Tag Archives: canal

Black and ginger seals frolic in the Union Canal (Rousse)

I flopped into the water from the side of the canal, my enormous belly hitting the surface with a huge splash. TPR followed me, his sleek black form more elegant than mine. I arched my body to give enough momentum … Continue reading

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

An undesirable neighbour (Rousse)

We moved back to Birmingham into a large Victorian house on a busy road. Our new next door neighbour wore a long dark beard and kept his hair tied up in a black turban. He told us that he was … Continue reading

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

From Manchester to the Caribbean – and back again (Rousse)

P and Q lay back in their red and white striped deck chairs and soaked up the Caribbean sun. We commented on how wonderful it was for the four of us to find ourselves in the warmth once again. Q … Continue reading

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

Birmingham University confessions, a career with moleskin trousers, and underwater cycle kayaking (Rousse)

SB kicked off the Birmingham University French department reunion by suggesting that we read the “confessions” from last time. She actually meant the comments on the 2006 evaluation sheets, which she passed around the table. Personally I would have preferred … Continue reading

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

Cambridge conference saves Rousse from North Sea diving job

Although I agreed with the guest house landlady that her daughter looked a fright, I kept my views to myself. The poor girl obviously considered herself a beauty, yet to most she simply looked fake with her long blonde hair … Continue reading

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

Belle the gangsters’ moll

It was the 1920s and I had infiltrated a notorious gang operating from barges on the canals of south east London. They had early mobile technology, years ahead of its time, which involved carrying around television monitors. By the end … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Obamas admire Belle’s dog

It was a long, long walk down a canopied pathway to get to the event dinner in the giant marquee. I was glad that I could follow the crowds or I would have lost my way. As I arrived to … Continue reading

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