Week Thirty Seven - Showing your best side

Well it was all about The Ryder Cup last week and deservedly so.

After a spectacular year of showcasing Scotland (and its not over yet) we pulled it out the bag again last week.  Not only was the golf course and the scenery everything an international audience would expect of a quintessential Scottish view but the weather also came out to play.  A stunning weekend all round.

My week of Ryder Cup celebrations started with the Ryder Cup Gala Concert at The Hydro in Glasgow.  What a great event -  not quite what I thought it was going to be.  With the participation of many big name acts like Texas, Amy McDonald, Jake Bugg, Eddi Reader, Twin Atlantic etc as well as the National Opera, National Orchestra of Scotland and Scottish Ballet, I had believed that the event would be a bigger collaboration on each piece with all involved.  As it was each band continued to do their own set albeit with the backing of the Orchestra which must have been quite an experience for them and sounded spectacular for us.

The stand out performance (despite the fact I will always love Texas and go and see them live whenever I can) had to be Midge Ure backed by the National Orchestra of Scotland performing Vienna.  Unbelievable, booming, huge, impressive.

What was also interesting was how even this event is put on for the cameras.  During the referendum there was doubt created about what we see on the BBC News after the Nick Robinson incident whereby we were shown something different from reality.  At this event certain guests were asked to move seats at 'half time'.  The reason?  Well the great, the good and the famous had been at dinner during the first half (a shame for them as they missed some amazing acts) so to make the venue look full certain guests were asked to sit in different seats to make the place look busier for the cameras.

It does make you realise how much the media is manipulated to manipulate us.

Speaking of which I also had the delightful experience at the weekend of having a photo-shoot with Ian Docherty of Revolver Photography.  

Ian has a stunning portfolio of work - well he did until the weekend!! Its funny how nervous you can be about getting your photo taken and having yourself on show like that.  So it is more with hindsight that I say I enjoyed it.  Outfit changes, more make up than I've worn in a long time (not that you'd know it from the photos), posing, smiling naturally, trying not to squint in the sun.  Ian was very patient, knew exactly what I was after and had some good ideas of how to use my house and garden to get those shots.  It was Ian himself who kept the experience relaxed and good fun rather than a painful process which it can be for those of us who don't like having our pictures taken.

The Concierge website has been updated with one of the shots he took (www.theconcierge.org.uk), the rest are for another venture yet to be revealed and my favourite one is below for you all to tell me how amazing I look.

So now I can never again complain about nor pass judgement on manipulation of media - after all Ian and a spot of phot-shop have done an amazing job on me!!

You should take the time to look at his wider portfolio which is pretty dramatic and can be found at www.revolver.photography.  Or if you're 'down with the kids' then Ian often posts photographs to Instagram on revolvrphoto.

Whilst being manipulated by the media I...

...HUNG OUT AT...various locations with friends old and acquaintances new.  The great thing about setting up a new business in a completely different field is that you get out there and meet amazing people you would never otherwise have stumbled across.  One of my introductions this week was to Brenda Anderson who runs Tasting Scotland, a business specialising in bringing the best of Scottish food and drink to your plate and glass through a range of luxury escorted and self drive tours of Scotland.  Brenda was great to spend time with and hear 'lessons learned' from.  That is another thing I love about setting up your own business - likeminded people are all too keen to help in any way they can.  Tasting Scotland's range of tours can be found at www.tastingscotland.com.  I also had a good catch up with Lisa at Dear Green Coffee (www.deargreencoffee.com) - a lady and a business who are definitely on the up.  I always enjoy catching up with Lisa - we've had similar experiences (Aus, wine, WSET, great coffee) and with her energy and drive, I always leave feeling re-energised about what I'm doing.  And one of these days Lisa - I will own a La Marzocca!!...

