Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
This morning, Facebook memories felt moved to remind me three years ago today I printed off 360+ pages of A4 paper containing a tome I penned in spring 2010. Not the most ecologically friendly of undertakings on my part, however, at that time hubris fed a need to possess paper copies of yours truly's art.... Continue Reading →
I'd a rare break from writing yesterday. Leaving casa Strachan at 7.30am and not getting home until 11.00pm rendering opportunities of putting pen to paper nigh on impossible. My destination the city of Nottingham - Robin Hood's manor, domain made famous by Brian Clough, home of Boots the Chemist and place my late dad served... Continue Reading →
There was a boy A very strange enchanted boy They say he wandered very far Very far Over land and sea A little shy And sad of eye But very wise Very wise was he Then one day A magic day he passed my way And while he spoke of many things Fools and kings... Continue Reading →
In the early 1990's, I became an avid listener of an early evening Saturday radio show conceived by BBC Radio Five (later Five Live), which was fronted by a chirpy, motormouth Londoner named Danny Baker. An audio nugget I stumbled across by accident. This a consequence of leaving the radio broadcasting when Sports Report's concluded... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, the grounds of Belvoir Castle proved to be convivial venue hosts for Mrs S and my evening entertainment. No relation to the late Record Breakers TV presenter Roy Castle, the Leicestershire fortification provided an imposing backdrop for buoyant open air concert goers. These revellers partying to disco tunes of yore, performed by wandering balladeer... Continue Reading →
In his 1965 refrain Summer Wind, Frank Sinatra sang of a seemingly season long breeze which blew in from the sea - Presumably, the Pacific Ocean on the US's west coast. These gentle gusts a welcome cooling accompaniment to beach walks with his sweetheart. As you'd expect from Francis Albert, it's a lament delivered with... Continue Reading →
Nations who've achieved final success in the FIFA World Cup traditionally adorn a gold star above their shirt crest, advertising to all and sundry the number of occasions they've been football world champions. For instance, England have won the world cup once meaning their badge adorns one star; whereas four-times winners Italy's shirt emblem dons... Continue Reading →
Blenheim Palace - Winston Churchill's birthplace and for centuries the residence of the Dukes of Marlborough. Not to mention the only British palace whose moniker nearly rhymes with the name of TV chef Ken Hom. Built in the early 18th century (that's the Oxfordshire Palace not Ken Hom), I was in situ of this imposing... Continue Reading →
As I commence this offering, I'm sitting in what's classed as the Popular Enclosure at Emerald Headingley cricket stadium. In the absence of my laptop, I'm typing this narrative on my mobile phone - An onerous task but not as difficult as, say, writing this with a leadless pencil, or Cheesestrings***. *** - Other processed cheese... Continue Reading →