19 August 2020

And he’s in charge of what?

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Seems that stream of consciousness is still in use: THE following apologies for sentences are all complete and direct quotes from one who should know better. What happened to leading by example? “If there is an unfairness there is nothing that I will do in order to address that unfairness.” “[Ofqual, the exams watchdog] came… Continue Reading

19 August 2020

And he’s in charge of what?

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Seems that stream of consciousness is still in use: THE following apologies for sentences are all complete and direct quotes from one who should know better. What happened to leading by example? “If there is an unfairness there is nothing that I will do in order to address that unfairness.” “[Ofqual, the exams watchdog] came… Continue Reading

17 August 2020

When a famous mystery writer becomes her own suspect

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OUR libraries and bookshops offer an intriguing double-whammy for devotees of crime fiction. They can either select a mystery by the enduring and much revered Josephine Tey,   or they can delve into a tale of  much more recent vintage in which the same Josephine Tey is the solver of the crime. To all intents… Continue Reading

27 July 2020

Lighthouse death a legacy of family’s maritime links

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AS far back as I can discover, the patriarchal side of my Celtic family has always had close links to the sea. It has brought them employment, skills and opportunities. But also uncertainty, hardship and sudden death, in peace as well as in war. They include shipwrights, blacksmiths, mariners, tidewaiters, missionaries, lighthouse keepers, fishermen, Customs… Continue Reading

23 July 2020

Patients need patience: the doctor will (not) see you now

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DOCTORS must be loving this new world order. The one where they filter enquiries to such an extent that they are rarely bothered with having to deal with patients face to face. Those nuisances (once known as patients) are kept firmly at arm’s length; or an aggravating (Dial 1 for …) phone call away. Barriers… Continue Reading

16 July 2020

The daily struggle: depression or pushups

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MOSTLY  I tend to ignore the endless flood of social media challenges nominating me to participate in the latest “Ten of …” lists. My main reason is an abiding suspicion of all posts that come without an identifiable source. Their origins are hidden deep beyond the “friend” who is suggesting I spend ten days naming… Continue Reading

12 July 2020

Pedal power: what a difference a [day] bike makes

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LITTLE wonder it is called a freedom machine. One that becomes more and more so as the years (and miles) roll by. I refer, of course, to that two-wheeled wonder, the bicycle. Thanks to the recent addition of electrical power,  it is now a pleasure that even ancient limbs can continue to enjoy. It has… Continue Reading

2 July 2020

Taut teaser a good introduction to German crime fiction

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AND now for something completely different with a truly gripping thriller from a source not previously sampled. After years of immersion in the tide of Scandi Noir, I am stepping out into fresh fields with a switch to German Noir. Well, completely different and fresh for this reader, although no doubt it has been flourishing… Continue Reading

22 June 2020

Perverse persistence of parents of the past

OKAY, so we know you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. For verification, just ask any woman who has tried to persuade a man to stop wearing the same old grey and switch to something brighter, cheerier. Anything to make a change. Further supporting evidence comes by way of that other cliche that a… Continue Reading

21 June 2020

Signs of the times unread and ignored

EDUCATION standards are definitely slipping. Casual observation of  the dosy dawdlers slowly refilling out streets indicates that this is so. So many citizens  are showing an inability to read.  To them, the inscribed shapes appearing all around them are nothing more than heiroglyphics. And those who have passed the brain-straining next step of transforming these… Continue Reading

13 June 2020

Unexpected intruders in pandemic dreamtime

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Hi Mum, everything all right? No reply. Morning Dad, how’s tricks? Silence, not a word. And why should I expect one? It’s been such a long time since we last spoke. Something like thirty years or more in dad’s case, probably going on for even lo ger. More recently with mu, almost in this century…. Continue Reading

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