Colin J. Anderson

Recording my life in diaries and photographs, from heady days as a student in London in the 1970’s via a career in housing, energy & climate change to a pensioner on a low income today. I am lucky to have a gained a great deal of knowledge, experience and insight – and I like to share!

Morning Thoughts From A Devon Sitting Room

Avoiding Alternative Realities

Thursday, 10th. September 2026

I feel refreshed, but then today is a shower day. Before retirement a morning shower was the norm, post retirement it is twice a week – a weekend day and a midweek day. Saves water, saves energy – saves money. Despite being mostly cloudy, including some pretty dark rainclouds, it is also sunny, at least for the time being. I can see from here that it is raining on Dartmoor and clouds are below the peaks of Haytor, Hound Tor and Saddle Tor. Will it rain here at just above sea level? Maybe, but for the time being it is very calm, with almost no breeze.
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Home & Garden

Ideal Home?

After nine years my home – a private-rented property – is finally meeting my needs. Which is very important when you spend so much time in it!
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London, LSE Diary

1976: Homeless in London – part 4

3 Aug 2026

Five days without a change of clothes, roaming the street for much of the day, visiting umpteen people and organisations that seemed powerless to help – and a car chase around Stoke Newington. Being homeless is painful, tiring, squalid and I felt very much alone.
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Food & drink

I need to consider buying an espresso machine: would I buy Sage again?

5 Jul 2026

I am not enjoying my morning cappuccino as much as I used to, which is a shame as it is one of the few luxuries I continue to enjoy in retirement. The problem is not my tastebuds but my espresso machine, which should have lasted longer than it has. A great deal longer.
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Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot in Old Pictures: Market Square in 1989

5 Jul 2026

A busy Market Square in September 1989. Far more stalls than you will ever see now! Do you recognise anyone in the pictures?
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Music

Of all the hugely underrated British music artists…

8 Jun 2026

I have enjoyed a great day of listening to music on my HiFi, mostly records but also a bit of streaming too. Whilst on a nostalgia streak I was reminded of the excellent and underrated Graham Parker.
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Music

My 45’s: Kansas City by Wilbert Harrison

7 Jun 2026

My second featured 45 from my collection is the first chart-topping version of a 1952 song written by Leiber & Stoller. Back in the days when R&B was raw and ballsy…
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50 YEARS OF PHOTOS

No.15: Moulin Rouge!

October 1990: A quiet afternoon on the Moulin Rouge set @ Hollywood. Rena feet-up on a bench outside! Picture taken with Canon 450D & scanned in RAW/HDR.

50 Years of Photos

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…

About me

My LSE Diary posts – reflecting life as a student in the 1970’s. I was at the Joint School of Geography – King’s College & the London School of Economics.

Not only that but also 30 years living in London – life on a south London council estate… and more!

LSE Diary

London

Recent music posts

Everything from saving energy to gardening, interior design to lighting. I love my home. Sometimes I will feature previous homes, including my 10th. floor flat in a south London council block. You will find useful tips and advice. I love my home!

Home & Garden