Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
I wrote a few weeks back about my intention to join a local community choir. This a group of engaging individuals I'd watched perform on Garforth Main Street during festivities for the Tour de Yorkshire. My own particular presence in the vicinity to undertake a voluntary collection for Marie Curie Cancer Support. Watching the glee... Continue Reading →
It would've been my old man's 83rd birthday today. At 9am*** precisely he'd have rung either me, or one of my two siblings, and in his engaging Leeds accent thanked us for his presents - Ordinarily a decent bottle of red and a CD. After relaying his gratitude he'd hang up, going on to make... Continue Reading →
On the album Nothing Like The Sun ex-Police frontman Sting gifted his discerning listener a serene refrain titled 'Fragile'. Contained within it a particularly emotive musical thread performed on Spanish guitar. A melancholic yet comforting melody apparently inspired by the killing of a peace corps volunteer in Nicaragua. As a non-musician I'm unqualified to give... Continue Reading →
Chestnuts roasting on a open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose Yuletide songs being sung by a choir Folks dressed up like Eskimos. Just a few of this morning's distractions to my literary flow. Attempting to write a narrative when someone's nipping your nose, not to mention enduring the tuneless cacophony of a choir outside, was quite a challenge....... I probably... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I ventured to the enchanting North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate, our journey courtesy of the number 36 Ripon bus. It was a congenial sojourn in the comfort of leather upholstery seats with integrated USB port, personal table, free wifi and the affable tones of TV presenter Harry Gration informing passengers the location of each stop. During... Continue Reading →
Bereft of a topic for today's narrative, I cast my gaze over towards the gogglebox in the opposite corner of the room. On screen Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and the other blonde lass whose name currently escapes me, heartily warble the song ‘White Christmas’, while festively adorning in red Santa garments. Evoking memories of Christmas’ past, Bing... Continue Reading →