Author Archives: Richard Grainger

THE SILLY SEASON

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Richard Grainger

It’s that time of year again: the Silly Season. It’s an annual affliction endured by most countries, manifested in very different ways. Take, for example, where I am — Marbella. We’re in the middle of a week-long fiesta called La … Continue reading →

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QUESTION(S): ‘MORE ARE PUBLISHED THAN COULD EVER SUCCEED’: ARE THERE TOO MANY BOOKS? DOES THE WORLD NEED ANOTHER ONE?

Posted on June 4, 2026 by Richard Grainger

I’m back in Marbella. Last week, somebody flicked a switch and it’s gone from winter to summer quicker than a Spaniard can light one cigarette from the butt of his last one. It’s bloody hot. And before you can say, … Continue reading →

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I’M GOING HOME I’VE DONE MY TIME

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 3 photos.

I’ve just survived two weeks in my wife’s delightful home town, Grodków, located in the Silesian Lowlands of the Oder basin, the administrative seat of Gmina Grodków. If you’re a regular reader of my (somewhat irregular) blogs, then you will … Continue reading →

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DOCTOR! DOCTOR! CAN’T YOU SEE I’M… FAKING?

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Chic@s, having recently given you the glad tidings that March had seen me restored to hearty good health, the cool winds of April have blown in with a viral infestation of unmitigated malice. What, Man Flu yet again, I hear … Continue reading →

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SCHOOL REUNIONS — A COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN?

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Richard Grainger

I’ve not blogged for a while… in fact, here we are, gone St. Patrick’s Day, and this is my first blog of ’26. Unfortunately, this isn’t because I have found a way to hibernate between the beginning of December (or … Continue reading →

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NOT A FOOT TO SPARE?

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Richard Grainger

Amig@s! I’ve not blogged for a while, the reason being that I’ve been in residence in my wife’s delightful home town of Grodków where NASA send astronauts to adjust to life in an atmosphere free environment, and wherein I only … Continue reading →

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The Importance Of Looking Happy

Posted on October 24, 2025 by Richard Grainger

My name is Eliza Anne Thomson. I am eight and three quarter years old. I have a dog called Amber, a cat named Bono, and a mum that I wish was someone else’s. We are standing in the car park … Continue reading →

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CHOCOLATE

Posted on September 16, 2025 by Richard Grainger

I’ve not blogged for a while, because I’ve been busy finishing Sand in Strange Places — An Irish Memoir, now with my editor. If any of you good people… and some of you being previously kind commentators, should wish to … Continue reading →

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IF YOU KNOW ME: THE NEW POPE AND A LATTER-DAY BURNING AMBITION

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Richard Grainger

This gallery contains 1 photo.

I’ve not blogged for a while – other than rugby stuff – and that’s because I’ve been in what could generally be described as a “damned bad mood”. And as a result of said “damned bad mood” (DBM) I haven’t … Continue reading →

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WILL THE LIONS ROAR DOWN UNDER?

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Richard Grainger

A lot of people have asked me what my take is on the British & Irish Lions selection. And that, I’ll admit, is not because I could be classed as an expert, but perhaps rather more to do with the … Continue reading →

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