Overheard on a trip to the UK February 2020
On a train to Liverpool St. (two women talking):
‘Two miles. That’d be like mine to Tesco’s.’
(describing a mobile phone) ‘Not like that farty little thing of mum’s.’
At Clapham Junction station:
‘…I went to Slough today to get a seal for my oven door, and they were all in Sainsbury’s. Slough’s over-run with them.’
In a Brighton pub:
‘Who?’
‘Kenneth Branagh!’
‘What, the actor?’
On a bus:
‘Even when I’m on a diet, Wednesday night is curry night … and Friday night is pub night.’
On a Wimbledon-bound train:
‘That’s why he is where he is today.’
‘What?’
‘Living by himself in Colliers Wood.’
On a bus:
‘It was the best Scotch egg I’ve ever had … I couldn’t finish it.’
At Stansted Airport:
‘I’m with Diabetes UK now.’
‘I thought you were with RN…?’
‘RNIB? Yes, I was, until November. Then I joined Diabetes UK. I’m with the major donors team. Lots of untapped sources. Lots of wealthy people with diabetes. I’m very excited.’
The problem of keeping a sense of perspective in life …
On the one hand:
‘… birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it’s night once more.’ Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot.
On the other:
‘Trousers should shiver on the shoe but not break.’ Advice to Arnold Bennett from his tailor.
Miscellaneous quotes that will need sorting out at some stage
‘Sir Jasper Finch-Farrowmere?’ said Wilfred.
‘ffinch-ffarrowmere,’ corrected the visitor, his sensitive ear detecting the capitals.
P.G. Wodehouse Meet Mr Mulliner (1927)
‘Surely: the adverb of a man without an argument.’
Edward St Aubyn, Bad News
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