Archive for the ‘My life & thoughts’ Category
Do you think I look like Jeff Tracy?
June 29th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
I was at a social event this evening (listening to “The Paramount Blues Band”) where someone (actually a member of the band) said that I looked like the leader of the Thunderbirds, a one-time puppet series for children on British television. I can’t see it. Can you? Check here.
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OMG – today I’m officially an old age pensioner
June 25th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
It’s my birthday today and I’m 65, so I start to receive a state pension. I’d like to feel that I’ve used my time so far quite well, but you can check out a brief biography here. Certainly I think that those of us in our sixties in Britain can feel fortunate as I’ve explained […]
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A day for two dads and one granddad
June 16th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Here in the UK, it’s been Father’s Day and Vee and I had lunch with our son Richard and granddaugter Catrin. Catrin had already given her daddy a card at home and, in the restaurant, I received cards from both Richard and Catrin (“Happy Father’s Day to a very special Grandad”). Catrin was in great […]
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A chance to play the piano in public
June 15th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
As a Londoner, I use St Pancras railway station quite a lot. These days, it is a terrific venue with a central concourse full of shops and cafes. Also located in the concourse are a couple of pianos that can be used by anyone at any time. I think that this is a great idea […]
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A welcome birthday present and a very sobering conversation
June 14th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Later this month, I’m 65 (I know – I don’t look old enough!). As a result. the National Health Service invited me to a screening for something called abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) which is a weakening of the main blood vessel that supplies blood to your body. The appointment was this morning. Not surprisingly for […]
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Sunshine arrives in London – at long last
May 26th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Today was a brilliant day. After a spring which is set to prove the coldest since 1979, we had glorious weather today. Our Chinese ‘family’ – Zhihao, Hua and their six old son Joshua – visited us in London. First, we had lunch in our favourite local cafe: “The Doll’s House” at Harrow-on-the Hill where […]
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If you were faced with an armed terrorist, what would you do?
May 25th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Would you attempt to flee the scene or would you walk up to the terrorist and engage him in conversation? Here in my home city of London, this week two Muslim fundamentalists hacked to death a soldier in broad daylight as he walked in a street in Woolwich. One remarkable woman, named Ingrid Loyau-Kennet, approached […]
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My introduction to e-government services
May 23rd, 2013 by Roger Darlington
One of the huge potential benefits of widespread Internet connectivity and digital literacy is the development of online government services at both national and local level. Although I have been using the Net for 18 years now, it was not until very recently that I have entered the world of e-government services. I imagine that, […]
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Practical advice at my local station on the London Underground
May 22nd, 2013 by Roger Darlington
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More time with American friends in Dover
May 19th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Two years ago, Vee and I drove down to Dover for the weekend to spend some time with our close American friends Mike and Laura Grace who had crossed the Atlantic on the “Celebrity Constellation” and docked in the port for a few hours. You can read my blog posting on the occasion here. One […]
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