Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
7am this morning, my beagle Bella and me exited the metallic gate of our home, embarking on a short ten minute stroll to the local park. A sojourn which takes us past around ten residences before turning right onto a 200 metre dirt track road and across the main road adjacent to the treelined parkland.... Continue Reading →
Scene - The morning of 25th December 2025. In the living room of a terraced mid-20th century built home, on the sofa/chaise, a middle-aged couple prepare to exchange yuletide gifts. Beneath the high ceiling typically witnessed in residences of this era, the male of the duo (Gary) catches sight of a huge wrapped present bearing... Continue Reading →
It is two months since the summer solstice and the UK is hurtling towards autumn like a thoroughbred horse released from race stalls. The midday sun gets ever lower, solar rays are markedly cooler and I’ve started frantically searching my house for my portable central heating thermostat. The control box not required just yet, but... Continue Reading →
Last week we in the UK, along with several northern hemisphere countries, were ‘lucky’ enough to witness a partial solar eclipse. Northern Spain, Northern Russia, Greenland and Iceland even ‘luckier’ when becoming party to a full sun blockage. Bereft of special filtered sunglasses, making it safe to look directly at this infrequent astronomical event, I... Continue Reading →
It could have been a scene played out on the Serengeti plains. A predator stealthily utilising its ecosystem’s arid grasses and flora to mask their slow and steady approach toward unsuspecting prey. Becoming aware of its quarry around 20 metres away, the predator swiftly determining a strategy of attack. There was no swiftness in the... Continue Reading →
“Don't leave me this way. I can’t survive, can’t stay alive, without your love. Don’t leave me this way.” Those sentiments from an opening chorus of a Communards refrain are often communicated by my beagle Bella’s sad sideways glances when about to be left home alone. Yours truly's parting assurances of “I’ll not be long!”... Continue Reading →
Scene - At the park’s periphery, a middle-aged man and his dog engage on a frenetic walk. The pair circumnavigate tree trunks with the nimbleness of a Lionel Messi dribble, a waltzing skillset of Anton du Beke, along with the collision avoidance wherewithal of fighter pilot Brad Bootavich. Cause of this improvised dance routine was... Continue Reading →
It was an early dog walk this morning. My needy beagle/alarm clock Bella deciding a 6.40am stroll would be a splendid way to celebrate the dawning of 7th August 2026. This previous start not so much a case of the early bird catching the worm, more the early dog walker gets to pick up poop... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I wrote the first of what I plan to make a series of imaginary verbal jousts as I walk my beagle Bella during a 5-10 min stroll to the park, as part of her daily morning walk. These mostly absurd notions manifesting in my mind as I wander the street, a dirt track road,... Continue Reading →