Month: January 2012

At between 09:30 and 10:00 yesterday morning someone stole my milk.  It was in the fridge on the bottom shelf, two pints and had ICT written on the lid in black marker. It was daylight robbery. I’d made myself a cup of tea, went into the kitchen, opened the fridge and noticed.  I reached for … Continue reading Milk snatcher

If I could talk to the animals, what would I say?  If I could talk dog or horse or snake, what would I talk about? Even if I could bark or whinny or hiss, would we have anything in common?  Would they understand my train of thought?  Would we have enough joint experiences to hold … Continue reading If I could talk to the animals

As Holocaust Memorial day draws to close I would like to pay tribute to Primo Levi, an Italian atheist of Jewish decent and a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp. I first became aware of him when I read his book ‘The Periodic Table’ (Il sistema periodico), a collection of short stories retelling his days … Continue reading Primo Levi

This is not my idea but traffic exists in three states, gas, liquid and solid. You are driving along, the road is relatively clear in front.  You pass the odd car and lorry here and there, slowing down occasionally to avoid a collision or speeding up to overtake.  There is very little interaction between your … Continue reading The states of traffic

My passion for trains is a product of my education.  I didn’t go to a boarding school but the place was sufficiently like Hogwarts to have houses, societies and clubs for eager and willing pupils.  I hung my hat on the Railway Soc. mainly because, at the time I was living in Durham but going … Continue reading The love of Deltics part 1

Of all the sins that befall mankind, the most deadly is the sin of classification.  We do it all the time, we just can’t help ourselves. From the moment that we are born we are measured, judged and classified.  Weight, colour of eyes, nationality, parental status and even religion, it never stops.  We are numbered, … Continue reading The sin of classification

It can take a long time for the kettle to boil.  While you’re waiting, why not test your skill and dexterity with a game of teabag quoits?  It’s a simple game.  Place the teacup, or target on the bench, ready for the hot water. Take a few steps back, take aim and try and throw … Continue reading The flight of the teabag

There is a man in Durham. He drives a silver Volkswagen.  He parks it in a lane near to County Hall, near to the museum. I see him when I park there in the morning and I see him when I leave again in the evening.  I see him when I drive past and I … Continue reading The man in the silver Volkswagen