Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
I commence this essay sitting in the Costa coffee shop within the Next building at The Springs Retail Park, Leeds; a recently built construction which also incorporates a Gino D'Acampo*** restaurant. **** - Or Gino D'Campingstove as my spouse, with her quirky tic of mispronouncing celebrity surnames, incorrectly calls him..... Gino D'Acampo not to be... Continue Reading →
I'm lounging unceremoniously on an arm chair in my mother's dining room as I pen this prose. Outside's solar rays producing a Super Trouper like beam, highlighting the recently unkempt lawn and borders which for weather or health reasons I've neglected for the last two weeks. I've one eye on a corner of the room... Continue Reading →
This time tomorrow I'll be Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) in situ undergoing an exploratory angiogram procedure. A followup op to an investigative treadmill stress test I underwent a couple of months ago. That being said, I'm not overly daunted that in twenty four hours time my radial artery will be punctured to allow a camera... Continue Reading →
"I'm glad you found it...... It's awful when you can't find a book!" A well-meaning, yet idiosyncratic comment relayed last week by Mrs Strachan senior on hearing I'd managed to acquire a thus far elusive copy of the book 'celebrating' TV magazine show Sunday Brunch. The above tome standing at number three on my son... Continue Reading →
It was the Eurovision Song Contest last Saturday evening. A smorgasbord of sing-song which in recent decades has allowed European nations (and recently our Australian cousins) their annual opportunity to humiliate the less creative end of the UK's song writing industry. I'd like to think our continental cousin's motives are deeply ingrained envy, born from... Continue Reading →
As I write I'm sitting in the entrance waiting room of Leeds General Infirmary's (LGI) Jubilee Wing. Accompanied by my wife Karen, yours truly indulges in the addictive pastime of people watching. The 'entertainment' provided by scores of individuals oblivious to my surreptitious surveillance techniques - Some plying their trade within the chambers of this... Continue Reading →
Alec Thompson's banty eggs were frequent visitors to the 1970s/80's Strachan kitchen table in Dorchester Gardens, Low Fell. Not just physically, in the shape of an omelette or cake ingredient, but also as a catalyst to meal time banter surrounding the culinary splendour of truly fresh produce. I didn't know Gateshead man Alec personally but... Continue Reading →
Post-heart attack I've unsurprisingly striven to avoid situations that'll raise my blood pressure. Consequently, I'm currently staying clear of listening to/watching Leeds United games, listening to/watching Leeds Rhino rugby league matches, exposure to England Test crickets encounters and (apart from writing) numerous other avenues of pleasure. I'm also attempting to stay clear of my wife... Continue Reading →
The 2nd February is 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... Continue Reading →