Tag Archives: gift

Gifts and guests shattered in Sunderland (Rousse)

M and AP hosted their joint 60th birthday and ruby wedding anniversary party in Sunderland – a place with which they had no connection whatsoever. I travelled most of the way there by car up the A1, finishing the journey … Continue reading

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Donald Trump will run for President: exclusive interview from David Elstein’s offices (Rousse)

Donald Trump’s fall from power was so great that he now worked in advertising sales for David Elstein’s media empire. My good friend JM also worked for Elstein, so gave me access to the once ‘great’ man. One day I … Continue reading

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Highland spirit triplets, hopeless handmade goods, an over-priced exhibition, and very public toilets (Rousse)

A set of Highland triplet spirits danced across the heather as they sought to reunite me with my mother and sister S after I came off the narrow single track road in our hire car. As soon as we found … Continue reading

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Lurid art birthday gift (Rousse)

My colleague FC led me to a basement. Here she had assembled an art exhibition with all pieces displayed for sale. I selected a lurid night time scene in dark oils from the freezer and took it home as a … Continue reading

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An icy dip on Christmas Day (Rousse)

So delighted was TPR to be with his entire family again, on arrival at his mother’s house for Christmas he disappeared straightaway into the large cinema room with his sisters. That left me with his step-father to set the table … Continue reading

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Roller-skate spectacle for new shop-keepers (Rousse)

As we took our seats in the shabby auditorium, I struggled to remember why we had bought tickets to this show. Perhaps we’d been unsuccessful in seeing the act during the Edinburgh Fringe last year, but instead managed to catch … Continue reading

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Dangers of regifting unwanted presents (Rousse)

I was on stage facing a line of dignitaries, including Donald Leach and former Moderator of the Church of Scotland Alison Elliot, to be awarded my latest undergraduate degree (classification 2:2). I took great care when asked to sign for … Continue reading

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Edinburgh showroom and shootings (Rousse)

MSB welcomed her friends into her plush new showroom on the corner of Edinburgh’s Broughton and Barony Streets. Through the floor to ceiling windows, from outside you could see the visitors gathering beside her, hanging onto her every word. When … Continue reading

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Shopping disturbances (Rousse)

VAE and CM telephoned me from a ‘country fare’ style gift shop. VAE leant against a display of pink stilettos as she was speaking to me. She shouted in alarm when the first one on the shelf toppled over and … Continue reading

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Lettuce, a lorry, and Looney Tunes (Rousse)

Belle was in town (hurrah!) but she was leaving on the next train (boo!) When she confessed to me that she had arrived two days ago to stay in her Edinburgh New Town pied à terre I did my best … Continue reading

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