Tag Archives: Scotland

Scottish midges damage Inverness housing market prospects (Rousse)

We were looking around a new housing development in Inverness. Amongst the large modern yellow sandstone “executive homes” were grey monochrome Scooby Doo mansions, covered in creeper with their windows boarded up. “Let’s buy one of the wrecks and renovate … Continue reading

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US air show “disaster” miracle (Rousse)

I wondered whether a holiday in Scotland was sufficient entertainment for my two girlfriends. However, all my doubts evaporated on our last day when the skies cleared, the sun came out, and we stumbled upon a spectacular air display. We … Continue reading

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Harry Potter tattoos: the only clue to “Pedro’s” past (Rousse)

I lost TPR during the final stage of the long journey to the US aboard an ocean liner. Occasionally I would spot him in the distance across deck, usually driving one of the small open cars used for deliveries by … Continue reading

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British Airways terminal 5 offers new passenger services (Rousse)

British Airways’ new welcome service for first class passengers coming into Heathrow Terminal 5 was second to none. A smart uniformed man met you off the plane and guided you through the terminal, ensuring that you by-passed all the queues. … Continue reading

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Talking seals take to the Scottish streets (Rousse)

The village was packed with seals. They emerged in small packs from the bay, crossed over the single-track road, then wandered around the village, chatting. I noticed that the black furry ones were the most talkative.

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Referendum aggression on the Edinburgh tram, and a dead grandmother (Rousse)

I laughed out loud when the idiot behind me boasted “I work for the Sun and I could sell Scotland for $2 billion!”. He clearly believed that this kind of statement would convince everyone of both his nationalist credentials, and … Continue reading

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Rousse goes roller blading in the snow

I was delighted to be appointed to the job in Amsterdam, and soon fell in love with my new colleagues – especially the small man. However, before anything else I had to decide which desk to take. I chose the … Continue reading

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New CalMac service covers land and sea (Rousse)

We caught the new CalMac service that travelled to the Outer Hebrides via Hexham. It was a very special boat that could cover both land and sea. I very much enjoyed riding along beside the dolphins, even though trying to … Continue reading

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Ski-ing and smoking (Rousse)

The hotel brochure displayed page after page of glossy photographs of bright young things enjoying Alpine conditions on the nearby Scottish ski slopes. This gave the impression of glamour, when in reality the hotel itself was little more than a … Continue reading

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David Mitchell’s photography one-upmanship lands university professor in trouble (Rousse)

David Mitchell showed me his DSLR camera and its a full range of lenses. It was then – two days into our two week holiday touring the Scottish highlands – that I realised that I only had the telephoto lens … Continue reading

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