Author Archives: j futrell

Say AAAAARGH

Posted on September 29, 2026 by j futrell

Blog – Hospital August 2026 My abiding memory of a recent five night stay in hospital was of George wanting to die. I lost count of the times he said as much, nearly always while speaking with a member of … Continue reading →

Posted in health | Leave a comment

MISSING ASTA

Posted on June 23, 2026 by j futrell

Some images you don’t forget. Like the look in her eyes as she sank reluctantly, her legs splayed, on to her bed. Her expression somewhere between bewilderment, affection and determination, perhaps trusting that whatever was happening to her with those … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

FIVE STARS – i think

Posted on May 1, 2026 by j futrell

After how many years, it’s a good few, I’m back reviewing again. Just as I was becoming accustomed to the idea that nobody gives a hoot what I think about any more I’m back in the driving seat of hyperbole … Continue reading →

Posted in London, media | Leave a comment

Kim In Form

Posted on April 27, 2026 by j futrell

spot Asta! text from May issue Seaford Scene When it comes to the spirit of the seaside Seaford’s Coastal Collective has it – in artistic buckets and spades! The group’s latest show Form & Figure at Seaford’s Crypt Gallery May … Continue reading →

Posted in media, Seashores, shopping, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

She knows…

Posted on February 24, 2026 by j futrell

    Asta may be getting on a bit (I regularly decline to reveal her age to commiserative dog walkers seduced by her looks and temperament, both of which remain sublime, on the grounds that it is impertinent to inquire … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

What Was That?

Posted on February 16, 2026 by j futrell

I am not a one for citing memorable quotations. Being something of literary philistine as a consequence of attending possibly the most backward, ill-equipped and under achieving private school to have ever undermined the education of west London boys I … Continue reading →

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smells like we’ve all all been here before – maybe.

Posted on November 3, 2025 by j futrell

All of it seems so, well familiar. I barely make a turn without knowing, or think I know that I’ve been there before even though in all probability I haven’t. Or there is the possibility that I have. Could it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, Seashores, travel | Leave a comment

money money money

Posted on May 6, 2025 by j futrell

I have history with retail sales, little of which is any good. I was ruminating upon my experiences of sale shopping whilst at the back of a queue for a Margaret Howell sample free-for-all outside a handsome red stone building … Continue reading →

Posted in shopping, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Anybody Need A Fix?

Posted on January 27, 2025 by j futrell

To tell the truth, I need to brush up on my lying. But more of that later. In the meantime or because just when I feared all was lost I discovered four maybe five years ago a glimmer of light … Continue reading →

Posted in media, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The saddest dog

Posted on September 9, 2024 by j futrell

This began some weeks ago as a sort of tribute to the saddest dog I’ve ever known. A dog with a quality of life many  less fortunate creatures could only dream of. Yet despite everything he seemed forever glum, his … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, gone west, Uncategorized | Leave a comment