Tag Archives: children

Rob Brydon’s second mother (Rousse)

When Rob Brydon’s name cropped up in the conversation yet again HJ commented that it sometimes felt like he was just another of her own children.

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Dreadful words from a strange child (Belle)

As I walked through the garden I noticed a mother and two children had set up camp there.  While the mother hung her laundry – on my washing line – the small boy grabbed both of my wrists and we … Continue reading →

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What to feed babies (Rousse)

I herded my class of blue-uniformed 15 year-olds into a queue outside the remote former school house. The retired head mistress emerged to invite them in, and they settled into their places for an authentic school dinner of past times. … Continue reading →

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Basking sharks and dolphins “spotted” in the Tyne (Rousse)

Were those basking shark fins cutting through the water? How marvellous that a shoal had made it all the way up-river to Hexham! I’d never seen basking sharks in fresh water before, and what a thrill to find them in … Continue reading →

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Is librarianship a profession? Rousse joins the debate

A beautiful couple entered the children’s reading room. She was a tall, elegant African woman in a blue and white midi dress. He was also tall, handsome and clearly devoted to his companion. If not lovers, they might have been … Continue reading →

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Highland tattoo confession (Rousse)

I woke up cold on the floor of our tatty bed and breakfast room, with TPR five feet away tucked up cosy in bed. At least this proved that I’d slept. It was the last day of our holiday and … Continue reading →

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Perfecting the poached egg – in a tin bath (Rousse)

While my family was sunbathing on the beach, I decided to cook a stack of poached eggs. I cracked the eggs into a tin bath of boiling water following a technique learnt from my Canadian friend WR. The cooking, however, … Continue reading →

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Single bed shocker (Rousse)

We visited ECM on the last day of our three week holiday. ECM’s children were nowhere to be seen, and KJ had replaced PW as her husband. The set-up of their flat was also rather surprising. On the upper level … Continue reading →

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How to stop your kids fighting at mealtimes (Rousse)

I found it a lonely experience eating my dinner in my parents’ vast dining room at a table all to myself. I also observed that the servants had to cover so much extra ground when forced to serve the same … Continue reading →

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Green greatcoat is Paris fashion hit (Rousse)

I was finding it hard to cope on my own in the Paris hostel in the run-up to my wedding. Three feral children, who couldn’t even tell me how old they were, drove everyone mad running amok everywhere. They stole … Continue reading →

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