Richard Hernaman Allen
@rhernamanallen.bsky.social
Fortunate husband of 55 years, father of 2 amazing daughters, grandfather of two wonderful grandsons. Writer, mostly of detective stories. Former Commissioner of HM Customs & Excise. Born in the East Midlands, now a Londoner of 55 years.
"The Waterguard"'. A detective story combining the Cold War and UK Customs & Excise
December 6, 2025 at 5:45 PM
"The Waterguard"'. A detective story combining the Cold War and UK Customs & Excise
My mother was born on 1 December 1916, daughter of a former coal miner. She got a degree in Geography at Manchester University & taught at Loughborough High School for many years. She gave all her sons much love, some of it tough. I think about her every day & give thanks for what she gave me.
December 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
My mother was born on 1 December 1916, daughter of a former coal miner. She got a degree in Geography at Manchester University & taught at Loughborough High School for many years. She gave all her sons much love, some of it tough. I think about her every day & give thanks for what she gave me.
Amber says "Hi Victory"
November 27, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Amber says "Hi Victory"
Autumn leaves of the rhus cotinus (smoke tree)
November 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Autumn leaves of the rhus cotinus (smoke tree)
there's a world outside
my family come and go
but I remain safe
my family come and go
but I remain safe
October 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
there's a world outside
my family come and go
but I remain safe
my family come and go
but I remain safe
My father died on 21 September 1972. I still think of him every day. He was an erudite English teacher, a kind, generous, shy, decent man with a great love of music and English literature, inspiring my literary efforts. I am still sad that I didn't know him longer.
September 21, 2025 at 10:27 PM
My father died on 21 September 1972. I still think of him every day. He was an erudite English teacher, a kind, generous, shy, decent man with a great love of music and English literature, inspiring my literary efforts. I am still sad that I didn't know him longer.
Our 55th wedding anniversary. I still find it hard to believe my immense good fortune.
July 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Our 55th wedding anniversary. I still find it hard to believe my immense good fortune.
A warm, muggy, sunny run through the woods, on my hilly course. Too many friendly dogs wanted to run with me or play. One sat on a bench looking as though he was intending to stay all day. Some of the sheep were singing. Met my daughter going for a walk with as friend. Rhododendron flowers now gone.
June 13, 2025 at 10:33 AM
A warm, muggy, sunny run through the woods, on my hilly course. Too many friendly dogs wanted to run with me or play. One sat on a bench looking as though he was intending to stay all day. Some of the sheep were singing. Met my daughter going for a walk with as friend. Rhododendron flowers now gone.
A long run under grey skies (pity no rain). Paths are so hard and dry even in the heart of the wood. Saw my first green woodpecker for weeks. A very kind lady asked after my knee. I return, knackered but refreshed.
June 11, 2025 at 9:30 AM
A long run under grey skies (pity no rain). Paths are so hard and dry even in the heart of the wood. Saw my first green woodpecker for weeks. A very kind lady asked after my knee. I return, knackered but refreshed.
my daughter's photo of Egyptian geese on Flusher's Pond
June 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
my daughter's photo of Egyptian geese on Flusher's Pond
My long Wednesday run. Sunny but quite cool. Yesterday's inadequate rain left no trace in the woods. The foxgloves have been joined in flowering by brambles & purple dead nettles. Several of the sheep were in good voice. I met the same man & his dog three times in ten minutes.
June 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
My long Wednesday run. Sunny but quite cool. Yesterday's inadequate rain left no trace in the woods. The foxgloves have been joined in flowering by brambles & purple dead nettles. Several of the sheep were in good voice. I met the same man & his dog three times in ten minutes.
and many half marathons. I run in the local woods, a hilly course.
2 June. Sunny & warm. It always feels like hard work after the weekend. Met several friends & was overtaken by two other runners. Ground hard. Felt refreshed afterwards.
2 June. Sunny & warm. It always feels like hard work after the weekend. Met several friends & was overtaken by two other runners. Ground hard. Felt refreshed afterwards.
June 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
and many half marathons. I run in the local woods, a hilly course.
2 June. Sunny & warm. It always feels like hard work after the weekend. Met several friends & was overtaken by two other runners. Ground hard. Felt refreshed afterwards.
2 June. Sunny & warm. It always feels like hard work after the weekend. Met several friends & was overtaken by two other runners. Ground hard. Felt refreshed afterwards.
I have the same feelings for my cat Khan who died over 10 years ago. (Photo taken on the day he was put to sleep with incurable liver cancer, but still went into the garden for a last look over his domain)
May 28, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I have the same feelings for my cat Khan who died over 10 years ago. (Photo taken on the day he was put to sleep with incurable liver cancer, but still went into the garden for a last look over his domain)
a shy man, but with a wonderful sense of humour and a quiet integrity and humility. He gave me my love of writing, music and "dad jokes". But most of all, he gave me a love which I can still feel to this day.
(with my mother dressed for an Edwardian evening)
(with my mother dressed for an Edwardian evening)
May 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
a shy man, but with a wonderful sense of humour and a quiet integrity and humility. He gave me my love of writing, music and "dad jokes". But most of all, he gave me a love which I can still feel to this day.
(with my mother dressed for an Edwardian evening)
(with my mother dressed for an Edwardian evening)
The generosity and decency of former colleagues got me an undeserved CB. While not a monarchist, I along with my family, enjoy the pageantry. Yesterday celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Order of the Bath in Westminster Abbey (& the King & Prince of Wales turned up as well)
May 17, 2025 at 12:04 PM
The generosity and decency of former colleagues got me an undeserved CB. While not a monarchist, I along with my family, enjoy the pageantry. Yesterday celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Order of the Bath in Westminster Abbey (& the King & Prince of Wales turned up as well)
Raffy send best wishes to the fluffy princess
April 29, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Raffy send best wishes to the fluffy princess
Happy Easter Blueskyers
April 20, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Happy Easter Blueskyers
you need the real thing
April 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
you need the real thing
Today would have been my parent's 80th wedding anniversary. Married by Michael Ramsey (I think) later Archbishop of Canterbury in the Galilee Chapel of Durham cathedral. Sadly there are no photographs of the happy event.
April 3, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Today would have been my parent's 80th wedding anniversary. Married by Michael Ramsey (I think) later Archbishop of Canterbury in the Galilee Chapel of Durham cathedral. Sadly there are no photographs of the happy event.
Wood anemones in our local woods (After our move to Summer Time at the weekend, I ran an hour all early and caught them still napping)
March 31, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Wood anemones in our local woods (After our move to Summer Time at the weekend, I ran an hour all early and caught them still napping)
A briliant poem by Brian Bilston
February 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A briliant poem by Brian Bilston
This is Amber, my daughter's cat, who lives with us. She was found with her mother and sister in a black plastic sack in the middle of a roundabout in central London. She is wary of me, especially when I'm wearing black shoes.
February 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
This is Amber, my daughter's cat, who lives with us. She was found with her mother and sister in a black plastic sack in the middle of a roundabout in central London. She is wary of me, especially when I'm wearing black shoes.