Tag Archives: Family

Landlords, tenants and an uneven playing field.


“Remember, tenants should be aware that at any time, in the periodical phase of their tenancy, they can be evicted by landlords – tenants should bear this in mind when standing up for their rights.”  This telling phrase appears in … Continue reading

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Hello to half a century (and then some).


Fifty-five is not an insubstantial age but not as old as I hope to be one day – assuming I will remain in fine fettle of course. This year’s birthday celebrations extended to before and beyond the day itself and … Continue reading

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Scotland: reunions, drama, art & a poet


  One rainy July afternoon, BB and I arrived at a remote part of Scotland where we found forty people sheltering under a large pergola tent, sharing a generous picnic. We had landed at the opening event of an Outlaw … Continue reading

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A Wanstead afternoon and other social shenanigans


It began on the first Friday of April. I had invited very old friends from Cambridge days of yore, people with whom I had mingled during the year of my secretarial training. The early ‘80s involved partner in crime, the … Continue reading

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A London antidote: the joys and jewels of Northern Ireland


Mystical light, ruby skies and shades of green that dazzle the eye; rambling roads, rocky ups and rolling downs … This is Northern Ireland, a striking, beautiful place that flies in the face of expectation to reveal visual joy, drama … Continue reading

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Diaries: soulmates, dates and derring-do.


“I need the dates of all the countries I have visited since 2005,” said The Exocet from Australia. “Could you please try and remember when and where we went on holidays and trips away?” Of course my darling; I have … Continue reading

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A brief skirmish with Cancer


It started with an abdominal pain. The ache had been there for a while but as I had taken up Pilates and was using my core muscles more intensively, it became more intense too. It feels like a twisted bowel … Continue reading

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