...WINED ON...I'm loving trying wines from our 'discount supermarket' friends at the moment.  This time it was Lidl's Cepa Lebrel Joven 2013.  On a first tasting I didn't find it at all remarkable with no finish whatsoever.  This is unusual for me so I consulted the biodynamic calendar and sure enough it was a root day - never good for wine tasting.  I was never a believer in biodynamics until I started to notice the days I do and don't taste wine well and always take the time to check up on what type of day it is.  Needless to say Sunday was a fruit day (ideal for wine tasting) and so on a second try I can say that the Rioja was full of great aromas of blackberries, black cherries, vanilla.  And on the palette well it tasted as it smelled with the addition of some blackberry leaves and a hint of chocolate (which explains why I enjoyed the remnants of it with some Lindt chocolate!!).  At £4.99 a bottle in a world where the price of wine seems to be slowly but not subtly creeping up then this is great value for a wee quaff on a weekend in the house...

...DINED ON...well I finally ate in the Alston rather than just drink in it.  We had a beautiful meal from the early dining menu they have.  At £12 for two courses or £15 for three it was really great value.  Two of us had entrees (chicken liver pate with red onion marmalade; crayfish salad) which were both really tasty and exceptional sized portions.  We both followed this up with steak frites with garlic butter (the steak was cooked to perfection and the simplicity of the presentation and the food itself was refreshing).  The third in our party had chicken breast with ham and leek sauce which we were assured was full of flavour.  Then there was the deconstructed pear crumble.  The deconstructed nature did not go down that well at first but as soon as the spoon sunk in and the dessert hit her lips there was not a chance of either of us who were poised with spoons ready for a taste getting a look in.  All of this was washed down with a beautiful (though quite pricey) Pino Noir from Burgundy.  Lovely and like everyone else I know who has been, we will be back time and time again as the food, drink and service are all exceptional.

So until next time - have a good one.  G

Week Thirty Six - The "C" Word

CHRISTMAS!! 

It might not be upon is yet but as The Concierge it's my job to be ahead of the game.

And so to a shameless plug.

When it comes to buying presents for your nearest and dearest this year why not give the ultimate gift - the gift of time.  

I am delighted to announce that The Concierge now has gift vouchers available and with an extensive range of services available from running errands to  managing home improvements or researching bespoke holidays it really is the perfect gift for anyone who is short of time and could do with a little help to make life just a wee bit easier.

We have special introductory offers on our gift vouchers which you can find on the website (details below).

What about you? Do you need some help organising Christmas? The Concierge can help with everything from your festive food shop to researching, purchasing and even wrapping and delivering your gifts for you.  Perfect for anyone short of time, ideas or who lived elsewhere.

So whether you'd like to buy some time for yourself or as a gift for others why not get in touch via the website at www.theconcierge.org.uk, email: gillian@theconcierge.org.uk or by calling us on 07841 790 529.

Whilst continuing to develop The Concierge I...

...HUNG OUT AT...my beautiful nephew Matthew's 6th birthday party (6 yes thats right - can't believe it).  A lovely family party with a bouncy castle - of course I couldn't help myself but not advisable after a vino or two the night before.  Always great fun hanging out with Matthew, Christopher and their cousins.  Oh and as of an hour ago I also hung out with six firemen.  I'll not share the details but it really is not a fallacy that they are good looking boys.  Made my day - actually maybe my week - was just glad I'd bothered to put my face on this morning!!  Thank you to the incident causer for his part in making that happen.  Intrigued  - well its not my place to share what happened...

...WINED ON...Lidl v Aldi cava for an event The Concierge is organising.  A panel was assembled and we determined which of these was best.  The winner was Lidl (Aldi slightly tasteless and with less finesse in the bubbles which made it like lolly water). Lidl's Cava was delicate, slightly creamy and more flavoursome than Aldi's - citrus with hints of white peach.  And for £4.99 a bottle well worth grabbing one or two...

...DINED ON...a lovely meal at Carluccio's with some of my friends from Finance in CB.  It was great to get back together - not least as most at the table have moved on to new things and always great to hear what is going on in peoples lives.  Oh and then there was the banter that I've clearly lost my touch with - took me a minute to be back up there and punching my weight with the jovial quips and insults.  So less about the food (which was nice as always) and a whole lot more about the company.  Lou you were missed.

