Author Archives: Robin

I smell a rat – well actually I don’t because I chose the final solution

I recently asked you, dear readers, about dealing with rats, having recently Tweeted about it. The viewings of the Tweet have increased since I last mentioned it but there has still not been one comment. Even you, dear readers, haven’t jumped in calling for the death penalty for rats or calling for mercy and expoundingContinue reading “I smell a rat – well actually I don’t because I chose the final solution”

Horace can be a bit of a bully boy but he knows when it’s time to stay still

One thing we have noticed about our friendly little hedgehog, Horace, that although he bumbles around looking for food he can be quite a little tough guy when he wants to be. It first came to light not long after we set the camera up. One night a hedgehog turned up only seconds after HoraceContinue reading “Horace can be a bit of a bully boy but he knows when it’s time to stay still”

A busy little hedgehog needs his entrances and his exits

One of the most important things you need if you want to make your garden hedgehog friendly is an easy route to get in and out. Hedgehogs can go a long way in a night, setting out at dusk and hoping to be home by dawn. They will sometimes follow a set route but willContinue reading “A busy little hedgehog needs his entrances and his exits”

Love them or hate them – surely everyone has an opinion on rats

About 10 days ago I put out a Tweet posing a question about dealing with pests – and I don’t mean Tories, trolls or other such annoyances. I get involved in various discussions on Twitter, some bring a friendly response while others bring down a tirade of self righteous anger no matter how bland theContinue reading “Love them or hate them – surely everyone has an opinion on rats”

Before we mothernaked fall

by Dylan Thomas Poem “Eleven” in Notebook “Started 23rd August 1933”; dated September 16, 1933 Before we mothernaked fall Upon the land of gold or oil Between the raid and the response Of flesh and bones Our claim is staked for one and all Near to the quarry or the well Before the promises fulfillContinue reading “Before we mothernaked fall”

Back to class for the fourth time

Unlike joining the staff at a local shop, where new assistants tend to pick it up as they go along, the workings at any Odeon cinema could not be passed along by the manager, who would be too busy running the show to teach a new assistant manager what’s what. Within a week of startingContinue reading “Back to class for the fourth time”

Caring for cinema connoisseurs as well as the dirty mac brigade

There were some real blockbuster movies playing in Odeon cinemas in 1975, when I first joined the Rank Organisation as an assistant manager early in that year. Mind you, there were some real stinkers as well. This was a time when many cinemas were being turned into multi-screen operations because the days of a fullContinue reading “Caring for cinema connoisseurs as well as the dirty mac brigade”

Dodgy lyrics or were these guys trying to play things straight?

I got into a discussion on Twitter the other day about lyrics from pop songs in the late 50s and the 60s. When it got around to lyrics that would be looked on in horror today (although some of the modern rap stuff is very close to the mark)someone referred to Young Girl by GaryContinue reading “Dodgy lyrics or were these guys trying to play things straight?”

Farewell Andy – now let’s get back to normal on our TV shows

I’m sorry that Andy Murray got knocked out at Wimbledon today (Friday, 7th July) and I am sure there are thousands of tennis fans who will be crying bucketfuls of tears as the British two-times champion at this London suburb an tennis court bows out half-way through the competition. Mind you he sometimes seems toContinue reading “Farewell Andy – now let’s get back to normal on our TV shows”