Doubts over Queen’s health in run-up to royal wedding, while marine mammals rule the waves (Rousse)

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Dreamaticus

It was great to see the two cyclists again when they stepped off the ferry. I recognised the dark-haired girl first (for her beard). They replied sheepishly when I asked if they had enjoyed their time at the guest house. It sounded like it wasn’t quite to their tastes.

The three of us walked along the shore road to the war memorial, hoping to come across TPR on the way. We inspected the monument and discussed the failing health of the Queen (would she last until the next royal wedding?), then turned to look out to sea. A dozen or so whales and dolphin of different varieties sped past. Further out the water was so clear that we could see that the ocean was crammed with marine mammals.

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Jack Charlton shakes off fans in Cardiff (Rousse)

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Dreamaticus

When VE and I heard that Jack Charlton was at the reception in Cardiff we made it our business to track him down.

He said that he remembered meeting her, and her teddy, on the train years earlier, but I didn’t believe him. I also could not be sure that he had any recollection of the American tourists to whom he pointed out Holy Island from the East Coast line.

It soon became obvious that he was agreeing with anything that we suggested as a strategy to shake us off as fast as possible. I could tell that he had no interest in talking to us when he made a beeline for someone else, dumping me with a stranger.

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A Christmas party and a visit to Dream (Rousse)

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Dreamaticus

The cost of signing up for the departmental Christmas party was so great that only twelve people turned up for the celebration. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the company of JB, BD and FR at my table – even though BD made a mistake with the bill, ignoring my earlier estimate of £42 per head.

Afterwards I checked into a hotel in St Andrews on my own. It took me so long to drive home from there the next day in my red Peugeot 205 (as an infrequent and inexperienced driver) that I missed my regular Friday morning meeting with colleagues.

However, I did enjoy a visit to the town of Dream (4 miles from Haddington) to see the amazingly steep road up the hill just off the high street.

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Pink flower shell bracelet gift (Rousse)

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Dreamaticus

At the end of the event SC laid out some jewellery on a small wooden table and asked the delegates to help themselves to any items that took their fancy. I picked up a bracelet of pale pink shell-like flowers.

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Unethical practices of rail companies (Rousse)

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Dreamaticus

The three women in the train carriage were all plain-clothed police officers. I knew this because I had been allocated the role of PhD supervisor for one of them. The woman in question, however, was unaware of this because she had not yet attended a supervision meeting. While the three of them discussed the doctoral study, I hesitated over whether or not to reveal my identity.

Then an announcement made over the train’s public address system welcomed members of the police force on-board. Now that the (supposed) cover of my travelling companions was blown, I felt obliged to reveal myself.

We all swapped business cards and complained about the unethical practices of rail companies.

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Brienne of Tarth’s ginger cat (Belle)

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Dreamaticus

At last we were getting a cat. The dog was beside himself with excitement.  Brienne of Tarth was our new best friend and she needed a happy home for her flat-faced ginger cat (“Ginger”) while she was away fighting.  How proud we were as we paraded Brienne around the tower blocks we called home.

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Learning about Italians in Edinburgh (Rousse)

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I was ashamed that I hadn’t finished reading the book that I had selected for our monthly meeting. However, and to my surprise, EH had not only reached the final page, but also enjoyed the story.

She urged me to continue with Dear Olivia to learn more about the history of Italians in Edinburgh.

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Bicycle thief Mr Almond’s attack (Rousse)

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Dreamaticus

Every time that we returned to our house there was further evidence of attempted break-ins. We knew that it was only a matter of time before we would come home to a crime scene.

The day finally arrived when we found smashed glass on the ground outside our front door. The burglars had climbed up to the roof and broken in through an attic window to steal our bikes (but nothing else – not even a wad of £50 notes).

We assumed that they had left by the time that we returned home, but a fat middle-aged man holding a baby confronted me as I stepped inside. He announced himself as ‘Mr Almond’ and explained that he needed to avenge an insult that I had levelled at him in the 1980s.

I feared for my life as he lunged at me, while his dark-haired accomplice – in the same green spotty dress and black hat that I wore to W and R’s wedding in 1988 – looked on.

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Witty trading app to challenge eBay (Rousse)

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Dreamaticus

SL designed a new online trading app. Like all other similar tools (e.g. eBay), you could use it to buy and sell goods (obviously). Its USP, however, was its extremely witty on-screen instructions.

The first time that I used it I almost choked to death laughing.

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Swimwear and disgraceful tattoos (Rousse)

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Dreamaticus

I chose a new swimming costume. It was navy blue with white side panels, and leg pieces. It would be perfect for British waters, and could easily be worn under a wetsuit.

While I was trying it on for the first time I complained to my youngest sister-in-law about her mother’s tattoos. Even though they were somewhat disguised by her bruised arms, I still considered them a complete disgrace.

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