Tag Archives: school

Anti-French feeling and fossilised fruit (Rousse)

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Dreamaticus

We even surprised ourselves when we signed up for the mediterranean cruise. However, this was a cruise with a difference. The small wooden boat was so packed that we fought for sleeping space at night, and most of the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged apples, bananas, boat, cruise, fossils, France, French, holiday, islands, mediterranean, passengers, pears, plums, queues, queuing, refugees, school, teaching | Leave a comment

A difficult climb half dressed (Belle)

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Dreamaticus

I was at the forefront of a new fashion trend. Crisp white shirts and a peaked cap with no trousers, a la President Wensley Dale from Rastamouse. As I was attempting to climb up the grassy slope at school, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged cap, climb, Hitchcok, Rastamouse, school, shirt | Leave a comment

Performance anxieties (Rousse)

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Dreamaticus

Over three decades had elapsed since my last encounter with this group of girls from my first secondary school, and I was curious to know what had become of them. In the course of conversation arch-bully CMcG confirmed that she … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bar, bully, cinema, death, dreams, drinks, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Fringe, film, forces, Fringe, geeks, Imperial College, police, school, seat, theatre, widow | Leave a comment

Belle at boarding school

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Dreamaticus

I was a pupil at a mixed boarding school where a cruel practical joker was causing chaos and upset. Pupils were waking up on sofas with moustaches drawn on their faces and underwear was being pilfered and mocked. I sat … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged coach, head boy, practical jokes, school, sleep, underwear | Leave a comment

Gordon Brown’s sexuality questioned by single straight man (Rousse)

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Dreamaticus

News of AR’s impending visit spread fast. Those who came to see him included friends from Birmingham University SC (now SL), CP (now CA) and HJ (now HJ). AR’s fame even reached school friends keen to meet this eligible bachelor … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bottom, computing, denim, diplomat, driving licence, essay, Gordon Brown, hair extensions, Hartburn, invitation, nutrition, pepper, scandal, school, Scotland, sexuality, sister-in-law, Stockton-on-Tees, tabloid, TPR, University of Birmingham, wallet, Yellowcraigs | 1 Comment

Archbishop of Canterbury reigns over Wembley and David Cameron settles into Edinburgh pied-à-terre (Rousse)

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Dreamaticus

I was summoned to 10 Downing Street, but I didn’t know why. The house was as packed as a pub on a Friday night and I had to force myself through a throng of MPs, including George Osbourne, to reach … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 10 Downing Street, Archbishop of Canterbury, award, bagpipes, bumpf, card, carrier bags, Christmas, Christmas tree, conference, David Cameron, door, Edinburgh, flat, George Osbourne, government, grass, honour, jacket, Kendal, letter, London, magic, medieval, minstrels, MP, PhD, pied-à-terre, prime minister, robe, satin, school, secret service, shirt, stadium, Tesco, University of Birmingham, wall, Wembley | Leave a comment

Poetry, romance and messy bathrooms (Belle)

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Dreamaticus

I helped the local school to relocate by carrying a cardboard box of books to a house around the corner. This formed the next stage in the ‘human chain’ that was being used to save removal costs. I was helped … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bathroom, Davina McCall, plane, poem, reality TV, school | Leave a comment

It’s school cocktail hour (Belle)

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Dreamaticus

My friend B was a teaching assistant, wearing a red pinafore/overall. She was making a small group of eight-year olds read from a flipchart: “A Martini a day helps you work, rest and play”.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged flipchart, Martini, school, school children | Leave a comment

The Extended Shakespeare Company (Belle)

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Dreamaticus

It was the last day of term at my boarding school. The school’s Shakespeare production was stonkingly slow and the class nerd was the most unlikely Romeo. Not only did the play drag on for days, but some liberties had … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Romeo and Juliet, school, Shakespeare, tyres | Leave a comment

Student fees prospects worry even the poorest pupils (Rousse)

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Dreamaticus

Some blue-uniformed stragglers slipped into my sister J’s class. While she continued to teach from the front of the classroom a couple of pupils started asking me questions about university entrance qualifications and fees. As I told them of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged coffee, Edinburgh, homework, John Lewis, pupils, school, sister, Starbucks, students | Leave a comment