Tag Archives: lecture

Big changes at the University of Birmingham (Rousse)

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Dreamaticus

Childhood friends SB and KH met me in Birmingham to scope out venues for next year’s university reunion. We were in for a shock when we reached the University of Birmingham campus. The French department was completely unrecognisable. The corridors … Continue reading →

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The fate of Hostage John (Rousse)

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Dreamaticus

JG and I relived our student days of 1982 with a trip from Paris to the Middle East. TPR joined us to help find the old lecture theatre that used to double up as a party venue. It seemed to … Continue reading →

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In defence of the ‘Nonsense Norwegian’ (Rousse)

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Dreamaticus

The residential staff retreat was a dreary affair. As I stood in a queue waiting for my turn to take part in the next ‘exciting’ activity – charity shop shopping – my mother-in-law lifted my woollen jumper to check that … Continue reading →

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Riding a water envelope is more fun than house clearing and lecturing (Rousse)

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Dreamaticus

When we were recalled to my parents’ house to finish the clearing job, we admired the garden in the beautiful spring sunshine. Our progress was slow, especially because all the utilities had been disconnected. Even the simplest of tasks, such … Continue reading →

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Boris Johnson hosts house party with the PM in the Canadian Rockies (Rousse)

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Dreamaticus

Before Belle and I set off on our Canadian Rockies adventure, we first had to pick the dog up from the vet. Black was a tiny sweet Affenpincher and very excited to be reunited with us after his (expensive) operation. … Continue reading →

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A lecture, a disco, and a swim (Rousse)

Posted on July 12, 2024 by Dreamaticus

I lost my place in my notes, then found it again but couldn’t make sense of them. Added to my woes, the few students who had bothered to turn up to my last ever lecture clearly did not appreciate my … Continue reading →

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Andy Warhol and a life-changing packet of crisps (Belle)

Posted on September 12, 2023 by Dreamaticus

I had won a place at a prestigious university in New York alongside Andy Warhol and Gary Numan. I had failed to prepare for my first day and got hopelessly lost on an antiquated subway system, arriving late for my … Continue reading →

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Misplaced Midlands towns (Rousse)

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Dreamaticus

After delivering my lecture on the management of book groups, I met my old school mates for another of our ad hoc reunions. The location of the venue was meant to be a surprise. When I opened my eyes I … Continue reading →

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Angry driving and hypnotism (Rousse)

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Dreamaticus

TPR was in a filthy mood. He expressed his anger by driving the tiny car at top speeds through highland villages, egging on the motorists that were approaching from the opposite direction to race him through roadworks. He eventually dumped … Continue reading →

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A return to University after lockdown (Rousse)

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Dreamaticus

I was so excited to be returning to university after the pandemic lockdown, and very much looking forward to seeing my 4th year friends. Of course, we all ‘saw’ GK on a regular basis now that he was famous. Usually … Continue reading →

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