Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
A quarter of a century ago today my second and youngest offspring made her surprise appearance in a Bedfordshire hospital. To clarify, when I say surprise I'm referring to the fact my daughter Rachel was born a week early - Not that my wife Karen hadn't realised she was pregnant. I can relay that observation... Continue Reading →
As a fledgling cricketer learning the game at Gateshead Fell cricket club (GFCC), it soon became apparent that certain knowledge voids about the game had to be filled sooner rather than later. Possibly the most key being awareness that two spherical objects who'd taken recent residence in my M&S undies needed protecting from the hard... Continue Reading →
A couple of days in Bedfordshire with two long-term mates, has meant nostalgia, beer, Thai curry and pizza have been my metaphorical weekend mistresses. I first met these amiable chaps in 1983 when I started working at British Coal's Gateshead computer centre...... One of the lads is called Bill, the other (like me) isn't. Not only did we work together in the north east... Continue Reading →
Within the confines of casa Strachan is a large storage box. Unlike the musical box in 1970's time-lapse animation kids show Camberwick Green, this particular treasure trove is bereft of an enclosed secret. A particular childhood favourite of mine, from the BBC's 'Watch With Mother' series, the children's TV programme above commenced with a rotating vessel opening it's lid to exhibit that weeks main plot character; wood puppet... Continue Reading →
During the last few months, I've occasionally penned about times as a fledgling cricketer in my teens/early 20's, playing at Gateshead Fell Cricket Club. These unreliable memories started with Tales From The Scoreboard - Part One and Tales from ‘The Fell’ Scorebox – Part 2 : closely followed by a whimsical tribute to my 1980 junior teammates with tongue in cheek biographies in GFCC - Class... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I wrote of a whimsical journey back in time, courtesy of discoveries made during a tidy of my mother's garage. Not only did this unearthing of books and effects from my childhood take me back to my youth, it also exposed me to giant spiders, a hitherto unexplored toolbox that once belonged to my granddad, and a huge tub of chicken manure pellets. God... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I wrote of a memory from my schooldays which resulted in receiving several pieces of very encouraging feedback. In fact one friend went as far as saying "I've just read your blog, Gary. Any chance I can borrow a tin of soup?" Buoyed by this positive critique, I thought I'd try recollect further memories from around that... Continue Reading →
An old geography teacher of mine once taught “All roads lead to Rome!” Who am I to disagree with Mr Hanson, but that’s not what my GPS (Sat Nav) is currently telling me. This amazing navigational device clearly highlights the road I’m currently on (B1237 York Ring Road) will lead me to the Monks Cross Shopping Centre,... Continue Reading →
Tonight, All Hallows' Evening will be celebrated in a number of countries around the globe. A time of fancy dress, imaginatively sculptured pumpkins and hyper kids not sleeping after eating six bags of Haribo gummy bears, four lollies and eighteen sherbet dips. Blimey, I’m showing my age there. I'm not even sure you can still purchase sherbet... Continue Reading →