Category Archives: Uncategorized

A temporary loss of digits and dancing to the Wombles (Rousse)

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Dreamaticus

One of us was required to chop off all digits on the hands. TPR bravely volunteered. Then he headed off to Reading to meet MP before the big party. They spent the morning engaged in geeky conversation and activities. I … Continue reading →

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

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

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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

A party castle and six in a bed (Rousse)

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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

An audience with James Herriot (Rousse)

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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

Library and information science at Birmingham Polytechnic (Rousse)

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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

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

Posted on September 27, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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

Sleeping with Claire Skinner (Rousse)

Posted on September 27, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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

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

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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

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

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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

When home improvements go wrong (Rousse)

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Dreamaticus

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 →

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