When I was a young child, my parents used to take us kids with them when they went to friends for dinner. This was a win-win. They didn’t have to pay for a babysitter, and my brothers and I got to stay up late listening to the grown-ups downstairs getting louder and louder until there was a sudden stop – … More Headlights in the Treetops
Yesterday, I did something I’ve never done before. I went to the cinema in the afternoon, on my own. At least I can’t remember having done this before, but now a vague memory is whispering that this is not true and that many years ago, when I lived in Mainz in Germany, I fled a … More Alcarràs
I had all of Saturday to travel from Swansea in the West to Cambridge in the East, so I decided to stop mid-way. A refuge from the fast lane which promised to peel back the centuries. All the way to the sacred oaks of Awsty Wood, the marching feet of Roman legionnaires, and the group … More A Sanctuary
I know a woman who sprays herself with perfume each time she goes for a run. Afterwards, she takes a shower and washes both sweat and fragrance away. I know a man whose right hand clenches into a fist when he finds his running rhythm. His left hand always remains relaxed, even when he tries … More On ‘Being young until you get old’.
On watching The Humans with my humans. (A movie by Stephen Karam that centres on the gathering of what some have called a ‘dysfunctional family’ was likely to contain elements that would hit home.) Six members of a multi-generational family gather together in Chinatown, Manhattan, at the newly acquired duplex of the youngest (adult) daughter, … More The Humans
I began a Christmas post earlier this month. I decided to abandon it when my daughter was arguing with me at 11 o’clock at night. At that time the kids were still at school, midwinter was creeping close, and Kent was (only) Tier 3. A general feeling of ‘Bah! Humbug!‘ has been sidling up to … More Merry Christmas from an Island
A few days ago, I lost my mojo. A mid-week malady that stayed the weekend. … More Losing my mojo
Yesterday, my daughter pointed out the grey in my hair. She thought she was being helpful. It’s not the only thing I’ve been reminded about this week. For example, the ‘lockdown-logue’ that I’ve forgotten to write. It started last Monday with a tight scrawl. Tuesday saw a looser enthusiasm which tailed off around mid-week, and … More Silver not Grey
Yesterday’s fun freezer find was a decade old. The label was a little smudged but read: “Rhubarb and [something illegible] Crumble, 2010.” I asked some friends the question: “Should we?“ There came a mixed response from “Glad it’s not just me!” and “Definitely!” and “Must. Not. Waste. Crumble.” to “2010????????” (which I took to be … More Illegible but not Inedible
Yesterday, I met a woman in a shop. She didn’t give me her name, but she did divulge her age: 92 – yet she looked closer to 72 with her bright blue eyes, and I told her so. I asked her what her secret was. She looked a little bemused by my question, paused to … More Yesterday
Have Paprika, Will Travel 