who now also wished to be known as H) at a swimming pool public library. There we had a long conversation about Birmingham Polytechnic, my former colleagues, and the benefit of part-time undergraduate … Continue reading

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A sister’s fame in the Anglican community (Rousse)

I always thought that I was well networked, but now I wondered whether it was just a common family trait. All the new people that I met in London instantly recognised me as “the sister of J”. Most astonishing of … Continue reading

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Sleeping with Claire Skinner (Rousse)

Claire Skinner was fast becoming my best friend. Throughout the whole time I spent with her she behaved as if we had known one another for years. We lay side by side in a big double bed at night, chatting … Continue reading

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Hugh Jackman hosts 2020 tech movers and shakers event (Rousse)

TPR and I pulled off the highway and took the first exit into what looked like a garden centre. It turned out to be a massive restaurant for geeks – six years in the future. By 2020 Hugh Jackman was … Continue reading

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Puppy punished for tormenting baby panda, weasel, and badger (Rousse)

When BP took over one of my roles at work I did not expect him to undertake duties at my house as well. He set to work raking up the leaves from the back lawn. Then he looked after the … Continue reading

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When home improvements go wrong (Rousse)

When I walked into the kitchen I noticed that TPR had moved some of the appliances. A huge white freezer stood in the hob’s usual spot, and next to it was the tumble dryer. I also spotted that the sink … Continue reading

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A pirate themed wedding (Rousse)

The pirate themed wedding was a great success, although the groom confessed to me in private that he regretted missing the opportunity to show off his magic tricks. My parents enjoyed themselves immensely – even my poor father who was … Continue reading

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