Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Saturday 19th September 1970 probably doesn’t register in the conscious mind of most people as anything special. Potentially, if you are a rock music aficionado, you may know it as the day of the first Glastonbury Festival held at Michael Eavis's farm in Glastonbury. A keen rock fan may also register the date as one... Continue Reading →
The number 400 is not an overly special number for anything in particular. At least not for any one thing that immediately springs to mind. The only thing that immediately jumps out at me, apart from Karen who’d for some reason was hidden in a cupboard, are 400 metres is the distance of the circuit... Continue Reading →
Clad in my Rat Pack wannabee trilby, I'm formulating this narrative sat under a parasol in my back garden. The delightful perspectives created by the surrounding flora and fauna encompass me; bringing an almost dream like inner calm. When I say Rat Pack wannabee I'm referring to a desire to display their cool personas in... Continue Reading →
We had a family discussion this morning which broached upon the subject of the principality of Wales. The living room in Chez Strachan rang out with erudite verbal interactions, predominantly centring around the naming convention utilised by the Welsh back in the day. In particular, we discussed how we felt this nicknaming would manifest itself... Continue Reading →
I’m home alone today as my wife and daughter are in London. They have ventured to where the streets are paved with gold to take in the Saturday matinee of a West End show. The theatre tickets and train fare were a 50th birthday gift to Karen from my daughter Rachel. My missus should think... Continue Reading →
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 →
I travelled back to Blighty yesterday after an enjoyable seven days on the Balearic Island of Menorca. It was an unremarkable journey home, which started with an hours bus transfer from our hotel to Mahon airport. As with all airport transfers it was elongated by picking up fellow homeward bound holidaymakers from hostalries in our... Continue Reading →
I've just had cause to rebuke myself whilst laid around our hotel swimming pool. The self scolding became necessary after a random thought on seeing a topless women walk past my lounger. As someone firmly entrenched in middle age, when the women in question walked past my immediate thought was that she had majestic breasts.... Continue Reading →
Last year on a break in Lanzarote I purchased a wristwatch that became affectionately known as my holiday watch. I know that affection and watches aren't normally bed fellows, but any port in a storm and all that........ No, I haven't got a clue what that means either! It's not a particularly flashy watch. It... Continue Reading →