Colin J. Anderson
Thoughts From A Devon Sitting Room
Recording my life in diaries and photographs, from heady days as a student in London in the 1970’s to being a pensioner on a low income today. These blog posts are a mixture of insight – from knowledge & experience – and history. They explore my interests – energy & climate change, history, politics, music, film, food & drink.
50 Years of Photos No.5: Snow Train
1980: Newton Abbot railway station under snow and fog.
From my Substack page. Follow the link below to see all ‘Morning Thoughts’ entries under the menu item ‘Notes’.
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Morning Thoughts From A Devon Sitting Room No.58: Thoughts!
Saturday, 31st. January 2026
It would appear that I am not in much of a thinking mode this morning. I feel cold, which is hardly surprising as the temperature is about 14 degrees around the home – and 13 degrees in the sitting room. There are breaks in cloud cover allowing us to peek at patches of blue, but no sun and therefore no solar gain – yet.
I find myself one moment staring out of the window over my front garden to the bungalows beyond and the patches of blue, and the next moment staring at my small library straight ahead of me, as if inspiration will somehow leak invisibly from the books and perhaps use some medium such as the ether or dark matter to transport thoughts directly into my brain. Can you have dark matter in a sitting room? I might look into that, but I suspect the answer will be, at best, we don’t know.
So there you are. Thoughts of a kind, arising out of a mind that, ten minutes ago, I thought to be devoid of thoughts. What do you call that? A constellation of thoughts?
Click on the headings below to scroll down to each theme
Recent posts
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Newton Abbot in Old Pictures: The Globe Hotel in 1981
Of the two main hotels in the town the Globe was always regarded to be the best; the other – the Queens Hotel opposite the railway station – was also good but not quite up to the standard of the Globe. I remember the ballroom being quite impressive. Much of the hotel now forms part
So who is Colin Anderson?
A Devonian with stories to tell and a love of history, science, philosophy, environment, & entertainment.
An increasing number of people I know are either down the rabbit hole or caught in its event horizon, which I find distressing. I prefer the real world and, like a frantic sponge, I cannot help but soak up knowledge, insight & quality.
Which I like to share…
London & LSE Diary
My LSE Diary posts from the 1970’s, plus 30 years living in London, life on a south London council estate… and more! A sample of recent posts below.
Newton Abbot & Devon
My home town through the years, Devon & Dartmoor, history & geography.
Music
Mainly music – recorded and live – but also film & television. Recent posts below.
Photography
A small selection of themed photography pages
Food!
Garden flowers
Shadow & Light
Thinking & Insights
Every morning I sit down with a cappuccino and write what I am thinking and feeling. My morning thoughts are often dull and prosaic but sometimes – and unpredictably – can be of some consequence.
Recent posts
Home & Garden
Everything from saving energy to gardening, interior design to lighting. A selection of recent posts below.
Colin Anderson 