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 (193/0)
Omar's Diary to 26th November 2023
What with the onset of the winter Man Servant and I have had plenty of time at the weekends to catch up with the Sunday newspapers. Sadly, I cannot claim that they are what used to be called “broadsheets” such as The Sunday Times and The Observer used to be. They have all converted to tabloid. Such a downgrade of quality.
By Alan Russell2 days ago in Journal
22nd November 1963
For those of us of a certain age events in Dallas sixty years ago today are marked indelibly on our memories. Time may have embellished or diminished those memories but those of us who experienced that moment in history can all remember where we were, who we were with and what we were doing. Not for at least another generation would there be such a scarring of both individual and collective memories as when the Twin Towers and The Pentagon were attacked on 11th September 2001.
By Alan Russell7 days ago in Journal
Omar's Diary to 31st October 2023
The Servants returned from a brief sojourn to somewhere called Abingdon on the River Thames in Oxfordshire. It was where William the Conqueror stayed for an Easter break in 1084 away from building castles, suppressing the locals and inextricably linking these islands to Europe, again.
By Alan Russell27 days ago in Journal
Le Signore Cafe and Snack Bar
When I was planning a walk from Green Street near Marble Arch to Somerset House overlooking the Thames I included Buckingham Palace. The reason for this particular walk was to follow in the steps of James Bond, the legend, and Ian Fleming his creator. About a month before the walk took place I wrote to the Palace and asked if it would be possible during the walk to pop in for a bacon roll and a cuppa tea. I emphasised that we would bring these along. I even used my best Croxley script stationery.
By Alan Russellabout a month ago in Wander
Rottingdean - Part 3 of 3
Only a few steps from the car park where, I had my usual chat with the parking warden, is Rottingdean’s only hotel overlooking the ocean. I had walked past it several times during previous visits to the town but never ventured in. It looked tired but I decided that on this one day I would check it out for lunch and as a place to stay during our next visit.
By Alan Russellabout a month ago in Journal
Rottingdean - Part 2 of 3
“I could go at any moment…boof…out like a light.” From the desk I had found in the library at Rottingdean in Sussex I was able to look out on to a small mature garden that I knew from reading the small signs on the way in had been laid out as it was today over one hundred years ago. This was on a late spring day when the sun was shining illuminating all of the fresh blooming flowers who were frequent hosts to bees flitting from one pollen source to another like junk food addicts visiting fast food outlets.
By Alan Russellabout a month ago in Journal
Rottingdean - Part 1 of 3
The Town Rottingdean is one of those grossly understated seaside villages like many others dotted around Britain’s coastline. It is especially understated when compared to the garish commercialism of Brighton only five miles away to the west. Or, based on my one visit on a miserable afternoon the bleak abandonment of the seafront at Newhaven. Rottingdean’s only concessions to tourism are one main hotel overlooking the English Channel and a few kiosk type shops and cafes near the beach. The rest of the village wouldn’t be out of place in the landlocked rural areas of any county in the country.
By Alan Russellabout a month ago in Journal
Omar's Diary to 18th October 2023
On Saturday 14th October the Servants and I were able to catch some of the coverage of The Dewhurst meeting from Newmarket. What a race The Dewhurst Stakes turned out to be. It was only over seven furlongs but by the time the pack had entered the fifth the race was over. That was when City of Troy was eased into the front. A colt not normally suited to anything but good going lengthened with only the slightest of urgings from the jockey who didn't have to draw his whip let alone use it.
By Alan Russellabout a month ago in Journal
Omar's Diary to 7th October 23
Let me get some bad news out of the way. Last week I listed four selections from fifteen runners in the Prix d L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris. I am afraid to admit, but never afraid of honesty, that none of them obliged. Litter tray method, pin sticking or even a serious and considered study of form, going, distance and direction of course brought us all up very short of expectations. Needless to say, Ticker has done very well out of the residents here at Omar Towers. I doubt we will see as much as a greetings card or, a pack of Dreamies from him during the annual festivities that start in about twelve weeks.
By Alan Russell2 months ago in Journal
Omar's Diary to the end of September 2023 (nearly)
Once again things have been quite hectic here at Omar Towers over the last six months. But, now as we slip into the season of mellow fruitfulness, a time of ripening and falling fruit, when the evenings draw in, the temperature drops and the sun lingers longer on the western horizon there is time to catch up.
By Alan Russell2 months ago in Journal
Reaffirming my belief framework
Despite all of my best intentions the following words will most likely be read by others who have very similar belief frameworks to me rather than those holding contrary ones but there is always hope. Beliefs about what is right and what is wrong in not only in British society but what is believed to be right or wrong in other societies across the world.
By Alan Russell8 months ago in Journal
