Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Recently, I was saddened to hear an old friend of mine had been diagnosed with a serious illness. I’ve known Alan (the friend in question) since 1983 when, as a wet behind the ears kid, he showed me the ropes in my new role at British Coal in Gateshead. He was supposed to teach me... Continue Reading →
Taking a trip down memory lane, embarking on a journey of nostalgia or venturing on an excursion of sentiment. I don’t know what you call times of fond reminiscence (oh you call it times of fond reminiscence), but my wife Karen and I embarked on one yesterday evening. The journey followed my impulse buy at... Continue Reading →
Football...... bloody football! Since 1970, the game I used to love has brought me many lows, much heartache and an unnatural interest in liniment!......... I really need to not take it so personally when I'm struggling to complete the set of the Euro 2016 Panini football stickers! Seriously though, as a Leeds United and England... Continue Reading →
“Ok then sir, what’s it to be? A beard trim or a full cutthroat shave?” I was asked by the guy with the ruddy complexion in sinister gravelled tones. There was something deeply unsettling about the way he spoke, not to mention the haphazard manner I’d seen him wielded the razor sharp tools of his... Continue Reading →
In the 1970’s BBC sitcom The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin, his workplace quack Doc Morrissey would frequently confess to his patients he hadn’t a clue what was wrong with them, before prescribing aspirin and an assurance of its curing qualities. It seems to me this incompetent general practitioner’s quackery has a far more... Continue Reading →
My little girl Rachel is 23 today. As the song goes:- “23 today, 23 today. She’s got the key to the door, Never been 23 before” I know the song is written about the milestone of reaching the 21 and not 23, but we didn’t trust Rach with the front door key at 21! …….... Continue Reading →
This morning I was sad to read of the death of the Ray Tomlinson, the man credited with inventing email, at the age of 74. It isn’t known if the New York engineer left an ‘out of office’ message, but it is thought he will be cremated in a deleted mail bin at a quiet... Continue Reading →
I don't recollect much of biblical studies in Religious Education lessons from my schooldays. That being said, I can vaguely recall the part of the Gospel of Matthew in which he describes Jesus fasting in the desert. During Christ's abstinence from food, Matthew conveys the devil endeavoured to tempt him to turn stone into bread... Continue Reading →
Karen has endured another week of hospital visits. She had her consultation with her oncologist on Monday, undertakes her four weekly treatment today and undergoes a physio session tomorrow. Sat in the waiting room, my fatigue levels are heightened following another inadequate nights sleep. I'd woken early from a dream and couldn't get back to... Continue Reading →