It’s been a fruitful two days dans le jardin de la maison Strachan. Not only have I mowed both lawns, undertaken border work, along with jet blasting a patio, I’ve also learned the French translation of ‘in the garden at the Strachan home’. Each task was undertaken with Verve and Gusto. Well, apart from learning the smidgen of French, which I did after Verve and Gusto had gone home. I find […]
This morning, while making a short drive across town, yours truly experienced a minor yet irksome incident. To clarify, this wasn’t a vehicle collision, moreover what I’d suggest are a set of circumstances uncommon to my fellow UK drivers. Wanting to play an audiobook, but being unable to locate it safely while manoeuvring in relatively busy south Leeds traffic, I harboured hopes my thus far stoppage-free voyage would be momentarily […]
I have it on good authority that the 2nd February was Groundhog Day. An occasion citizen’s of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, observe the behaviour of local groundhogs as they emerge from their burrows. In particular their reactions to that day’s meteorological conditions. Folklore decreeing:- If it’s cloudy on first leaving their burrows spring will arrive before the vernal equinox. If it’s sunny then the groundhog will retreat into the burrow after seeing […]
This morning yours truly woke to the sound of clanking ladders emanating from the bottom of our cul-de-sac. Not being inquisitive enough to poke my head through my bedroom curtains and look, I’ve no idea which company the perpetrators of the racket represented, or indeed what task they were undertaking. Hearing two male voices, though, it appear the noise was a joint effort. Unless, of course, it was one man […]
In the company of a pal of mine, yesterday evening I went to see a gig at the Brudenell club, Leeds. This an odyssey to see a band called The Quireboys – A synergy of musicians with roots in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Scotland and a Llandudno B&B (allegedly). I’ll be honest and admit it’s a band I’m not overly familiar with, or at least wasn’t until witnessing yesterday’s stage show. My mate […]
It takes guts to reprise a role on stage performed with such distinction in the original movie it secured the portraying actor (Dustin Hoffman) an Oscar – An accomplishment he achieved in the 61st Academy Award ceremony (1989). A lead actor performance that possibly usurps those of the other 89 winners of the accolade, prior to and since. Yesterday evening I witnessed Mathew Horne (Gavin from TV comedy Gavin & […]
Over the weekend, I was sad to read of the passing of Chas & Dave pianist Chas Hodges. Hodges, one half of the London pair who in the 1980’s taught us when it comes to a vacation, “You can keep the Costa Brava, I tell you mate I’d rava have a day darn Margate wiv all me family.” Not forgetting also educating their discerning listeners that when diminutive Tottenham Hotspurs […]
