Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
I’ve just returned from the White Rose (WR) Shopping Centre in Leeds. I personally didn’t buy anything and not a great deal happened that I can relay. However, I like a challenge and if all else fails there is always artistic licence to fall back on! We ventured to the out of town shopping centre... Continue Reading →
Remaining sanguine has been a challenge since my wife Karen’s diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in 2010. Where The Rainbow Ends – “I Regret To Tell You…” In the absence of a possible cure, she describes herself as a ticking timebomb. I perhaps wouldn’t utilise that particularly descriptive, however, I suppose it adequately reflects the uncertainty surrounding... Continue Reading →
I’ve just been watching a local news report about Barnsley’s Brian Dawson beating Bradford’s John Walton in the ongoing British Darts Organisations World Championships. Despite being a fan of the sport in my teens and early 20’s, I’ve not watched darts for years. Watching the report, I struck me how the 'go to' liquid refreshment of contemporary chucker's has evolved.... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I was talking to an acquaintance who told me that their new years resolution was to stop smoking. It was a bit of a surprise as I hadn’t realised my 10 year old nephew was a smoker, but credit to the kid for trying to break the habit! That was only a joke by... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I wrote of festivities at Chez Strachan on Christmas Day. I couldn’t share the taste of the turkey dinner or the mince pies via the medium of blogging. However, my narrative of around 800 words will have hopefully given a taste of my family’s experiences on this special day in the calendar. To avoid... Continue Reading →
Well we are into Christmas week. Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost’s nipping at my nose and Yuletide songs are being sung by a choir. Well that’s not strictly true. They weren’t actually chestnuts roasting, it was a different kind of nuts after I stood too close to the open flames. Additionally,... Continue Reading →
I was sad to read that Kellingley Colliery in Yorkshire closes today. As a result, the 18th December 2015 will be known historically as the end of deep coal mining in Britain. My first job as a 16 year old was for the National Coal Board (latterly British Coal) at their North East area head... Continue Reading →
Well it’s 17th December and the festive feel in Chez Strachan is slowly intensifying. How can you not feel festive when you’re greeted with the words ‘Front Bottom’ from behind window 17 on my Tourettes Advent calendar?! To add to the yuletide spirit, the unmistakable smell of spilt wine, satsumas, and the newly printed Christmas... Continue Reading →
Microsoft Windows 1.0 operating system was released on this day 30 years ago. The company’s first graphical operating system was released to mixed reviews. Some people said it was good, some said it was alright, whilst Mrs Trubshaw at number 47 said it was “Like my arse!”……… Which is just about as mixed a reviews... Continue Reading →