Tag Archives: family

Ian Rankin environmentalist (Rousse)

Posted on May 20, 2020 by

Ian Rankin (30) nodded with approval when I told him that nobody in our family of five owned a car. He also shared his excitement at developing a friendship with someone as old as me, and confirmed that he too … Continue reading →

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Medieval knight hands over family heirloom (Rousse)

Posted on April 21, 2020 by

I hadn’t seen TS in years, yet he treated me like a long-lost sister. His generosity knew no bounds when he presented me with a family heirloom to take home: an antique Christmas-decorated serving dish. When he wandered off through … Continue reading →

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A family drive along the south coast (Rousse)

Posted on March 9, 2020 by

With my mother at the wheel, and all three sisters on the back seat with Baby Ted and my panda, we drove along the south coast of England. ‘Is that the Isle of Wight?’ I asked, pointing to a beautiful, … Continue reading →

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The world’s most versatile dog-themed kitchen gadget (Rousse)

Posted on June 9, 2019 by

The dog sculpture in jade looked good in MB’s new kitchen and I now regretted that the family had given it to her as a present. The ornament was also much more versatile than we had first believed. The head … Continue reading →

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Stolen secret family treasure (Rousse)

Posted on May 26, 2019 by

I reached up for the book on the top shelf in my long-dead paternal grandmother’s kitchen. ‘I’m taking Granny’s diary for safe-keeping’, I told my mother. We both knew that I would hide it from my sisters and cousins, and … Continue reading →

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Super-friendly furry animals, early blooms, and stolen chocolates (Rousse)

Posted on March 19, 2019 by

Four grey squirrels, each accompanied by a tiny rust-coloured baby kit, leapt from the treetops into my coat as I passed through the market. I managed to shake the squirming animals out of my clothing by the time I reached … Continue reading →

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Alternative wedding activities (Rousse)

Posted on February 21, 2019 by

As the guests arrived for my sister J’s wedding, I chatted to my young cousins in the kitchen. This was more interesting than making small talk with middle-aged men in dark suits. I also wanted to avoid getting into arguments … Continue reading →

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Dogs days with Sir Sean Connery (Rousse)

Posted on February 10, 2019 by

Mine was one of the first families drafted to perform anti-terrorist service. We lined up inside a long plastic tent at the junction of Queen Street and North St David Street in Edinburgh, following the instructions of the police to … Continue reading →

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From turtles to a wish to weigh under ten stone (Rousse)

Posted on January 6, 2019 by

I left my school friend KC in charge of the mixed selection of beautiful green-striped turtles that were climbing up our side of the bath. This allowed me to drive south to collect my mother from my cousins’ house in … Continue reading →

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Sunny South Shields shelters skiers (Rousse)

Posted on January 2, 2019 by

We were travelling to our Alpine ski holiday on an early morning flight from Newcastle airport – as, it would appear, was half the population of the north east of England. All the airport hotels were fully booked, so we … Continue reading →

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