Author Archives: rpg

About rpg

Scientist, poet, gadfly

Opportunities

Posted on 29 February 2024 by rpg

It’s a horrible word, redundant. ‘No longer needed or useful; superfluous’. I don’t feel superfluous, but have to admit to feeling a little less than useful. Some people have been very kind, noting my efforts to continue to support my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Games Without Frontiers

Posted on 25 February 2024 by rpg

My enthusiasm for sport has always surpassed my ability. Except for soccer. At school, me and John Grant would always play in defence and hope the ball never came our way. I still don’t see the point of that one. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, Joshua, offspring, proud dad, rugby, swimming | Comments Off on Games Without Frontiers

Family Tree

Posted on 18 February 2024 by rpg

We’re blessed to have a larger-than-usual garden (for these parts). Legend has it that when they built this development at the arse-end of the 1980s, what-was-to-become our plot was down for 2 (or even 3) houses, but they didn’t get … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Heart of Glass

Posted on 11 February 2024 by rpg

Had I not been out the front of the house, watching Joshua earning some pocket money by washing the car,  I’d probably have sent the milk round sales droid on his way. But I was, and we talked, and seduced … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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A Place Called England

Posted on 4 February 2024 by rpg

I planted snowdrops in the green in the woods last Sunday morning, and this Saturday when we visited they were already demurely in bloom. We usually get one crazy forerunner between Christmas and New Year in our garden, but it’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, asparagus, Gardening, nature, snowdrops | Comments Off on A Place Called England

Distant Sun

Posted on 28 January 2024 by rpg

Solar is never going to meet all our energy needs, especially not at these latitudes. But even though the one aspect of our roof that is completely covered in solar panels faces west, we still generate significant amounts of electricity. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, home, Nonsense, solar, wibbling | Comments Off on Distant Sun

Shelter from the storm

Posted on 21 January 2024 by rpg

There’s another storm blowing in, the milder weather pushed before it melting the ice that has gripped Gravesend for the last 4 or 5 days. Rhea has joined the new girls inside the coop for the night, but Arty and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, eggs, hens, personal, weather | Comments Off on Shelter from the storm

Don’t let me be misunderstood

Posted on 14 January 2024 by rpg

Watling Street services, just off the A2, is my local petrol station. You might stop there as you head east from the M25 towards the North Kent coast. It’s cheaper than any of the places further out, and has a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Waiting for the miracle

Posted on 9 January 2024 by rpg

The thermometer has been stuck between 1ºC and 4ºC for about three days. The hens are huddling together in the coop, rather than sleep alfresco on their favourite perch. Only one of them has been laying since the solstice, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, personal, potatoes, snowdrops | Comments Off on Waiting for the miracle

One piece at a time

Posted on 3 January 2024 by rpg

While we’re on the subject of failure, there were a lot of bits of broken tree around the neighbourhood today. And Jenny was greeted by this somewhat alarming sight on the school run this morning. No, not the still-small-but-rapidly-growing boy, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, Don't try this at home, nature | Comments Off on One piece at a time