The Sincerest For Of Poetry
Apprenticed To My Mother
Walking Into Trouble
Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle
The Last Will Of Sven Andersen
Booms And Busts
Buster & Moo
Salisbury Square
My Father and Other Liars
Life In A Conversation
Life, in a Grain of Sand
Life In A Flash
Category Archives: memories
The Writing Is On…
It’s rare that I write anything by hand these days, at least not so as it matters. I had to write a cheque which is in itself a rare treat. But it had to be readable to serve its purpose … Continue reading
Skool Teekchers Wot Ay Haf Noan: part three – Maple Road Primary
My teachers at Primary school were a mixed bunch. I’ve described the first three over the last couple of days. Today we will end with Miss Hazel, the psychopathic and the one man, Mr Hole, the avuncular. Miss Hazel was … Continue reading
Skool Teekchers Wot Ay Haf Noan: part one – Maple Road Primary
I have been taught by the timid, the tremendous, the tired and the terrible – quite a few of the latter in truth. The best weren’t necessarily either good teachers or knew their subject but they had character – some … Continue reading
Punch #dog #memory
Funny old world. I was with the Vet and the Pest Controller who were looking at a house they might buy and we passed a dog. A boxer. I’d fallen behind them – for some reason I’d felt the urge … Continue reading
Bowler Hatted #humour #memories
In the UK there has been a mild frisson of woke irritation ever since an ’eminent’ divorce lawyer banned cardigans on women as inappropriate attire in the office. They should look executive, like the president of a country. I have … Continue reading
Posted in humour, memories
Tagged bowler hats, dad, memories, office dress, train travel
24 Comments
Music And Movement
Children are always on the move. Fidgety was one description for me, back in the day. Today I read a delightful post about how small children love to latch onto music and just move, just dance. Jennie Fitzkee of A … Continue reading
The University Years: The Demon Drink
In 1975, living in the arse end of nowhere, I did not have a sophisticated outlook. Nothing about my existence, immediately prior to going to university could be described as sophisticated and nothing exemplified this better than my relationship with … Continue reading
Posted in Bristol, memories, miscellany, university
Tagged Bristol, drinking, university
29 Comments
My Father: Reluctant Soldier #lettersfrompalestine #1946
In January 1946, having just turned 19, my father was dispatched to Palestine as part of the peace keeping force mandated by the League of Nations and soon to be remandated by the newly formed United Nations to try and … Continue reading
Posted in dad's letters, memories, miscellany, Palestine, paratrooper
Tagged 1946, dad's letters, Palestine, Paratrooper
24 Comments
The University Years: Learning How To Learn #bristoluniversity #1975
It is 1975 and I’ve left my sleepy New Forest home for the bright lights and persistent rain that was Bristol University to study law and life. I had a lot to learn. My first year degree subjects comprised the … Continue reading
Posted in Bristol, law, life, memories, miscellany, university
Tagged 1975, Bristol, degree, law, university
14 Comments
My Father’s Pride #memories #poetry #parachuteregiment
In June 1945 my father was 18. He wrote the letter below to my mother, his then girlfriend with momentous news. He had undertaken his first parachute jump preparatory to being admitted as a member of the Parachute Regiment. He … Continue reading
Posted in memories, miscellany
Tagged 1945, father, memories, Parachute regiment, Paratrooper, poem, poetry, WW2
59 Comments
