Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
At the beginning of each show, late entertainer Bruce Forsyth greeted his audience with a catchphrase "Nice to see you. To see you......" which his viewers would dutifully respond to with a raucous cry of "Nice!" Well after yesterday's torrid time at the hands (if indeed gales possess hands) of Storm Eunice, it's fair to... Continue Reading →
This morning, there's a spherical amber vision just about identifiable through West Yorkshire's hazy cloud cover. This sight, scarcely witnessed of late courtesy of the seemingly endless attendance of foreboding nimbus aerosols, a token Zeusian gesture to remind UK citizens we're not hallucinating. It is indeed summertime! The god of the skies, perhaps sending us... Continue Reading →
This morning I'm looking out from my recuperative pit at cloud formations in the east Leeds sky. Groupings of altostratus forms, each uniquely shaping, some of which to my mind's eye bear a remarkable resemblance to people and/or objects. For instance, currently through the middle part of the bedroom window there's a cloud shaping of... 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 →
Tuesday 17th April - Yesterdays rocketing temperatures in West Yorkshire meant I was able to fulfil my much awaited re-entry into the world of horticultural maintenance. Solar rays bequeathing us warmth hitherto unexperienced in 2018. Heat of such ferocity if you sat close enough to a fire pit it was just about bearable enough to... Continue Reading →
Uninvited, unexpected, unwelcome and under our skin, heavy snow is once again 'gracing' the populace of West Yorkshire. Woken by my spouse Karen's singing as she ironed, this morning I jumped out of bed to be greeted yet again by a carpet of snowflakes...... It's no good, I'm going to have to get that flaming... Continue Reading →
Sitting here surveying my garden through an icicle framed bay window, the scene of snowflakes laying gently on a chaste white lawn plays out in front of me. Exuding a serenity akin to witnessing the aftermath of a vigorously shaken snow globe, this sight bestows cathartic qualities of calm and silence. An inner tranquillity that... Continue Reading →
According to meteorologists and a local pensioner's bunions, the icy temperatures strangling the UK show no sign of relenting in the coming days. Originating in Scandinavia and dubbed the 'Beast from the East', this meteorological front is currently acquiring more column inches than any other news story. Apart, that is, from Saturday's English rugby defeat... Continue Reading →
Yesterday morning, I woke to a festive scene of a snow scattering in the village of East Ardsley, Wakefield. Despite the presence of winter sun, zero centigrade temperatures outside of my mother's house meant this covering wasn't in any great rush to abate. It's procrastination at melting requiring villagers to take extra care on ungritted roads and pavements. There wasn't a great deal... Continue Reading →