Wednesday September 16th Simple food done right Garden centres are often very good at this sort of thing. I used to think they’d be like little Little Chefs circa 1982 but far from it. And, frankly, there’s something rather reassuring about that. Caulders in Cupar fits the bill nicely. Decent, solid food, with not much… Continue reading Scran and Tell – Caulders Garden Centre
Stories
Scran and Tell – Cǒte Brasserie, Edinburgh
Monday September 14th Côte Brasserie, Edinburgh: Perfectly competent, if not quite a cause for celebration I generally approach chains with the enthusiasm of someone peeling back the foil on an economy class dinner: expectations are modest, and experience suggests they’re usually right to be. That said, Côte on a quiet Monday after the festival made… Continue reading Scran and Tell – Cǒte Brasserie, Edinburgh
Up, up and away
If I could avoid flying I would. But sometimes there was just no avoiding it. And as I board the 737, my anxiety is already beginning to rise. It’s a cool August morning and in just over 3 hours, I’ll be stepping on to the hot tarmac at Rhodes Airport. The plane’s beginning to fill up with excited… Continue reading Up, up and away
Shattered Illusion
“Check in on your dad while I’m away love, can you?” Mum asked. “You know what he’s like… barely knows where the kettle is these days? Changed days from when you were little.” “Yeah, ok. I’m catching up with Finty on Wednesday and I can wander round after.” I paused to sip my tea. “Might even cook him dinner”. I… Continue reading Shattered Illusion
Disquieting Decibels: The Agony of Annoying Sounds
This is a very different story for me. It’s non-fiction rather than fiction, but I’ve written non-fiction before. This is a personal account of a disorder that affects me, and I have, up until now, kept pretty quiet about. Only a handful of people know this about me. Now, we all have sounds we can’t bear – be… Continue reading Disquieting Decibels: The Agony of Annoying Sounds
In 52 years, what have I learned?
I meant to write this for my 50th – a list of stuff I’ve learned/realised/found important during my half century on the planet. But for whatever reason I didn’t. So now, 2 years on as I approach 52, I’m finally getting round to it – well, got to achieve something during lockdown other than attaining… Continue reading In 52 years, what have I learned?
Let’s behave…otherwise it’s going to be Covid 20
I’ve been a good girl and I’ve followed the rules since the beginning of this utter shit show. I’ve not had people in our home unless we’re allowed. I socially distance at the supermarket even though most people seem to think it’s OK to barge in front of me when I’m standing in front of… Continue reading Let’s behave…otherwise it’s going to be Covid 20
The Magical Place
Someone, and I can’t remember who, once said 'Home is where you pay tax’. If that’s the case, then home, for me, is Australia. I’ve been here for 20 years so that’s 20 years as being a 'resident for tax purposes.' I lived in Scotland for 29 and a half years and paid tax for… Continue reading The Magical Place
A Chance Meeting
I’ve never understood why the majority of hotel bars are so soulless. Occasionally, you’ll find one that’s inviting – Sydney’s Zeta Bar would be a great example. But they’re invariably devoid of any atmosphere, sparsely furnished and what furniture there is went out of fashion last century. Unfortunately, the bar at The Manor Hotel in… Continue reading A Chance Meeting
The Boss
It was official: I hated my job. To be more accurate, I hated my boss, Tammy. And, more to the point, she hated me. I was a Brand Manager working for a pharmaceutical company in Sydney and she hadn’t been with the company long. She’d transferred from our London office and had disliked me from… Continue reading The Boss
