Tag Archives: Manor House

Accommodation for a single husband, cycling safety and wedding dresses (Rousse)

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Dreamaticus

I was running late for my meeting, but the issue of TPR’s accommodation was a higher priority. Thank goodness he had dismissed the suggestion of moving back to the Manor House at the University of Birmingham. However, he still seemed … Continue reading →

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Birmingham University confessions, a career with moleskin trousers, and underwater cycle kayaking (Rousse)

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Dreamaticus

SB kicked off the Birmingham University French department reunion by suggesting that we read the “confessions” from last time. She actually meant the comments on the 2006 evaluation sheets, which she passed around the table. Personally I would have preferred … Continue reading →

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Hall of residence handicrafts at the University of Birmingham (Rousse)

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Dreamaticus

Nobody needed any persuasion to take to the floor at the Manor House reunion disco. With the first beat of the first record it was filled with enthusiastic dancers. I mentioned to TPR that we should list all these popular … Continue reading →

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Bad behaviour and an F1 fireball kill conversation (Rousse)

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Dreamaticus

The conference launch event was a Victorian-Edwardian music hall concert in the style of BBC’s Good old days show. I thought this a bit OTT for a librarians’ conference, but this was the US, and it did make a change … Continue reading →

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Kevin McCloud advises Rousse on housing law

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Dreamaticus

Kevin McCloud wandered into my Edinburgh flat just at the right moment. His knowledge of housing law would deal with the squatting Spaniards. I had never heard of this strange ancient tradition that, they claimed, gave them the right to … Continue reading →

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Dissertation deadline dilly dally (Rousse)

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Dreamaticus

Romana left my office carrying three enormous sheets of flipchart paper covered in red writing. My message “Your dissertation won’t write itself” buzzed through her brain. Earlier in the day she had arrived with a stack of empirical data, an … Continue reading →

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Life as an abandoned wife (Rousse)

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Dreamaticus

I made an uncomfortable 47 year-old undergraduate banished to the University of Birmingham to finish my degree, and to do so properly this time around. The youngsters resident at the Manor House gradually became used to my presence, and gladly … Continue reading →

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Rousse’s reunion

Posted on November 13, 2010 by Dreamaticus

It was July 2011. As was the case on the days of our 10th and 20th anniversary parties, the 1986 French graduates from the University of Birmingham were enjoying a reunion lunch in the blazing Brummie sunshine. This time we … Continue reading →

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