Look forward to catching up next week - in the meantime The Concierge hopes to hear from you soon (and lets not forget services can be rendered for overseas clients too - planning trips to Scotland, gift buying etc!!).

Have a good rest of week everyone.  G

Week Thirty Five - Thank You But Enough Now

This blog is a catalogue, nay diary, of my year ripening on the vine.  It continues to be so and whilst never intending to become particularly cerebral (as one of my friends recently called it) I can't help but continue to comment this week about the current political, social and economic turmoil that grips my home, my country.

To diarise my "ripening" is to catalogue the events I have become involved in and, other than my wine ventures earlier this year, the last few weeks has turned out to be the most unexpectedly engaging, enthralling and invigorating of my year so far.

Until three weeks ago I turned away from the media whenever they commented on or featured the discussions of Yes v No.  The Commonwealth Games were a welcome reprieve from all the political discussions which in no way interest me (not least because I don't really trust any of them - exceptions do obviously apply) and when they were over I was frustrated at the thought of the next few weeks being full of political rhetoric and soundbites.

But then something happened - the whole country became engaged in the discussion and the debate.  You couldn't go anywhere without it coming up and, given the company I keep, there was nothing more invigorating than standing out from the crowd and declaring yourself Yes.  Oh the quizzical looks, the blank expressions, the non-comprehension.

My point is not to cover the ground I covered last week.  Rather it is to say a big thank you to those who brought this referendum to the Scottish people; who made us sit up and think and engage and discuss and heatedly debate and question ourselves and demand more of our politicians.  It is true that the political landscape and the sense of citizenship in this country have changed forever.

I am truly grateful for everything around me having changed and forced me to really think about who I am and what I believe in.  And to develop the backbone to stand up for that when it is against the norm (I reckon the No campaign had to have specially made banners for the windows in the mansions of Alloway and Troon which otherwise would have been dwarfed by the sheer scale of the properties - I'm not having a go its just genuinely funny).

What worries me is that there are people out there who are following habit - who have not gone back to a neutral position and considered the information afresh - after all this is not a standard general election where we vote for who we, and sometimes our forefathers, always have - this is drawing adversaries together and bringing a different debate to the table.

But enough is also enough.  What concerns me even more is how, in the last few days, there has been a new fuel to the fire.  Whilst the two campaigns should be focused on convincing beyond doubt those who are yet to decide which way they will vote, the debate and discussion is being diverted to matters of entrenched divisiveness.  Certain factions on both sides are becoming so entrenched in their views that there is a negative side in all of this starting to rear its head.  Trying to out jeer each other, blocking other people from expressing their views, being activist on both sides of the debate.  

We are on the brink of one of the most significant times in modern history.  Our moment to make a choice and be accountable for it.  To tell the generations after us the part we played in this decision no matter which way it goes.  Something that is a part of the story of this country forever. 

So lets bear this in mind.  The world is watching.  Lets not 'lose the heid' but keep calm in these last few hours of campaigning.  If you've made up your mind one way or the other then it no doubt won't be changed so we should respect that in each other and not dig our heels in and make a show of ourselves.  We should have pride in the mature way in which this has all been handled to date and not lose it in the last day or so - not let our emotions run high and try and outdo each other or lose respect for each other.  Be a proud nation who will focus on helping those in our country who have not yet decided to make a decision rather than just digging in and spouting the same arguments they've heard time and time again.  

We need to respect the fact that for some people this is truly a terrifying decision that they will not make until they are at the ballot box.  I have heard stories of an elderly gentleman so afraid of what the banks said last week that he got on the bus and came into the city to try to get an answer as to whether he needed to take all his money out of the bank for it to be safe.  Rev Fraser Aitken of St Columba Church, Ayr (my favourite Church of Scotland Minister - well to be honest the only one who I look forward to going to hear) is opening his church doors on Thursday for quiet reflection and contemplation as well as three sets of prayers throughout the day.  We shouldn't lose sight that for some people this is an extremely hard decision and scary time.

