Chronicle of a Croydon Boy

Just a swift update on our early wintry conditions. No letup in sight for a few days more, worse luck! We had one of our local farmers clear...

Long time, no show. Blame the snow! We're locked inside our remote area as the roads are VERY dodgy. Hopefully it will not be too long ...

On my way to get some victuals and stuff from Tesco's in Galashiels I took a short ride through the grounds of Mellerstain and spotted s...

Hello again. It's been one of those months: my wife, Pat, had a second hip replacement and I'm now not only chief cook, bottlewashe...

This morning my wife, Pat, and I were invited to the annual art exhibition in the basement corridors of Mellerstain House. Quite a decent c...

It's just gone 11 a.m. today, Friday 18th June 2010. Looking out of the sitting room window I can spot a long feather pointing upwards u...

A visit to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh today was brightened when I met sad-eyed Sam, the mixed breed dog on the No. 86 bus from Dalkeit...

In the UK, as in other places I guess, we have a system whereby judges travel around the country to hear court cases. They are well-paid an...

This is something I received in one of those emails from somebody who cobbles together some interesting (to me) bits and bobs from wherever ...

One of my neighbours, Louise, went to Canada and New Zealand over a year ago to work as a volunteer on organic farms. Her lovely Border Coll...

Bright and cheery day today, Sunday 2nd May 2010. Good news about my ballroom dance teacher, Patricia Stinton, who is back in her own home t...

Today I am feeling very sad. A telephone message on my answer-phone to say that a person I've known since 1951 is in hospital in Croydo...

I discovered this beautiful singer, Lara Fabian, some months ago. She is now living in Canada (lucky country). I think she has also had a b...

Today I've seen one of the most heart-rending documentaries ever. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is renowned for its work in ...

When I was a young, and very foolish, young chap I favoured many singers, crooners and pop stars and in my top 5 was Al Martino . His great...

It is now late March, 2010, time for a bit of FlipVideoing at Mellerstain House before the Easter opening here. There's been some west w...

You never know who might be reading your blog. People all over the world might be just stumbling across your writings. Others, like the yo...

Yesterday evening I watched one of the most thought-provoking and emotional BBC television programmes ever. The late Richard Dimbledy, who d...

In the early days of broadcasting, BTV (before television), the BBC newsreaders were made to dress formally: i.e. dinner suits for men and e...

I've got a couple of goldfish. I keep them in a goldfish bowl. They've been called "One" and "Two" - though I c...