Tag Archives: Southport
Memories, murders and riots (a longish one, sorry)
Listening to Delius’ A Walk to the Paradise Garden on the wonderful BBC Radio 3. This evocative piece of music transports me, on a wave of that curious emotion which combines joy, wonder, rapture with a sad awareness that things … Continue reading
Sun, fun and feeling the wind in your hair
One of my favourite works of fiction is the Deptford Trilogy by the late Canadian author, Robertson Davies. A master story-teller if ever there was one. In it, one young boy’s instinctive reaction sets the fantastical ball of the story … Continue reading
An invisible man and a nice cup of tea
On dimly lit suburban streets, in the hours before dawn, it’s as silent as our world can be. Up in the lofty fir trees, knowing owls watch for prey. Foxes prowl through tangled brambles growing beyond neat garden fences. And … Continue reading
Do you like your shrimps shaken – or stirred?
James Bond likes his shrimps potted. It’s the bizarre kind of fact a journalist finds useful for livening up a dull article. I once worked on a magazine in Park Lane, London. At Christmas the printers used to take my … Continue reading
Five foot two, eyes of blue, yellow bags – and a grand tea, too
‘Diddly diddly diddly doo’ – hard to imagine, if you’re not there, but that’s the audience participation bit – along with ‘ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!’ – to the song, Delilah. It’s a strange song, Delilah. Creepy and jaunty – … Continue reading
The ruder world. Some random thoughts on spring, joy and harsh reality
Come, luscious spring, come with thy mossy roots, Thy weed-strown banks, young grass, and tender shoots Of woods newly-plashed, sweet smells of opening blooms, Sweet sunny mornings, and right glorious dooms Of happiness, to seek and harbour in, Far from … Continue reading
Sacrifice
Tonight could be emotional. I grab a handful of tissues, stuff them in my bag. Braving twenty-seven sets of traffic lights, we drive into Liverpool. Stow our car in the warm space beneath the circular cathedral. Choose seats on one … Continue reading
MEMOIRS OF A HUSK 