Author Archives: j futrell

when is a bookshop not a bookshop? when it’s in Hastings.

Posted on February 15, 2018 by j futrell

We hadn’t gone to Boulevard Books with a view to buying something to read. The thing is this secondhand bookshop in the centre of Hastings Old Town mutates into a Thai restaurant after dark and despite the walls in our … Continue reading →

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Vandals at work – the death of the bungalow

Posted on September 25, 2017 by j futrell

There soon won’t be any 1930s bungalows left. While conservation groups, local authorities and investors, watched closely by the likes of English Heritage, take pains to preserve ancient cottages as well as properties from the Victorian and Georgian eras anything … Continue reading →

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

Last Orders At The End Of The World

Posted on September 6, 2017 by j futrell

There’s nothing quite like the imminent end of the world to focus one’s thoughts on food. Long before Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump the father of a school friend of mine set aside a bedroom in the large detached family … Continue reading →

Posted in health, shopping | 2 Comments

A good day for Tilly

Posted on September 4, 2017 by j futrell

Little Tilly will never know how close she came to never enjoying another beach walk. Today, September 4, 2017, was to have been the Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s last. No more runs on Harbour Cove with Asta, her jaws clenched ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, gone west, Seashores, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Hello, I’m Seamus – give me your money

Posted on November 16, 2016 by j futrell

  I’m not unique. We’ve all been there. The phone rings and a voice introduces themself as Andy, or John: One insisted to me his name was Seamus without so much of a hint of an Irish accent; although perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in shopping, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Asta and Judgement Day

Posted on August 11, 2016 by j futrell

It’s generally inadvisable to loose temper with a man of the cloth. The ramifications could go on for, well, a very long time. Of course I knew of the local vicar, the one who oversees much of community life around … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Raise a glass to Gilbert, and Ronaldo

Posted on July 18, 2016 by j futrell

Watching the France versus Portugal final of the European Football Championships it occurred to me that my limited knowledge of that nation extends to fortified wine, pasteis de nata, and just one single person. I’ve travelled to the far west … Continue reading →

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Dancing to the tune of Clarks

Posted on July 1, 2016 by j futrell

I’ve just bought a pair of Clarks shoes. There, I thought I’d spit it out fast rather than get to the bald, some might say shocking truth via some prevaricating yarn. In fact, I’ll be more specific. They are Raspin … Continue reading →

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Sally Brampton

Posted on May 12, 2016 by j futrell

You don’t know how much someone means to you until – out of the blue – they’re not there anymore. I thought this while fighting back the tears when I learnt today of the death of Sally Brampton whom I … Continue reading →

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Gone Awall

Posted on March 31, 2016 by j futrell

I have built a wall. Alright, not a very big wall, about six foot long, two feet high and 18 inch deep, but a wall nonetheless; requiring sand and cement, shuttering, a spirit level, a trowel and back breaking application. … Continue reading →

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