There can't be many things I have in common with the down and outs of Richmond, but it is clear that we both share one affinity; the local graveyard. I know why I like it. Apart from it being a short-cut to the station there is something special about its airy calm, elegantly bordered York-slab…
Blankety blank
Being an unwitting stooge in an organised charade made me furious and the feeling persists weeks later. Moreover, as it was a very public affair the charade affected many more people than just me! It all started several months ago when, out of the blue, I received a letter from a university inviting me to…
The precious slippers
It is most unusual for us to get presents unannounced, but there they were, popped through the letterbox in a brown paper envelope. Out came a pair of hand-made slippers with tough plastic soles and pink crocheted uppers. Accompanying them was a hand-written letter addressed to 'Two friends in UK' and signed by 'Esakwan'. All…
The Hochurch Admiral
The first part of this tale is true. Beyond that, judge for yourself; me, I’m just not sure. It was my late Great Uncle Edwin who first told us the story, when we were small. Back in the ‘twenties or so he had taught at the village school in a place which he called Hochurch.…
A frame of mind
After much discussion and several site visits our differences were resolved. Nothing major, simply that my wife and I needed to agree just when best to introduce a new layout to the vegetable patch in France. Our plan was to rearrange the patch so that it would have six raised beds, instead of the old…
Cold turkey
It was odd to wake to the sound of the dishwasher, as it had finished its run as we went to bed - it must have turned itself back on during the night! Just as odd was to find that we were without any Internet link. But, unlike the dishwasher, apparently this had turned itself…
Magic well
Joe Collier discovers lost well in garden. Authorities now looking into it. Last week I sat twiddling my thumbs. I had planned several summer projects but all had been thwarted. Finally, my wife suggested that if I had nothing better to do, why not look for the well in the front garden. We learned of…
A rat problem
Sentimentality has never been my thing, or it wasn't until recently. There had been hints of some softening, when I found myself mulling over family photos, but stronger evidence for real change came when I felt sorry for a rat. The point is that I hate rats. Not being a Beatrix Potter sort of a…