Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
It’s been around twelve months now since I commence partaking in the campervan life. Since popping my camping cherry, witnessing the equipment and accessories available to us individuals embracing life in the great outdoors has truly amazed me. Saying that, though, I am yet to find a photocopying machine or paper shredder specifically designed for... Continue Reading →
As much as social media can unearth the ill-thought out rantings of the negative, confrontational, uninformed and those bereft of humanity (and that's just me!!), there's numerous examples of it also forming a platform for good. A greatly uplifting medium that provides a catalyst to situations manifesting positive user benefits. For instance, over the past 2-3... Continue Reading →
"Who wants a game of Japs and Commandos?.... Who wants a game of Japs and Commandos?" A schoolyard enquiry frequently heard at Oakfield Junior School during my fledgling education years of 1968-1974. A chant ordinarily started at breaktime by a small number of boys intent on attracting recruits for their game. A query made by... Continue Reading →
In the early 1990's, I became an avid listener of an early evening Saturday radio show conceived by BBC Radio Five (later Five Live), which was fronted by a chirpy, motormouth Londoner named Danny Baker. An audio nugget I stumbled across by accident. This a consequence of leaving the radio broadcasting when Sports Report's concluded... Continue Reading →
Last year I wrote a trilogy of unreliable junior cricket memories while playing for Gateshead Fell Cricket Club (GFCC) in the late 1970's, early 1980's. This trinity of yarns were based on fact supplemented by several fictional elements, as is my literary want. GFCC Juniors – Class of ’80 Tales from ‘The Fell’ Scorebox –... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, my lunchtime was spent at an Italian restaurant in the centre of our splendid West Yorkshire metropolis. Here my wife and I feasted on festive fare, prior to being royally entertained by classic sounds from the Motown songbook, while imbibing an agreeable bottle of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. In our hosts glitzy 1920's art-deco style surroundings, four singers (3 male and 1 female)took us back to the 1960's, bequeathing... Continue Reading →
I'm unable to visit my dad in the hospice with the rest of the family until this afternoon. The consequence of Karma, in her infinite wisdom, decreeing my past misdemeanours warrant a current existence of two close family members with incurable illness. I'm unsure what's caused Karma's wrath, but I'm beginning to regret stealing segments of my brother's Terrys... Continue Reading →
Wintertide At The Fox Parkland situ alehouse Stout of porter and constitution Thou comforting embers aglow Warming soul and spirit from unwanted chill. Wintertide sanctuary from Theoi Meteoroi Sustain thy children until time of bell Till adieus fall silent from thy ears And the Peroni pipes flow abates The Road to Recovery 2014, bereft... Continue Reading →
Wintertide At The Roundhay Fox Parkland situ alehouse Stout of porter and constitution Thou comforting embers aglow Warming soul and spirit from unwanted chill.Wintertide sanctuary from Theoi Meteoroi Sustain thy children until time of bell Till adieus fall silent from thy ears And the Peroni pipes cease. ———————————————————- The Road to Recovery 2014, bereft of... Continue Reading →