Category Archives: Uncategorized

Redneck American tourists impressed by British physique (Rousse)

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Dreamaticus

My mother-in-law’s step-parents – elderly, redneck Americans – and their extended families blew all their savings on a trip to visit their relations in the UK. We organised a boat trip for their entertainment. The women instantly fell in love … Continue reading →

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Fear of forgetting social engagements (Rousse)

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Dreamaticus

MH organised two leaving events to mark her departure. The first was a party in her flat on Saturday night. For the second we were invited to join the audience of her latest show. Since both invitations were verbal and … Continue reading →

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In a stone maze with Griff Rhys Jones (Rousse)

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Dreamaticus

I was stuck in a three-dimensional stone maze, unable to navigate a route upwards and out. Ahead of me, Griff Rhys Jones was doing rather better than I was. The big surprise, however, was my agile octogenarian mother, dancing over … Continue reading →

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Mystery P grid (Rousse)

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Dreamaticus

I nodded sagely when IH told us that we needed to use the p-something or other grid in the (now late) report of our study. In reality, I had no idea what she meant at all.

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Motorist caught driving backwards through Edinburgh city centre (Rousse)

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Dreamaticus

TPR interpreted the ban on cars on Edinburgh’s Princes Street as applicable only to vehicles that travelled forwards. This gave him a clear conscience to put his black BMW into reverse and head west along Princes Street with his eyes … Continue reading →

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Green checked shirts and Bible study (Rousse)

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Dreamaticus

EH and I set up camp in a comfortable three-seater with another colleague for our all-School work trip to the US. Occasionally our male colleagues – each dressed in a different take on the green checked shirt – would call … Continue reading →

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Cotton wool for a flautist (Rousse)

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Dreamaticus

I had never seen a dining table so beautifully laid out. Two tables had been brought together in a T shape to accommodate about fifteen people in the oak panelled dining room. The table cloth was starched brilliant white to … Continue reading →

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No toilet Tokyo (Rousse)

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Dreamaticus

I knew that space was at a premium in Tokyo, but I had no idea of the impact of this on the population’s everyday habits until I visited the city myself. My host family of three was very welcoming. On … Continue reading →

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Show-off shopping (Rousse)

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Dreamaticus

My new companion was a bit of a show-off. A little older than me, this slightly overweight man was keen to present himself as a wealthy individual with ready cash to spend. To demonstrate this, he identified a shop that … Continue reading →

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Mistaken scholarly schadenfreude (Rousse)

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Dreamaticus

‘I’m surprised that you would even wish to mention the REF given that your results were so poor’ said SY, with a hint of schadenfreude in her tone of voice. This was a rather strange comment in the light of … Continue reading →

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