Tag Archives: lake

Identification of an eighteenth century island greenhouse (Rousse)

‘It looks eighteenth century to me. Do you know the architect?’ asked the super-snobby woman seated with her grandmother on my mother-in-law’s sofa. Whatever gave her the impression that I would know anything about an ancient greenhouse on an island … Continue reading

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Lakeside office accommodation priorities (Rousse)

We all stood in a neat line on the corridor conveyor belt that carried us through the main building of the new lakeside campus. We were interested to see our new workplace and discover the names of our future office … Continue reading

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Unexpected visitors and missing friends (Rousse)

QL rang me in a panic. ‘Lucy thinks that the reunion is still on. She didn’t receive the lockdown cancellation email. She’ll arrive in Edinburgh tomorrow.’ I ignored the message – indeed forgot about it – until the following afternoon … Continue reading

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Shark danger in Lake Ontario (Rousse)

Within hours of landing in Canada I boarded a yacht at the behest of my cousin NT. Suddenly the wind picked up and threw us from the craft into Lake Ontario. Sharks fins circled. I considered whether I would prefer … Continue reading

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Christmas cake complications (Rousse)

It was meant to be a simple lunch at my parents’ house, but the complications began as soon as I invited the others to the table. First I noticed that my former colleague AT failed to turn up. Then the … Continue reading

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Toothless tigers roam Glasgow park (Rousse)

JM took my car keys and drove us both over to Glasgow. I asked whether he was insured to do this, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to take me to the park. The park was really beautiful. I … Continue reading

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Tracy-Ann Oberman offers too much choice in a sweet shop (Belle)

The counter and the walls displayed every type of sweet and chocolate you could imagine.  I had three £20 notes and I wanted to choose wisely before I went back to the lake.  Licorice?  It looked good but it wasn’t … Continue reading

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The Emperor of China, Tom Forrest, an absent wife, and a widower (Rousse)

Ancient tradition in China required the donning of a long black robe (similar to an academic gown) whenever the emperor visited. Every day during my imprisonment I was on standby for this eventuality. Meanwhile I joined in with the activities … Continue reading

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Rousse’s bog accident

Booking a ski-ing holiday that included studying for a qualification in French turned out not to be the best idea. It was now the end of our week away and I was bound to fail the exam. Instead of going … Continue reading

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Hanky panky in the headmaster’s office (Rousse)

It was my first day back at school and, before lessons even started, I was called into the headmaster’s office for turning up late. I tried to explain that after years of working in academia I was completely unused to … Continue reading

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