We also shouldn't lose sight of the fact that Friday is a new dawn in our history whichever way the vote goes and; to quote all the other politicians out there; we as a nation have to come back together and get on with it.  I have no doubt we will, after all we're used to waking up in the dawn of defeat - we support Scottish football!!!  But I believe we are a proud nation and that whilst we all have our views and our votes, whichever way this goes, we will all come back together as citizens of a stronger country with a shared interest in making Scotland better.

So thank you to those who brought this to the table and in doing so energised my country to engage in wholesome and lively debate.  But enough now of expressing your views if you've already made up your mind.  Stop with the extremities for they only alienate your side of the debate from those who remain undecided and do your campaign; whether yes or no; damage.

Lets stop, use tomorrow to reflect and then vote on Thursday.  The time has come.  Its in our hands to determine where we go from here.

Whilst pre-occupied by the independence referendum coverage, I...

...HUNG OUT AT...Clydesdale Banks main banking hall in St Vincent Place on Friday night for the first performance by the staff choir brought together by my dear friend Lorna and featuring a number of my old colleagues and friends including Mr Phil Cordiner.  What an amazing performance in a stunning setting.  The only thing missing was Gareth Malone though Richard Mais did a good impression.  Full of talented individuals and the choir which is only six months old, this was a great night and I really look forward to the next performance - a Christmas concert perhaps??

...WINED ON...very little - a week of abstinence as it turns out (except the standout gins I shared with Alex and Erica)...

...DINED ON...mums home cooking - a wee weekend at mums saw me enjoy, amongst other things, her chicken cacciatore.  Yum.

Until I see you on the other side - have a great week and cast a conscious vote.

Week Thirty Four: The Lady Is Ready To Declare

I never intended to make public how I was going to vote in the impending referendum.  It was going to be something between me and the ballot box not least because why would I be so self indulgent to assume you'd be interested in reading where my head is at and why I am going to do what I'm going to do.

Three things have happened to change my mind on this:

1.  I have become really engaged in the conversation and debates on independence in the last couple of weeks.  I really enjoyed the break we had from all the campaigning during the Commonwealth Games and as soon as it started rearing its head again I resented it.  However, over the last few weeks I've watched the debates, listened to and read different programmes and articles on the subject etc and find myself now able to articulate the debate to friends overseas with a certain elegance and insightfulness.

2.  I feel every time I have been out in the last few weeks I have had to justify my position in discussions so I thought I'd put it on paper and that way I can just refer people to it!!

3.  This blog is partly intended as my diary to myself in years to come about how I spent 'that year' when I left my lifetime career to go on an adventure and try something new.  I can't catalogue my year and not refer to this given the enormity of the impact it will have on me, my friends and family, my suburb, my city and my country (whichever way it goes).

So here are some prepositioning comments before I declare my hand:

1.  With only a couple of exceptions I do not trust politicians especially those for whom it has been their career rather than their calling.  They spin, they duck and they dive and I'm never sure they're clear on what their drivers are (with the exception of their careers).  I actually believe for proper representation we should all be conscripted to parliament for a term in the same way we have to sit on juries but that's a point for another day.

2.  I don't know what party I want to be in government.  I'm not hard and fast in my political views especially as they all sort of meld in the middle somewhere, promise lots, deliver little, blame everyone else and then when they're in opposition blame the government for doing nothing - all very circular and not in a positive fashion.

3.  Regardless of which way any of us vote we'd all have to agree that this has been a great referendum.  I have never known engagement like it.  Every day, multiple times in the day we are all in conversation about the 'issues' on the table, the 'what if's'.  Not only are we talking about it but we actually are pretty informed.  Neither side may be giving the answers and we may not be clear about what is actually on offer but we are aware of the issues and we can talk to them - something I've never known in my lifetime.

