Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Today, I've had another venture west across the Pennine Hills, my third or fourth visit to the north west in a month. This time to pick my mum Maggie up from my sister Helen's home in Macclesfield, where she'd spent a few days with her youngest offspring. A visit including mater's attendance at a performance... Continue Reading →
In the late 1950's/early 1960's my grandparents owned a fish and chip restaurant on land which later became the roundabout at junction 27 of the M62 at Birstall. This land on the cusp of Gildersome and Morley - Suburban bastions separated by Gelderd Road in the west of Leeds. Although his tenure as the Harry... Continue Reading →
Owners of canines often submit that a man's best friend is his dog. However, I'd argue it's a deeply flawed claim as my best friend is Eddie Fluet from Compton Street, Drighlington. Dog owners may counter this claim, making the observation I haven't got a mutt, and if I did I'd be so enamoured with... Continue Reading →
I visited Wales for the first time over the weekend. At over 50 years of age, my inaugural sojourn to a nation the Welsh dub 'lad of my fathers' long overdue. This tardiness at sampling the domain famed for dragons, leeks and daffodils consequential of my preference to holiday at the nearer beach resorts; predominantly on... Continue Reading →
Yesterday evening we held a slightly previous family get together to celebrate Mrs Strachan senior's 79th birthday. Although technically not her anniversary of birth until today, already pressing engagements resulted in the clan marking the dawning of mater's 80th year a day early. The brood's celebration of the event taking place in an East Leeds Italian... Continue Reading →
Yesterday evening I watched a recording of a BBC Four broadcast of the John Wilson Orchestra from the Royal Albert Hall; a performance forming part of the 2019 Proms season. The Gateshead-born conductor's orchestra treating their audience to a selection of music from Warner Brothers movies. John Wilson was educated in the same Low Fell... Continue Reading →
The other day I inadvertently, but gratifyingly, came across an emotive Gregory Porter cover of the song It's Probably Me, originally brought to audiences attention on Sting's 1992 album Ten Summoner' Tales. Porter's version of a refrain performed live in front of an audience including the former the Police frontman, during 2017's Polar Music Prize... Continue Reading →
I've got a weekend home alone. Consequently, GJ Strachan will be spending a great deal of his time slobbing around the place in his undies armed with a pizza and a six pack of beer...... I just hope it's not a lifestyle strategy which leads to me getting a lifetime ban from Tescos!! One positive... Continue Reading →
It's rare I remember my dreams. This morning, though, a segment of last night's slumber visions remained with me until my waking hour. This sleep scene a rather dark encounter where, while within the dream I was penning a narrative in a coffee house, I was held at gunpoint by three 'desperados' with aspirations of... Continue Reading →