Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fun in first class with Clubs and Kit Kats (Rousse)

I was very lucky to be travelling first class by train. I kept orange juice and pains au chocolat in my pockets, and showed off my biscuit collection to my brother-in-law R. I now had every variety of Club and … Continue reading

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Martin Clunes brings traffic to a halt (Rousse)

Martin Clunes was in town, and the cause of all the traffic disruption. The streets were crowded with hoards of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their hero. I must admit that I was surprised at the level of … Continue reading

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Dreadful words from a strange child (Belle)

As I walked through the garden I noticed a mother and two children had set up camp there.  While the mother hung her laundry – on my washing line – the small boy grabbed both of my wrists and we … Continue reading

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Bedroom furniture body bonus (Rousse)

Pablo the handyman was working hard on the alterations to our bedroom. By the time he finished, I would have the most spectacular set of cupboards, and plenty of space to keep all my clothes together in the same room. … Continue reading

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Graduation traditions in Edinburgh declared OTT (Rousse)

We’d forgotten how much hassle it was to go out at this time of year. Any pub with the vaguest association with the University of Edinburgh implemented its “ancient” traditions in graduation week. To gain entrance to this particular bar … Continue reading

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Harry the photographer prince (Rousse)

What a coincidence to spot Prince Harry twice in the same day! First of all I ended up just a couple of rows away from him in the stand at the Olympics reprise show. Here television footage from London 2012 … Continue reading

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Rousse’s new job

I’d never before applied for an academic job where all short-listed candidates were interviewed together. The panel comprised two well-respected academics: the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of an English university, who – quite out of character – had turned bad cop for the … Continue reading

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Saucy seaside postcards come to life in Whitley Bay (Rousse)

Our journey south was delayed somewhat in Jedburgh due to the density of the Jedforest. For a 100 metre stretch you had to bend double to get through the trees. We didn’t stay long at our final destination. There was … Continue reading

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What to feed babies (Rousse)

I herded my class of blue-uniformed 15 year-olds into a queue outside the remote former school house. The retired head mistress emerged to invite them in, and they settled into their places for an authentic school dinner of past times. … Continue reading

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Resurrectionists active in the north east (Rousse)

TPR had developed a process to bring the dead back to life. So now I found myself in a bar in Hexham chatting to both my grandmothers and my great-great auntie S, plus other assorted relations (officially still alive). Unfortunately … Continue reading

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