Tag Archives: mother-in-law

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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A trinkets ban and a secret smoker (Rousse)

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Dreamaticus

Before I saw the table setting, I had already decided the colours of my mother-in-law’s bouquet: pale greens and yellows, with a splash of white. What a coincidence that SLHG had laid out green grapes on pale green Lalique glass … Continue reading →

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Identification of an eighteenth century island greenhouse (Rousse)

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Dreamaticus

‘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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Outdoors investment advice (Rousse)

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Dreamaticus

My mother-in-law stood at the top of the grassy slope, dishing out investment advice in a very loud voice. Meanwhile, in the distance, I could see my former colleagues holding their Wednesday afternoon research meeting. At the conclusion of the … Continue reading →

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A flat in Cardiff (Rousse)

Posted on January 15, 2022 by Dreamaticus

TPR found our new flat in Cardiff through the personal ads in a local paper. If I were still a student in the 1980s, I would have been terribly impressed with all the space, but the swirly patterned carpets and … Continue reading →

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Woodcut Dobble and washing up (Rousse)

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Dreamaticus

I was holding my own in a difficult game of Woodcut Dobble against DT-J, so I was sorry when she suddenly announced that the game was over. DT-J was reacting to the dirty looks that her mother-in-law had cast in … Continue reading →

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Home decor beach style makeover ideas (Rousse)

Posted on September 1, 2018 by Dreamaticus

The latest in bedroom flooring was beach pebbles – or so believed my mother-in-law. ‘This is going to be rather uncomfortable underfoot’ I remarked as I gingerly made my way over to the single bed in the spare room. The … Continue reading →

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A case of mistaken identity and the National Trust (Rousse)

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Dreamaticus

My mother-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and one of my sisters met me and TPR in the grounds of a National Trust property for a picnic. TPR thought that he spotted SC in the queue for the house. He called her name, … Continue reading →

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Cilla Black death faux pas (Rousse)

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Dreamaticus

One of my former students had a famous mother-in-law: the singer and entertainer Cilla Black. When I called round to see him and his father-in-law I asked after Cilla. ‘What kind of question is that?!’ said the father-in-law. I had … Continue reading →

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Sea races and a student on a swing (Rousse)

Posted on November 12, 2016 by Dreamaticus

I walked all the way up the hill to the new building of the highest point of campus, then made my way up to the top floor. From there I took position at the window with everyone else to watch … Continue reading →

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