The balcony from hell
I am sure I am not alone when I say that if ever I were to have a stroke or become dependant on others for basic care then I’d rather […]
Author Archives: Ian
Catastasis
Observing the behaviour of our two cats earlier today, I had one of those moments when I remembered when they were nothing but kittens and we were naive new cat […]
There’s a really creepy feeling
There’s a really creepy feeling in our house on a night, the sort that makes you shudder as you’re turning off the light .There are creaks and groans, and noises, […]
The instrument that amazes the world
A Gilbert, the instrument that amazes the world, was the must have for the younger generation circa 1928. After all, what on earth do you buy a close family member […]
Soviet Tajikistan 1991
It was hot, 40 degrees of dry, relentless heat. The hall was slightly cooler than outside but even with all the windows open or broken, holes in the ceiling and […]
Popplewell Farm
Popplewell Farm was one big adventure for John. Furrows and farrows, pigsties and chicken runs, haystacks and hay barns, horses and blacksmiths, milk carts and milk churns, tractors and trucks. […]
Crackpot
Ena was busy in the kitchen. Tuesday was baking day as well as wash-day and with Joyce having quinsies again, she had never stopped. To top it all, it was […]
How not to batter a cat – 8 important lessons.
The studio was in darkness with only the faint glow of a waning moon casting unfamiliar shadows. After ten minutes or so my eyes adjusted and I began to make […]
Mind the gap
Gap years didn’t happen when I was of that age. ‘O’ Levels, ‘A’ Levels, University and then full-time employment or fail ‘O’ levels, apprenticeship and full-time employment were the only […]
Random encounters
Sunday morning visits to the market are few and far between but when they do happen they provide a rich palette of memories and the possibility of an unexpected purchase […]
small tales 