Category Archives: Uncategorized

Award talk with Sir Mark Walport (Rousse)

Posted on September 7, 2021 by Dreamaticus

ASDA had deserted the deep-sea themed shopping centre on the outskirts of town, as had the giant aquarium retailer. The enormous concrete sculptures of marine creatures now looked rather forlorn in the neglected flower beds. Sainsbury’s moved to the site … Continue reading →

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

How not to change a nappy (Rousse)

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Dreamaticus

My status in the household was rather ambiguous as the former au pair girl. Should I really be left in charge of the children three decades later? That question was answered when I attempted to change the sodden nappy on … Continue reading →

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

Salt mine offers ‘magic’ treatment for eczema (Rousse)

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Dreamaticus

It took a long time to cycle the single tracks roads across the wilderness to the immense quarry, but it was worth the effort. The excavation was enormous. I couldn’t wait to see it close up. We dropped our bikes … Continue reading →

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

Belle does NOT like U2

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Dreamaticus

With traffic at a standstill across all six lanes of the motorway, people had stepped out of their vehicles and an informal festival had started. However, I desperately needed to make it to the airport and set off jogging around … Continue reading →

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

A hundred in Haltwhistle (Rousse)

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Dreamaticus

RB planned to celebrate her 100th birthday with a pool party in Haltwhistle, the UK’s outdoor swimming capital. Everyone would be there, including EA from Hexham, and DE of Rhyl. On the day, I arrived wearing a long silky dress … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Duchess of Cambridge travels incognito by public transport to Norwich (Rousse)

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Dreamaticus

My new best friend the Duchess of Cambridge and I travelled by bus and train to Norwich. My companion blended in well: none of the other passengers spotted royalty in their midst. When we diverted via Bristol, I offered to … Continue reading →

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

Chil replacement band member (Rousse)

Posted on August 21, 2021 by Dreamaticus

About to play their first gig after the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, Edinburgh covers band Chil had a complete sell-out on their hands. Hundreds queued to be let into the open air venue in the Edinburgh New Town. Many were much … Continue reading →

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

Parrot breeding David Tennant (Rousse)

Posted on August 21, 2021 by Dreamaticus

David Tennant bred and sold parrots as a sideline to acting. I knew this because I was his secret mistress.

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

Safe tattoo to hold a lover (Rousse)

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Dreamaticus

The tattoo inked into his right arm read ‘SAFE’. ‘What a lovely idea’, I thought. I learnt later that this arm had been labelled for his lover, and not his wife (me).

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

Lakeside office accommodation priorities (Rousse)

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Dreamaticus

We all stood in a neat line on the corridor conveyor belt that carried us through the main building of the new lakeside campus. We were interested to see our new workplace and discover the names of our future office … Continue reading →

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