List of posts

  • Holiday Road

    Holiday Road

    So, we recently enjoyed a short break in the Cotswolds, and a few of our experiences got me pondering the topic of roads. Not much to see here, you say, and indeed that can be very true on one of those long journeys along a motorway when there truly is not much to see. They…

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  • Is it just me?

    Is it just me or are things not like they used to be? Maybe I am just getting old…. ha ha! It does seem to me that there are things designed to make life easier that are failing in their purposes. Take packing for example. Am I the only one who cannot peel open at…

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  • Why Wasps?

    Why Wasps?

    It’s a question I have asked myself many times. I have never been overfond of the more creepy-crawly insects, though I love butterflies, of course. I never would have made it in my first career dream, of being an Applied Biologist. I think I knew that when our A Level teacher walked back into the…

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  • Lest We Forget

    Lest We Forget

    For once this was not written to entertain, but to reflect how I felt after reading ‘Tales from Lindford’ by Catherine Fox while on a few days retreat. It took me right back to 2020, and being based on life in the church it was a very poignant reminder of those days, when COVID stalked…

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  • Weather the weather

    Weather the weather

    I learnt a song once, the gist of which was “‘Whatever the weather, we weather the weather, whether we like it or not.” Obvious really, but increasingly difficult in some places. I am not built for heat, having too much padding. I much prefer a nice chill, but not too cold. At least when it’s…

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  • Take the fall…

    Take the fall…

    It’s funny how some things fall into place. I was contemplating our impending (and much anticipated) trip to the local theatre to see Giovani and Anton in their two men show. (In this case other dancers are not available). I got to thinking that once upon a time I could balance on my own two…

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  • The Perils of Collections

    I recently gave a talk entitled “Are you an Arctophile?’ and asked people to bring along their own teddy bears to share in the fun. Then I had to work out which of my collection I would take along on the day. It was not long before I had filled a crate, a bag and…

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  • Be Prepared!

    Be Prepared!

    Having spent over half a lifetime in Guiding, I am familiar with the concept of ‘Be Prepared’, even if I don’t always remember to be so. Of course, you can’t be prepared for absolutely everything. Nobody expects the unexpected, or so they say. A pessimist tends towards the gloomy side and expects the worst. An…

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  • What gets you up in the morning?

    I am not by nature an early bird. As I get older I am not much of a night owl either, falling asleep in front of the television more often than not. My (alleged) working days are Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, so I get up reasonably early (for me) those days. On my (alleged)…

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  • Love it or Hate it?

    I strongly suspect that the title gives away what prompted my musings today, not to mention the picture – my mate Marmite (other spreads are available). As the world knows, you either love it or hate it. Except that the world does not all know. I do remember a trip to the states where I…

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