15 Comments
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Ali Lawrence's avatar

Loved this one! Norrie was an enigma who clearly made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Xx

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George Mahood's avatar

He sure did. I don't think this will be the end of the story.

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Miriam Ross's avatar

Love this G. And am now going to reread Free Country again as you’ve reminded me how much I loved it!

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George Mahood's avatar

I'm tempted to read it too, although I think it would make me cringe too much.

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Ali Dolphin's avatar

What a fabulous tale well told. Thank you.

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George Mahood's avatar

I'm sure there will be further Norrie stories to come. 🤔

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Barbara Hibberd's avatar

That is so interesting! Thank you for sharing. It reminded me about a man we met in a bar (somewhere in the world but I can’t remember where) who told us that he travelled the world for free by air because he had been a hero on a flight and saved all the passengers. I wish I could remember his name and where we were. He was very entertaining but we decided he just had a vivid imagination! Keep writing George! ❤️

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George Mahood's avatar

I love that Barbara. Imagine if it was true. He probably just spent his life flying around the world for free telling people how he spent his life flying around the world for free.

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Jo Linney's avatar

What a shame Substack wasn’t around in Norrie’s day 😘

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George Mahood's avatar

Oh yes. I would definitely have been a subscriber! I found one of his letters yesterday. It's very hard to decipher his handwriting.

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Lori Robson's avatar

I think you have mastered a wonderful tribute to Norrie....the legend, even if it was only in his own mind. For whatever reasons, you will probably never know.

And, I am sorry, but. you got to the part where you are passing gas, and I had to wipe my eyes because I was laughing so hard. Your insertion of humor is classic and masterful!!!!

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George Mahood's avatar

When I reread that section back, I'm not sure I actually did that fart justice with the writing. Ben and I talked about it for years afterwards. I've never come close to replicating it. 🤣

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Francis F's avatar

Love this post so much, thank you for sharing it, George! I'm currently listening to Free Country on audio, it's so funny! I've asked my dad if he recognises Norrie's name, since he grew up in the Notting Hill area and might have, ahem, hung around in those kinds of circles in his youth. But he doesn't!

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George Mahood's avatar

haha, sounds like I might have to do a story about your dad next! 😂

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Francis F's avatar

I was thinking the same thing 😂

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