Tag Archives: childhood

A flying cat, a red-haired witch, and an all-inclusive school reunion in Stockton-on-Tees (Rousse)

A flying cat screeched as it swooped over us, the tips of its ears glowing fluorescent green in the darkening sky at dusk. It landed high above us in the canopy of the bare winter trees, only just visible as … Continue reading

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An untidy wife and a dirty neighbour (Rousse)

I chased TPR into the spare bedroom to see what he was up to. Why was he wearing the pale grey suit that he bought back in 1983? Whatever was he doing trying to squeeze his big feet into the … Continue reading

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A misremembered Loughborough childhood (Rousse)

BP took to holding staff meetings on Saturday mornings. I was first this week, so I left TPR in bed and wandered off to my appointment, curious to know what was on the agenda. BP and I shared experiences of … Continue reading

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Cycling academics, poor publishing standards, diet Coke rations, a farewell disco, and stiletto heels (Rousse)

I cycled to work to mark the last day of operation of Queen Margaret’s Corstorphine campus. Many other Edinburgh academics did the same, discussing the poor standard of journal submissions as they rode the route. Because it was such a … Continue reading

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Dead grandmother joins Rousse on an uncomfortable trip to Ireland (Rousse)

It was a long journey to Ireland by sea and coach. My poor Granny H, dressed in her usual uniform of camel, smiled the whole way, but in my heart I knew that she was not enjoying herself – especially … Continue reading

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New York dinosaur cargo (Rousse)

The rooms on the second floor of the cliff house were furnished in the same fashion of my childhood home and I was keen to show them to the students. However, the curator would not let us enter. Students were … Continue reading

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Hostage taken at the White House: Rousse to the rescue

I could hear my iPhone ringing out, but where was I, and what time of night was this? I pulled myself up in bed to peer into the dark. I was back at the White House in my childhood bedroom. … Continue reading

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A labrador, a poodle and a Yorkshire terrier (Rousse)

The meeting took place at the dining room table of my grandmother’s house in Corbridge. Given that the location was so special to me, I thought that my colleagues could have been more patient when I interrupted the proceedings with … Continue reading

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