So with all that in mind, what way am I going?  Well I am a firm YES voter....I know, I know I need to justify why (I have noted over the last few months that it is those who are voting YES who are held to account to justify that position rather than those who are NO).

So here is why:

1.  I want change.  I want something significantly different from what we have today and to do that we need a seismic shift, a new paradigm, a jolt out of complacency, a new outlook.  The only way I think that will happen is to vote YES (No suggests more of the same with maybe the leash let off a bit but at the end of the day you're master still controls you and can reel you back in at any point).

2.  I want democracy.  I don't think we have it today.  In fact I know (courtesy of a point proven by a recent blogger who finally got answers from all the parties and all the campaigns) that the way Scotland has voted in the last fifty years has not affected the outcome for who goes into power in Westminster.  Is that democracy?

3.  I want my vote to count as one in five million rather than one in sixty three million.

4.  I want a different kind of government and I think we can be positioned to have that.  This referendum has, as I say, got everyone engaged and I think that can be here to stay if we gain independence.  I think we'll step up to shape our nation not blame the state for the way things are.  We'll have taken a huge risk and, with that I think we'll take accountability for making sure we get a better country.  A different type of government where whoever is in power will be truly accountable to its citizens.  Novel!!!

5.  I want Scotland to believe in itself (that seismic shift again) and to be great.  It is amazing how many people are all about 'what does it mean for me', 'how will we survive without oil'.  Well maybe this time it is bigger than 'me'.  Maybe it is about turning 'me' on its head so 'we' create something amazing.  No more resting on our laurels.  No more pointing to Westminster or Holyrood for why things are the way they are.  We have to step up and make this country successful.  There are plenty of people out there who already are but I am also a great believer that necessity is the mother of all invention and that we can make something amazing out of what would no doubt be a shaky start focused on reuniting the nation and dealing with the issues of separation.  These are important clearly but our biggest danger would be in letting them consume us because from the get go our eyes need to be on building the premise for the future not separating ourselves from the past.  Having the wrong outlook on that will set us up badly from the start.

You'll notice none of my rationale is to do with tax or oil or currency or industry or defence or the NHS or Europe or NATO etc etc etc.  I am not being complacent or naive when I say these things will work themselves out but they will.  They are topics which have been used to polarise a debate and I have to say the thing I have taken most comfort from in the last few weeks was the Robert Peston documentary 'Scotland: For Richer or Poorer' which was a very balanced view of the situation and the matters of separation.  It was fact based and it was non sensationalist.  And what did it find when it spoke to many many experts across the UK with different outlooks?  Well, that there may be small changes to how we're taxed or what it costs Scotland to borrow money, oilfields might be getting smaller but the oil companies are here to stay.  Things will change but not to the extent we've been scaremongered into believing (or using as an excuse not to seize the moment).

So putting all these matters of separation aside (including the one raised on Jeremy Vine this am about whether Christ The Redeemer would have to be removed from Kelvingrover Art Gallery?!?!? (top of the list?)).  Do you want more of the same or do you want something different?  Do you want the chance to be a great nation in our own right - small but almost perfectly formed?  In fact I saw this this week and it made me smile - my second home is where I get a lot of my inspiration from when it comes to being small and perfectly formed and this underlines the point perfectly to me:

So there it is, I'm on the record and I'm glad I am (most people think I'm mad for how I'm living my life at the moment anyway so I might as well add this to the list.  NB that change in outlook and way of living my life is also inspired by NZ; by the entrepreneurship and balanced perspective of what is important in life that I see in NZ).  Who knows, one day my beautiful nephews might thank me and those like me for the fact we gifted them a great nation and an empowered future.

One last point - regardless which way you vote on the 18th just make sure you vote.  This is the one that counts after all.

Whilst clarifying my rationale for how I will vote I...

...HUNG OUT AT...Tennants Academy doing a course and sitting an exam to gain my personal license to sell alcohol - my second little venture but you'll have to wait to hear about that one - all will be revealed in due course.  Lots of good connections made and opened my eyes to the size of the Tennants brewery and all the courses you can do there.  Well worth a visit on a tour or for a wee leisure course...

