Tag Archives: dinner

A creepy Cotswolds hotel and a fight for fish fingers (Rousse)

The reviews for the Cotwolds hotel were amazing, but the longer that JC and I stayed there, the less inclined we were to recommend it ourselves. The two owners were rather creepy, following us around everywhere. When they complained about … Continue reading

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An under-resourced conference (Rousse)

Even though I had passed the duties on to another colleague months ago, I was getting the blame for the failure of the conference. I couldn’t help it if I spent the afternoon cosying up to P and playing with … Continue reading

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A dead grandmother, a muscular tramp, and a lost wallet (Rousse)

I spent the night before the dinner at my Granny T’s house. She was looking remarkably well – and indeed fashionable – for someone who had been dead for twenty years. On the evening of the big event itself I … Continue reading

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Flirting with your friend’s ex (Rousse)

I lost my friend as soon as we came out of the cinema. I concluded that she probably wanted to avoid an awkward conversation about her recent relationship break-up. However, that was not the last I saw of her that … Continue reading

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Unwelcome guest on Scottish island is served yellow slime for supper (Rousse)

On Thursday afternoon I observed CEO AM in her London headquarters deep in discussion with a very bright 16 year old girl, apparently the daughter of JMcL (who, as far as I knew, didn’t have any children). On Friday night … Continue reading

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Country kitchen chicken liver pâté: serving suggestion (Rousse)

I caught (supposed) vegetarian KT serving portions of home-made chicken liver pâté onto dinner plates in her huge country kitchen. The quantities were enormous. Here guests would never eat portions that big. My lecture on food waste was not welcomed.

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Happy times at the Manor House (Rousse)

TPR and I lived in two modest suites at the University’s of Birmingham’s Manor House. In the summer months we had the run of the building, but when term started in September we were more restricted. For example, it was … Continue reading

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Husband is master of disguise (Rousse)

I was finding it hard work entertaining our dinner guests when TPR kept disappearing from the table for long periods of time. He would have enjoyed the company of my school friend MG, if only they had been there simultaneously. … Continue reading

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How to avoid predatory women (Rousse)

The holiday was full of surprises: A walk along the cliffs above the beautiful beaches of the Isle of Lewis A huge dinner at the guest house with DE A dash through a deserted Waverley Station with JM A tea … Continue reading

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A research council prawn and shrimp feast in Hawaii (Rousse)

Were the UK research councils awash with money? All the evidence pointed to this: how else could they afford to host a conference in Hawaii? I just wished that there was more time between sessions to change into my gown … Continue reading

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