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Alan Russell
Bio
When you read my words they may not be perfect but I hope they:
1. Engage you
2. Entertain you
3. At least make you smile (Omar's Diaries) or
4. Think about this crazy world we live in and
5. Never accept anything at face value
Stories (210/0)
Omar's Diary to 31st October 2022
Words would fail me if I tried to tell you how absolutely thrilled I was to have won first prize with this photograph in a local village show. The brief in the show schedule was for a "Woodland Glade". I just wonder how many of the demographic of Burley village defined as "blue rinses" or "silver seniors" noticed the cheeky activity in the lower right-hand corner of the shot?
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Journal
Confossus in tergo (Ltn)
"do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12 12) Otherwise known as "The Golden Rule". Just in case any of you have been in the political and media equivalent of a Faraday cage since July 2022, here in the UK we now have a new Prime Minister. No, not the one who replaced Boris Johnson in September (Liz Truss) but another one (Rishi Sunak) who replaced her on 24th October 2022.
By Alan Russell2 years ago in The Swamp
The Elvetham Hotel, Fleet, Hampshire
Dates of stay - 26th September 2022 to 28th September 2022 What a fabulous building steeped in history dating back to the days of King Alfred and beyond. The surroundings are imbued with romance. This is where Henry VIII is said to have met and instantly fallen in love with Jane Seymour in the 1500's much to the annoyance of Anne Boleyn. And there is a nearby oak tree that Queen Elizabeth I planted nearly five centuries ago when she stayed at Elvetham. She was feted with great celebrations which I suspect may have been some inspiration for the opening chapter in Virginia Woolf's "Orlando".
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Wander
Omar's letter to Larry at Downing Street
Dear Larry My sincerest and heartfelt thoughts are with you as once again your place of residence, your very home at 10 Downing Street, is subject to great turmoil and media attention. The very place where character assassination seems to be a full time occupation rather than running the country. Has it been anything else since your current and soon to be gone itinerant servant moved in with you?
By Alan Russell2 years ago in The Swamp
Six spins on the road to victory Pt 1
"...it takes a lot more than deciding to be the last to hit the brakes going into a corner..." Sage words from a young racing driver in the spring of his career in the late 1960's to be heeded by anyone with aspirations of becoming a competitive driver in any of motor sports competitive disciplines.
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Wheel
Omar's Diary for May & June 2022
It is with heartfelt sadness that the Servants and I had to say "goodbye" to Mitzi during the first week of June. She had battled against the ravages of age that finally caught up with her in her eighteenth, as far as we can ascertain, year. In the end the Servants made what is often the hardest but always the kindest decision.
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Petlife
The Lancia Fulvia Coupe
When my wife and I were looking at the collection of vintage and not so vintage classic cars at a local village show we had a slight disagreement about which one to vote for as the best in show. There were a couple of Aston Martin Vanquish's (brash), a few cars from the MG range (small "c" conservative), some Austin 7's (honest), a couple of short wheel base Land Rovers (basic and reliable), a red Ford Mustang (very brash) and taking centre stage; an open top two seater Bentley (sporty and impractical for every day use).
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Wheel
Vodka and Red Bull before 0930
I was too early to check in at the Travelodge this morning but that didn't stop me from trying. Even after exercising my undying boyish charm and modesty at the reception desk I still could not get a room until mid-day. So, nothing else to do apart from heading to Bardo's Lounge on The Colonnade for breakfast.
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Journal