Tag Archives: Edinburgh

Secrets of an Edinburgh book group (Rousse)

TTX was asking me all sorts of questions about book groups as we crossed over London Road between Meadowbank Stadium and Jock’s Lodge. I couldn’t tell whether she was sneering at the concept, or hinting that she would like to … Continue reading

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Cupid strikes in Canterbury (Rousse)

I was reminded of the love-infused speed of ST when I watched a clean-shaven CSX race up the road to greet me and TPR. As soon as he reached us, CSX burst into tears. This was embarrassing. I shooed TPR … Continue reading

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Monkeys and kangaroos stalk the glens (Rousse)

The monkeys and kangaroos that recently escaped from Edinburgh Zoo have colonised vast swathes of the Scottish Highlands.

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Distracted by next season’s fashion must-haves and Harry Potter in French (Rousse)

At the height of summer I was living in North Berwick and working in Edinburgh, desperate to finish the data analysis and write-up of my second PhD. On the days that I couldn’t cadge a lift along the by-pass with … Continue reading

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Contini kidnap (Rousse)

We were all (including toddler JJ) squeezed around a big square table in Contini George Street, Edinburgh when a huge red-headed man in a kilt marched into the restaurant. He looked like an extra from Outlander. Most of us supposed … Continue reading

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A white Christmas in Edinburgh (Rousse)

We spent the afternoon watching old films on television in the sitting room. Fortunately nobody sat on the green-threaded needles that KT found at my end of the sofa. Then, when we saw that snow had fallen late in the … Continue reading

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Learning about Italians in Edinburgh (Rousse)

I was ashamed that I hadn’t finished reading the book that I had selected for our monthly meeting. However, and to my surprise, EH had not only reached the final page, but also enjoyed the story. She urged me to … Continue reading

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Mistaken for a Harvard academic (Rousse)

I trundled across the playing field of the University of Edinburgh by shopping trolley and suitcase on wheels. It was difficult to balance myself when lying prone on my two vehicles, but manageable so long as there was a slope. … Continue reading

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A dump in Luton (Rousse)

Our new house was not ready when we first moved to Luton so we wild-camped by the river for a couple of nights, with only a sleeping bag and dirty white sheet for cover. We were perfectly safe there, but … Continue reading

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A secret agent and a sacred text (Rousse)

My duties as a secret agent charged with recovering a sacred text were part-familiar and part-terrifying. As I stood on the pavement on Edinburgh’s George Street, I knew that the passing motorcyclist would slap me when he drove past. Then … Continue reading

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