Tag Archives: birthday

The drunkard at the swimming pool (Rousse)

I was now so friendly with the lifeguards at the gym that I would often pop in and out of their staff room for a chat. One day when I left the staff room to return to the swimming pool, … Continue reading

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Boris Johnson, Nelson Mandela, a party, and horse riding (Rousse)

Boris Johnson and I joined forces to organise Nelson Mandela’s birthday party. As we prepared the celebration, I learnt that Mr Johnson had never ridden a horse.

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David Jason – arms dealer (Rousse)

David Jason handed me a replica hand gun to ‘use as required’. He then disappeared down the street, and I awaited my fate. This was supposedly a game, but it all felt very real. Organised by SPL on the Isle … Continue reading

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Lurid art birthday gift (Rousse)

My colleague FC led me to a basement. Here she had assembled an art exhibition with all pieces displayed for sale. I selected a lurid night time scene in dark oils from the freezer and took it home as a … Continue reading

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A hundred in Haltwhistle (Rousse)

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

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Ramsey MacMahon and a whale (Rousse)

Before we headed to the ferry terminal, LM and I checked the birthday cards in the stranger’s flat. They were all for someone called Ramsey – most likely the BBC Alba presenter Ramsey MacMahon, who I had just seen in … Continue reading

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Expensive Scottish border sandwiches, sandals, and snow (Rousse)

As we crossed the border at Carter Bar, I calculated that we would reach my mother’s house around 4pm. By this time my passengers would be rather hungry. I would not take any chances on the stock of my mother’s … Continue reading

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New boys in town (Rousse)

The first duty of CM’s three boys when they moved up to Edinburgh from Leeds was to surprise me at 6:00am on my birthday. The little one was most enthusiastic, especially when I said that I would play board games … Continue reading

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Barry Cryer’s autograph (Rousse)

I overheard Barry Cryer’s minder announce to the theatre staff that his boss was waiting in the car outside. I followed him back out to the street, then asked him if he might be able to ask Cryer to sign … Continue reading

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Gout-afflicted friend kills coronavirus fun in the Yorkshire Dales (Rousse)

It was an easy drive in two cars to the Yorkshire Dales for a weekend away to celebrate my birthday. It was only when we reached our destination that we understood why the roads and villages were deserted: coronavirus pandemic … Continue reading

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