Author Archives: TanGental

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.

Unpicking History

Posted on Dec 6, 2022 by TanGental

We went to the British Museum to see their exhibition on Egyptian Hieroglyphs. The most interesting section, for me, was the description of the hunt to decipher this unique and almost lost language. A French Egyptologist and and English polymath … Continue reading →

Posted in miscellany, museums | Tagged british museum, Egyptology, hieroglyphs, museums | 1 Comment

Week Forty-Five: 2022

Posted on Dec 5, 2022 by TanGental

I realise I must have missed a few weeks as there aren’t seven weeks left in the year. I wonder what I did with them? This week we had a trip to the British Museum to see the Hieroglyph exhibition … Continue reading →

Posted in 2022, thought piece | Tagged 2022, dog, Suffolk, thought piece | 9 Comments

Inspirational Quites

Posted on Dec 4, 2022 by TanGental

Do you sometimes come across a quote and think ‘yes, that’s exactly right.’? These aren’t those…. These are more likely to make you think ‘well, quite’. Those fluttery things at the ends of branches are called leaves because every year … Continue reading →

Posted in humour, miscellany, quotes | Tagged humour, quotes | 43 Comments

Two Peas #writephoto

Posted on Dec 3, 2022 by TanGental

This week’s #writephoto prompt is Horace And Henry Horace and Henry Plasterboard, Little Tittweaking’s one set of identical twins had always done the same thing, dressed the same, achieved the same academic results, undertaken the same apprenticeship and finished the … Continue reading →

Posted in #writephoto, creative writing, flash fiction, humour, little Tittweaking, miscellany | Tagged #writephoto, creative writing, flash fiction, humour, little Tittweaking | 24 Comments

To Confuse A Muse

Posted on Dec 2, 2022 by TanGental

I really thought I had a poem about to emerge but all I ended up with was a confused nonsense… To Confuse A Muse I tried, ‘The sun is scintillizing…’ But my muse stopped me with a cry ‘You can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in miscellany, poems, poetry, sonnets | Tagged poem, poetry, sonnets | 23 Comments

HBTM

Posted on Nov 30, 2022 by TanGental

Posted in miscellany | 48 Comments

Primate Deniability #carrotranch #99wordstories

Posted on Nov 29, 2022 by TanGental

This week’s carrot ranch prompt is November 28, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the saying, “not my monkeys, not my circus”. What is the situation that would spawn that aphorism? Have fun … Continue reading →

Posted in #99wordstories, Carrot Ranch Congress of Rough Writers, creative writing, flash fiction, humour, little Tittweaking, miscellany | Tagged Carrot Ranch Congress of Rough Writers, Charli Mill's prompt, flash fiction, humour, little Tittweaking, writing | 22 Comments

Week Forty-Four: 2022

Posted on Nov 28, 2022 by TanGental

For once I’m pleased the autumn rugby internationals are over. England’s performances have been pretty unappealing and that’s a shame as I do enjoy a bit of looking forward to sporting events. It’s the same with the football. I’m with … Continue reading →

Posted in 2022, miscellany, thought piece | Tagged 2022, thought piece | 35 Comments

Foggy Bottoms #writephoto

Posted on Nov 27, 2022 by TanGental

This week’s #writephoto prompt is Terry Godd settled on the mountain top, tamped his pipe and surveyed the world. Yes, he could be pleased. Not euphoric and certainly not smug. Pleased. Content. Pretty hap… ‘TERRANCE!’ Terry sat up straight. If … Continue reading →