...WINED ON...pretty much nothing as I was a sick puppy last week.  You can tell that by the fact I wasn't even interested in drinking alcohol...

...DINED ON...a lovely selection of Ox and Finch small plates at lunch yesterday with some dear friends - a belated birthday celebration.  Lovely to catch up and lovely to eat amazing food (again).

Until next week - have a good one (and try and still talk to me despite my voting preferences!!!!)

Week Thirty Three - Hi Ho Hi Ho

Yes as much as I know you all love my ramblings about how beautiful Scotland is (and there will be a bit more on that later), I thought I'd focus this week on a bit of a business update.

It's now six weeks since I set up Miss Snowden Presents Ltd which is currently trading under the name The Concierge.  Things are going well - the corporate image is established, the car is logo'd the website is up and running (www.theconcierge.org.uk) and whilst looking great will see further improvements in the coming weeks.  The bank account is set up and yesterday was a momentus day as the first income cheque was lodged. How exciting.

I have a few clients who I am working with on both a retainer and a one off basis and am currently developing my wider marketing and PR strategy to really get the proposition out there.

What is that proposition I hear you ask - well it is simple.  The Concierge is the giver of time!! I read a great article at the weekend which asked the question when did Saturday become Shatterday and Sunday Shunday?  The premise being that these days our busy lives mean we spend Saturday doing all the domestic and personal chores we never got to through the week and Sunday trying to unwind the plans we had to catch up with people - shunning everything to get any form if peace and quiet before the whole thing starts again.

And that is where The Concierge comes in.  You give us the to do list so that you can reclaim your personal time for you, your friends and family.

Our services cover a range of activities:

The Personal Concierge - everything from general errands, shopping, dry cleaning etc to making your dental appointments;

The Home Concierge - staying in for deliveries, managing tradespeople through home improvement projects, managing moving house;

The Lifestyle Concierge - from organising your social calendar to planning and managing celebrations such as birthday parties, anniversaries etc;

The Travel Concierge - for both you going away and people visiting here...researching holiday options and building personalised itineraries; bookings;welcome home service;

The Wedding Concierge - wedding day management where we do all the last minute logistics and co-ordinating to full wedding planning;

The Corporate Concierge - concierge services as an employee benefit; virtual assistant support to your business.

So there you go.  Could you do with help on any or all of the above?  Then just get in touch with me.  Over the next couple of weeks we'll have gift vouchers available - the perfect Christmas gift especially as a number of our services can be provided remotely.

Hopefully I'll be doing business with some of you in the not too distant future as either client or supplier.

Whilst building the business this week I have...

...HUNG OUT IN...Crail.  I know I'm always out and about but it was more one of those coincidences that I was away two weekends in a row.  Whilst very different from last weeks West Highland destination, Crail and the surrounds is stunning in it's own right.  We may only have been visitors but you do get a real sense of community in Crail and there is nothing better than switching off and meandering round the harbour, lobster shack and coffee shops that look out to sea.  I have yet to visit and have bad weather.  Thanks to those I was with for their company - full of laughs as always.

...WINED ON...a selection of lovely wines provided by The St Andrews Wine Company.  I paid a visit to this new venue when in St Andrews on Friday and had a great chat with Peter the owner.  A man after my own heart he's all about bringing the small, passionate producers to the fore and giving us all access to some incredible wines which we otherwise would not stumble across very often if at all.  In particular he recommended the Vaporetto Prosecco

The Font Mars Picpoul de Pinet

The J Mourat Chardonnay

And the Richard Hamiltob Cab Sauv.

With the help of my friends we tried all the sparkling and whites and they were all really lovely subtle but beautiful wines in their own right.  The red awaits.  Thanks to Peter for taking the time to catch up.  I wish you every success in your venture which deserves to do well on behalf of all those great small producers who you're giving air play to.  If any of you are visiting St Andrews you'll find Peter and his Wine Co on Bell Street between Market and South Streets...

