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 (248)
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The Covid 19 Diaries
My COVID 19 Calendar 23rd March 2020 will be looked back on by historians studying Britain as one of the most significant days in Britain’s history. Not in the same way as 1st September 1939 when the country started to face the existential threat posed by the outbreak of World War II but as a day when the country had to finally face up to the reality of the COVID 19 virus. For these diaries 23rd March 2020 will be referred to as ‘Day 0’ and all references to the days before and following will be referred to as ‘Day - ‘ or ‘Day + ’ respectively.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Longevity
The Londoner's England
I must be honest. It took me a while to fully appreciate why this collection of pictures accompanied by short write ups on each has the title “The Londoner’s England” but I reached that conclusion; eventually. The book takes the reader to eighty-nine locations. Over half of them are in London and the remainder are in what are referred to as the “Home Counties”. That is those counties that border London or border counties that border London. The book was designed as a type of guide to locations accessible by Londoners by car, on public transport or on foot.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Families
One of London's Best Kept Secrets
My first visit to Shepherd Market took place in the mid 1970’s purely by accident. Our family had gone to London from the countryside to enjoy a celebratory breakfast at one of the smart hotels along Park Lane. Eggs Benedict, smoked salmon, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, toast, coffee, fresh linen and family all combined to make a meal to remember.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Wander
Che Guevara & Yorkshire Terriers
There were two anxieties that unnerved us at the place where we checked in for a long weekend. Not in a Norman Bates way as in Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller ‘Psycho’; thankfully. The first anxiety was the lady owner. We were confident she would not sneak into the place with a knife while one of us was having a shower or deliver “some milk and sandwiches” at the dead of night. She just gave off this air of knowing all our movements and appearing out of nowhere. The second anxiety was her Yorkshire terrier. Such a little thing with a face like a gremlin crossed with a Tasmanian devil and the attitude to match.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in The Swamp
Omar's Diary to 7th February 2020
During the last week of January my post prandial period of relaxation was interrupted in a most abrupt and disturbing fashion. Just as I was going into my light sleep there was a knock at the front door. I was unceremoniously bundled upstairs into a room that I had to share with Lady Servant and Mitzi. While there I heard the front door open, footsteps back and forth, some thudding sounds that came through the walls and “Left a bit, back…….to you….yeah, that’s it mate”.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Humans
Hungerford - I was just passing through
They looked like a small army of men walking the length of the car park at the railway station. All were carrying fishing rods, pulling trolleys carrying steel boxes and wearing different types of camouflage jackets and trousers. It was their casual uniformity that made me think loosely of an “army”. They were in a loose formation but purposefully all heading in one direction to a destination so far unknown to me. Possibly they were all getting on a train?
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Wander
Durlston Castle to Anvil Point Lighthouse
As the crow flies, or given the location, as the seagull flies, the distance from Durlston Castle to Anvil Point Lighthouse is about 1000 metres. Without any foreknowledge the walker can see the lighthouse from the castle and, as in my case, set off in high expectation of a reasonable walk.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Wander
Omar's Diary 20th January 2020
I must apologise as it has been over a month since I last updated everyone about life here at Omar Towers. Since then there has been a General Election (the less said about that the better), Christmas, New Year, rain and mysterious viruses afflicting the Servants.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Petlife
Dodgy algorithms and fascism
I have been on Facebook for six years. In that time, I have not stated that I am a supporter of the Conservative Party. The nearest I have got to expressing such support is when I have openly declared that I have agreed with what a Conservative Member of Parliament has said independent of the party line.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in The Swamp
Bryn Does a Photo Shoot. Top Story - December 2019.
The opportunity was too good to miss. A chance for Bryn and I to take part in a two hour photo shoot with professional equine photographers under the guidance of the renowned equine photographer, Emily Hancock from The Training Barn based here in Ringwood in Hampshire.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Petlife
Omar's Diary to 7th December 2019
In my previous diary (Omar’s Diary to 16th November 2019) I mentioned my concern that Man Servant was getting into a rut with his choice of newspaper. Leading up to that comment he had brought home The Times more than five times and I was worried his opinions were becoming set. I urged him to bring something different into the library here at Omar Towers.
By Alan Russell6 years ago in Petlife
