Category Archives: Anecdotes

In 1994, I was looking for a marketing specialist for a two-week project. The agency sent me a few CVs and I selected one that I thought was a suitable candidate. His name was Scott Blatchley. We agreed a date … Continue reading →

When we moved to our present home in 2004, we got to know our new neighbours, one of whom was Peter Fletcher. A gentleman approaching his 80th birthday, living on his own, having lost his wife to whom he was … Continue reading →

In 1978, I was doing a Ph.D. in Electrical Metrology at the department of Electrical and Engineering and Electronics at UMIST (Manchester University) situated in the centre of the city. My supervisor was Dr John Rawcliffe. At the time his … Continue reading →

In the summer of 1972, we have just finished our ‘A’ level exams. Having worked hard, we – that is myself and my good friends Walid & Saad -thought that we would reward ourselves with a 3-week holiday to Europe. To keep … Continue reading →

When I was a young lad, I remember my older brother telling me about this English football team, which was involved in an air crash, resulting in the death of many people including players. He went on to tell me … Continue reading →

In 1973, while studying for my engineering degree at Manchester University, I rented a studio flat in a house that belonged to a certain John Cardin. I stayed in that flat for 7 years during which time, John and I … Continue reading →

Iraq is an amazing country. It is the cradle of civilisation. First, it was the Sumerians, who almost 6000 years ago, settled in the south of country and gave us writing, created the first cities and laid the foundations of science, … Continue reading →

One of my favourite authors is Bill Bryson. While I was reading his book ‘At Home’ describing how wealthy men in 18th century England were building themselves great mansion houses, I came across a certain William Beckford, who at the … Continue reading →