...DINED ON...way too much cake at the weekend including a very nice Tesco Strawberry and White Chocolate sponge which was a steal at £2.85!!

So that was the week that was and since starting this this morning there have been a couple of interesting developments on the business front but I'll save that for next time - intrigue and all that.

Until then have a good one.

Week Thirty Two - One Thing All Scots Must Agree On

As the weeks roll by the independence debate, canvassing, polling, commentating etc ramps up. I don't intend discussing any of it however would comment on two things

1.  No matter which side of the debate you fall you must must must register to vote and then vote. I'm not teaching people to suck eggs but there are an astounding number of people who have yet to register to vote.  Added to that the fact that turn out rates of registered voters on polling day can often fall short then we all need to make sure we follow through and make our vote count.  In a voting population of c. 4.2m each vote is worth more than it ever has been in the UK context (incidentally the very premise of the vote in the first instance).  Regardless which way it falls we all have the obligation to say Yes or No.

2.  Whether you are a Yes or a No we must all be agreed on one thing...we live in one of the most stunning countries on earth...

...this weekend saw the annual First Thursday Club camping trip roll around again.  A highlight of our social calendar, this is our annual outdoor glamping excursion which is focused on walking a leg of the West Highland Way.  The plan being we'll take ten years to do it all.  As an aside we completely miss the point that doing the easy legs first only stores the hard ones til we're another year older and given the aches,pains, grunts, groans and panting (breathlessness on hills) that escalates each year it could mean the locals will wonder what has hit them in the year 2017 when we finally finish the walk - mind you as we keep saying the loss of memory may have kicked in by then and we may be on an endless trek across Scotland (hence we mark off the map each year so here's hoping we don't forget where the map is stored from one year to the next).

This year saw us walking from Kingshouse to Kinlochleven so last Friday we headed to the hills to marvel at the stunning mountains, lochs and glens which are the North of Scotland.  The scenery is just mindblowing and every year we have regular running commentary throughout the weekend about our amazement that this is our country (and these are our people!?!?).  When you take the time to travel a couple of hours north of Glasgow you can but stare in amazement at the natural beauty that is the place we live.  And it doesn't even matter what the weather is like - sun splitting or rain lashing the personality of the country and it's mood changes but is no less attractive or astounding either way.

Often you hear of people talking of emigrating to Aus or NZ for the outdoor life - I would challenge that we can have that life here as anyone who truly loves the outdoors is not put off by a bit of rain or cold.  In fact the extremities and changing nature of our weather is a further excuse for the outdoor enthusiast to buy even more kit and stylish outdoor clothing.

So no matter what debates and divides take place over the next three weeks let's all agree on the point that we live in one of Mother Natures most astoundingly beautiful countries and lest we forget I would encourage you to jump in the car for a day trip or an overnight or a long weekend and remind yourself of it.

Oh and then there are those astoundingly beautiful things which are of human form (I won't share the first thing in the morning look)

And how do we look so gorgeous on a camping trip? Well I shall treat this as a confessional and admit that this year we took the upgrading easy option and stayed in a pod - there was even a kettle and fridge as well as beds but we did stay true to the Aussie / NZ breakfast...BBQ fry up with a beer accompaniment to cleanse the palate. If you haven't tried it you must - the beer is great for cleansing away the grease honest.

And lastly there is the annual stop off at the world famous Drovers Inn on the way home...

Thanks for yet another fun filled adventure ladies - here's to next year (which is already booked - get us).

Whilst contemplating the wonder of our country I...

...HUNG OUT at...various places but have to mention the top off to our weekend - Potter Towers for our ice bucket challenge and for a Come Dine With me style cook off by Potters Jnrs...

