To everyone who feels they are different… it is that which makes you special. If you read this blog regularly, it will come as no surprise that this particular post focusses on the publication today of my second novella, called Living the Difference. Set in the fictional town of Eastwood Read more…
With tales of pop stardom, politics and priesthood, the Reverend Richard Coles delighted his audience. A born raconteur, there were anecdotes galore about a ‘liveable life’, as he called it. The former choirboy had turned atheist turned member of The Communards turned Christian and then priest. The ‘borderline national trinket’, Read more…
I am not a comedian – although I am delighted that one who certainly is, Paul Kerensa, will be bringing his one man show about the BBC to where we live in Devon in March. Paul is an award-winning comic and writer for such shows as Miranda, Not Going Out, Read more…
Sixty years ago, a new phrase entered the English language. Like other well-known sayings, whether from Shakespeare, Churchill, the Bible and elsewhere, Martin Luther King’s proclamation on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC would always be remembered. ‘I have a dream.’ After years of non-violent campaigning, the Read more…
“Are you settled yet?” Rather like when I was preparing for retirement, we could have become rich from the number of times we’ve been asked that following our recent move. (“Have you packed yet?” was a similar repeated enquiry beforehand.) So, when people ask us if we’re settled – the Read more…
Recent years have seen the rise of the ‘celebrity novelist’. People who became famous in the world of actual entertainment turning their hand to a fictional version. Richard Osman, Graham Norton, Mel Giedroyc, Reverend Richard Coles, Tom Hanks, Ruth Jones and Anton du Beke to name just a few. If Read more…
A rather curious phenomenon is happening. Although I still have 18 months to go before I get my bus pass and state pension, I’ve noticed an increasing number of people assuming that I am retired (which I am) rather than asking me what I do. It’s not limited to casual Read more…
It’s been quite a few weeks. Jane and I have moved house – only 15 minutes down the road, but a house move is a house move. Our daughter, Rachel, has also done the same – from Durham to Lancashire (with most of her belongings travelling from Devon). Jane has Read more…
‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself,’ (Mark 12:31). Probably most of us feel comfortable with the ‘love your neighbour’ bit… thinking of others, being kind to people… ‘Yep, I can do that. That bit’s OK.’ But what about, ‘as yourself’? To love ourselves in the same way as we Read more…
This may seem like a rather nerdy thing to mention. On the day Jane and I married, I was 11,750 days old (that’s 32 and a bit years in old money). Today, 18 April, we have been married… yes, you’ve guessed it, 11,750 days. When we married, not only did Read more…