Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Last weekend saw my inaugural visit to a music festival. It has only took six decades but the wait was well worth it, even the ninety minutes it took to get from the venue entrance to my camper van pitch. If there is a sun god, he also had tickets to the musical clambake. His... Continue Reading →
On this day in mid-1960's my younger brother Ian made his inaugural appearance into the world. Born at our Leeds home, our kid arrived shortly after, in their second World Heavyweight Championship fight Cassius Clay had knocked out Sonny Liston. With Clay (latterly Muhammed Ali) winning by first round KO, Ian didn't arrive in time to... Continue Reading →
This weeks topic prompt for a writing group I attend on a bi-weekly basis was 'ceremony'. A suggestion leading me to write/read out the following tongue-in-cheek narrative:- Ceremony – by Gary Strachan Today, with our thoughts on ceremonies, I’ve decided to revisit the day 35 years ago when I walked down the aisle of a County... Continue Reading →
In a move to improve my exercise regime, which brings with it many benefits, GJ Strachan is contemplating purchasing a heavy duty punchbag. Preferably one around six foot in height with ground-based footings and of robust constitution. Blimey, while articulating the previous sentence, it felt like yours truly was penning a half-assed lonely-hearts ad..... That being... Continue Reading →
You can say what you want about us Brits, but no one can take away our ingrained capacity to nail pomp, circumstance and royal celebration. A point gloriously highlighted over a weekend witnessing two days of festivities to mark King Charles III's coronation. As expected the ceremony which saw our new monarch crowned was undertaken... Continue Reading →
Last weekend I spent two nights at a campervan festival on the English/Welsh border. The almost constant sunshine, an enchanting Chester landscape and good company contributed to existing in forty eight hours of outdoor ambrosia. Re-reading the above paragraph, it has struck me that I'd no need to prefix Welsh with the word English. After... Continue Reading →
A couple of evenings ago I listened to an acoustic version of the 1970 Crosby, Stills & Nash classic hit song 'Our House' While this easy listening audioscape playing out I browsed to the left of my laptop screen, my gaze drawn to a beautiful picture of my mum and dad. A print made almost... Continue Reading →
I'm penning this prose from within the hallowed walls of my partner Sarah's living room. A bright and airy room which she has decorated in the minimalist style she so says she prefers. I reckon if truth be told, though, the chamber is only minimalist because she's not yet worked out how to shop-lift a... Continue Reading →
My spirits lifted with the entrance barrier. Coming up a rare few days when I'd be in the company of my adult children (Jonathon & Rachel), their affable partners (Jenny & Brian), my partner (Sarah) and, dare I say it, most importantly my beautiful three-month old granddaughter Rosie Dot. The raised entrance barrier affording Sarah... Continue Reading →