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 (250)
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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
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 years 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 Russell3 years 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 Russell3 years ago in Journal
Omar's Diary for Wednesday 15th March 2023
Man Servant was recounting how several years ago before the Cheltenham Festival became as big an occasion as it is now he went there with a friend from the hotel he was working in at the time. He couldn't drive but his friend and a car and said she didn't mind. They had a good run from Maidenhead on a cold morning. Just outside Cheltenham they stopped at a viewpoint overlooking the town and got out of the car to enjoy it.
By Alan Russell3 years ago in Journal
Omar's Diary for Tuesday 14th March 2023
The seven races on today's programme are (with first place money in brackets) 1330 Skybet Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade 1) (£75,964) 1410 Sporting Life Arkle Challenge (Grade 1) (£98,473) 1450 Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (£70,338) 1530 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (£253,215) 1610 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Registered as The David Nicholson Hurdle Grade 1) (£72,024) 1650 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered as The Fred Winter Premier Handicap) (£45016) 1730 Well Child National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockey's Novices Chase (Grade 2) (£60,388)
By Alan Russell3 years ago in Journal
