Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Twenty seven years ago today I became a father for the first time. It was just gone 3 am when my son Jonathon made an appearance at a Bedfordshire hospital. His arrival followed a harrowing seven hours for his mum, and me shouting myself hoarse with regular cries of “Heave!”..... An unhelpful yell that made it appear the delivery room was... Continue Reading →
In what was an early birthday celebration for my daughter Rachel, the family spent a pleasant few hours in Leeds yesterday evening. With thirsts quenched by cocktails and beer in a Greek Street bar, we took an early evening saunter to Stockdales of Yorkshire where we’d booked a table for 7.30 pm. None of us had dined... Continue Reading →
My little girl is 24 years old in a couple of days. I’d say those summers have flown past like migrating chaffinches, however that’s too clichéd and, if truth be told, it hasn’t really. It seems an age since the midwife passed her to me like a scrum half passes a rugby ball, in the... Continue Reading →
My brother Ian was 51 yesterday. He asked me to include this in the event you haven’t sent his card or present yet...... Yes, I mean you in Felling!! The middle of the Strachan children is a good guy with great humanity and an unceasing generosity of spirit, who deserves good things in his life.... Continue Reading →
My preparations for Karen’s up and coming 50th birthday continue at a pace. Due to her illness, she has requested I spend money on different shows, gigs and maybe breaks in 2016 as gifts, as opposed to an expensive keepsake like jewellery or framing the winter gas bill! With this in mind, she has already... Continue Reading →
The dust has now settled over Sunday’s family get together and it’s time to reflect on the success of the meticulous planning by my siblings, wife and I. My sister Helen and Karen planned a rigid itinerary which thankfully went off without a hitch. I still maintain, though, that drawing up a toilet rota in... Continue Reading →
It's not often I wear a suit these days. A two-piece is attire that ordinarily only makes a guest appearance if I spend a day at the races, or if royalty are visiting chez Strachan. As the royalty visit never happens, unless mater and pater calling counts, a twice yearly visit to the Knavesmire racecourse, in York, are the two days annually... Continue Reading →
After yesterday's birthday celebrations, it was back done to earth with a bang this morning with another hospital visit for Karen's monthly treatment. It was good to see my son Jonny yesterday, after he ventured over from York to witness his pater hurtle ever faster into middle age. It's pleasing to see what a fine... Continue Reading →
Fifty three years ago today the late morning Leeds sky was festooned with storm clouds. They had gathered with intent above the aging buildings of the Hyde Terrace maternity hospital. What that intent was no one who was around that day knows, but there was something unnerving in the air. It hung over the city... Continue Reading →