Tag Archives: friend

Dinner, Duns, and editing dissertations (Rousse)

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Dreamaticus

Four years later than anticipated, finally I was the guest of honour at a dinner to mark my retirement. Former colleagues and long-term friends joined the celebrations. The locals included MS and IH from work. From further afield came university … Continue reading →

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A thousand pound chicken mole dish (Rousse)

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Dreamaticus

It was highly embarrassing that we had accepted two invitations to dinner, both on the night that I was meant to be at my book group meeting in Glasgow. The first was from my childhood friend ECM, and the second … Continue reading →

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Castle walls, cake, and equestrians (Rousse)

Posted on June 22, 2026 by Dreamaticus

I was learning how to climb the castle ramparts wearing a pilfered riding hat for protection when a bunch of equestrians came looking for their kit. My teacher – a rough lad mounted on a white stallion that could scale … Continue reading →

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Corpse ‘reborn’ at circuits class (Rousse)

Posted on June 22, 2026 by Dreamaticus

My long-dead friend BT turned up to my Wednesday circuits class. I wondered how he would cope with the intensity of the exercises having been buried underground for over 25 years.

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American chain hotel escape room code-cracking (Rousse)

Posted on June 4, 2026 by Dreamaticus

Admittedly wandering in and out of the bedrooms of other guests in the massive American hotel was not normal behaviour, especially when dressed in your pyjamas. However, I believed that I had special privileges. I was, after all, a long-term … Continue reading →

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Three in a bed shocker (Rousse)

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Dreamaticus

Although DM had a great reputation for hospitality, and the accommodation that she presented to me was exactly as described, I was shocked when I realised that DM expected me to sleep three in a bed with my university friends … Continue reading →

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Investing in farmland and NUFC (Rousse)

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Dreamaticus

I spent my fortune on two massive investments. The first was a large tract of coastal farmland of great archaeological significance. The second was a majority shareholding in Newcastle United football club. I couldn’t wait to see my little sister’s … Continue reading →

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Julia Roberts’ best friend (Rousse)

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Dreamaticus

My planned move to the US would be an adventure, although not without regret. I knew, for example, that I would miss the pals that I left behind in the UK. ‘Please don’t worry about us’, actress Julia Roberts assured … Continue reading →

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Topless dining (Rousse)

Posted on August 3, 2025 by Dreamaticus

My online friend K invited me out for a meal with her husband A. I wouldn’t have accepted had I known that she would sit at the table topless, and expected me to ‘dress’ the same.

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Fated never to play Catan (Rousse)

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Dreamaticus

For months I had been trying to find an opportunity to teach the board game Catan to my neighbour KB and online friend KJD. Now, at last, they were both at my flat and eager to learn. Even my sister … Continue reading →

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