...GINNED ON....many many many gins at a wonderful Gin Masterclass in the Alston Bar and Beef in Central Station.  Before I get into the Masterclass I should comment again about what a great location this is (a single doorway on your left when you enter Central Station from Gordon Street).  If you haven't been then get down there - everyone I've taken has loved it for it's gin, wine, food, amazingly friendly and service oriented staff and stunning surrounds. Trust me it's a winner.  And if you'd like a gin Masterclass then speak with Chris or the other members of staff about when they are next holding one.  I won't tell you too much as it gives it away but you are met with a perfect serve (a gin and tonic served with an accompaniment which brings out the botanicals - my favourite is the citadel served with cinnamon stick and orange rind).  You then move on to learning the unexpected history of gin whilst sampling eight premium gins and finishing with a Rioja barrel fermented Martinez - a super premium gin.  A great night (even if Friday wasn't so great) hosted by an extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic gin master Chris supported by the wider team...

...DINED ON...two exceptional three course meals presented by Sammy and Tom Potter in competition for the Come Dine with Me challenge.  Sammys meal consisted of Thai fish cake starter, beef rendang and finished with mango and coconut dessert.  Toms was Italian antipasta, pizza with Parma ham (braver than the rest of us Tom made his own dough and passata which were very rustic and authentic looking and tasting) then limoncello trifle.  Both were very different and tasted great.  And the winner was...

...well that would be telling.

Until next time have a good week.

G x

Week Thirty One - Birthdays Galore

What a week. How come I know so many people who's birthdays are in August?  I must be magnetised to people of a similar personality / star sign.

Literally hardly a day went by without another birthday to acknowledge, card to post, present to wrap. It's great. Some have been significant (I won't name names but you know who you are). Some not so significant.

Not long after I returned home from NZ I met a friend of mine who's birthday was approaching.  She suggested we shouldn't really bother about them now we're post 40 - it's just another day.  I was outraged. Everyone deserves to have their birthday acknowledged. To be spoilt.  To have a day which gives them the right to throw diets and routine out of the window. 

So my birthday was this week.  And what do you know - I felt the same as my friend. It's no big deal anymore. Just another day. 

As much as most of you wouldn't believe it, I don't like being the centre of attention.  What I prefer doing on my birthday is to have a day when you do what you enjoy doing.  And so it was that after a taxing bike ride (not necessarily what i enjoy doing but the vehicle by which i gain brownie points / vanquish guilt for what followed for the rest of the week), I did what I enjoy doing most - something for others. I made a big batch of Pimms cupcakes and shared them with friends and family to bring a bit of enjoyment and surprise and smiles to their day (sorry if you didn't get one - top of the list for next time). 

As for the rest of the day (in fact week) it was filled with friends (old and new), family, food and fizz which are all the things in life I love.

So to those who shared my over indulgent week thank you - it was great (not so much now judging by my jeans - you can only blame the tumble dryer for so long).

And to those with a birthday approaching I say don't ignore it; gift yourself a day of what makes you happy - there are 364 other days to make up for it!! 

Whilst quietly celebrating I...

...HUNG OUT AT...West George St with The Riccione Nine (minus a couple) to congratulate the Scotland Commonwealth Games Team on their amazing success at the Games (hard to believe the opening ceremony was only four weeks ago tonight - it feels like a lifetime ago)

...WINED ON...many beautiful wines on Saturday eve including this one 

 Bizarrely and coincidentally also ordered on Sunday when once again I...

...DINED ON...beautiful beautiful stunning small plates / tapas at The Ox and Finch. This place gets such great press (and I know I've already acknowledged it) and deservedly so. The staff are great (even when you make them choose your meal), the atmosphere relaxed, the decor shabby chic, the menu extensive and innovative, the flavours out of this world and the wines great too.  My personal favourite this time was a dessert of Coconut Panna Cotta, Mango, Black Olive Caramel and Pistacchio Soldiers...basically it looked like a boiled egg with toast.  "Black olive caramel!?!?!?" I hear you cry.  Yes and I was the only one brave enough to order it and (until the rest of my party were badgered into it) to try it. Unusual, innovative and worked so well with the rest of the dessert. As Hilary would say "yyuuuummmm". 

Until next week - have a good one

G x