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!
Another fine late-summer day and another indoors. Today I am waiting for a Miele engineer to service my washing machine. My income does not cover the cost so the £135 bill will be paid from savings, but that is considerably less than I would have to pay for a new washing machine. I am so glad I planned for retirement by buying everything I would need whilst still working, with a strong focus on quality.
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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!
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.
#4 in my series of Groovy 45’s from what remains of my DJ singles collection from the 1970s and early 1980s. This would get them on the dance floor!
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.
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.
I have many memories of Newton Abbot bus station spread over some decades and, like many townspeople over a certain age I still regret its passing.
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.
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…
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!
My home town in Devon since 1956! Many of these blog posts will be featuring Newton Abbot through the years but some will also be from around Devon.
I love music – especially live – and tend to home in on bass, although I also like ambient music which is generally bass-light. Blues, reggae, jazz, funk, soul have been a constant thread throughout my life but you will also find me writing about prog rock, punk and other styles too.
Pictured left: a snap I took at an Ashburton Blues event 2025 – The Robert West Band
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!
Colin Anderson 