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

When is a friend not a friend?

Wednesday, 30th. September 2026

This morning I find myself thinking about a friend who no longer seems like a friend. Almost every time we meet an unpleasant and quite frightening creature emerges from the dark shallows, creating in me a sense of anxiety and dread. My response is to ignore it as best I can hoping it will descend into the swamp to be momentarily unseen. This is not good. I have resolved to tell this ‘friend’ that I find our encounters distressing and unpleasant, but I have no idea how to do this.
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Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot in Old Pictures No.6: Demolition of the Royal Mail Sorting Office, 2005

19 Sep 2026

Newton Abbot July 2005 and the ‘modern’ sorting office is demolished to make way for Asda. Progress?
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LSE Diary, Music

My Groovy 45’s No.5: Stagger Lee by Wilson Pickett

Stagger Lee by Wilson Pickett: this should be a movie: a man takes another man’s stetson hat and is shot dead. True story from 1895 and a great song recorded so many times by artists from Taj Mahal to Neil Diamond. I own 5 versions that I know of!
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1976: Homeless in London, LSE Diary

Told my story in court; sympathetic Judge wanted action; brief optimism

16 Sep 2026

Homeless in London part 5: 26th. April 1976. Today I felt temporary relief as I was finally able to tell my story to a judge, who made a clear decision to find our landlord and bring her before the court. However, things did not go entirely according to plan.
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1976: Homeless in London, LSE Diary

Five days of hell: no home, no possessions, courts, police, heavies at the door – and a car chase

16 Sep 2026

Homeless in London part 4: 24th. April 1976. 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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Travel

Caracas: 38 years ago

5 Jul 2026

A few photos from a visit to Caracas in June 1988 – a city and a people that my partner and I loved from almost the moment we arrived, despite troubles at the border. I hope as many people as possible find their loved-ones in the devastation of the June 2026 earthquakes.
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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