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 (244)
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Omar's Diary to 20th December 2023
Since my last diary, 26th November 2023 passim, the rhythm of life here at Omar Towers has been somewhat distracted. Most recently Man Servant has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This came as quite a shock to everyone here and to family and friends as this news spread. Needless to say, there have been some very down days but those downs have been ameliorated as he has undergone various tests and scans. All of these so far have confirmed it has not spread from where it should be and will be manageable with regular check-ups, no play on words intended, and medications. He was at the hospital yesterday for a procedure to obtain some samples and once they have been cultured for a few weeks we will know if it is an aggressive form of cancer or not. Hopefully that is the last procedure he will have the indignity of undergoing for quite a while.
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Journal
Stirling Moss's Book of Motor Sport
I came across this book in our local book bank and couldn't resist bringing it home. My plan was to have a look through it and then return it to whence it came. That was nearly a year ago. Every time I think "It must go back" I flick through its aged pages and find another reason, or as my wife would say 'an excuse', to keep it for just a bit longer.
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Wheel
Let's Give Prostate Cancer the Two Fingers it Deserves
INTRODUCTION The following words in this article and any subsequent articles covering this subject are only a diary of my experiences with prostate cancer. It is a way of being open and honest about what is happening to me in an effort to prevent it happening to anyone else.
By Alan Russell2 years ago in Men
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 years 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 Russell2 years 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 Russell2 years 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 Russell2 years 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 Russell2 years 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 Russell2 years 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 Russell2 years 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 Russell2 years ago in Journal
