capndarcy

The Punch

Books are awesome. We all know this. Books transport us, enlighten us, encourage us and so much more. Every now and then books can give a real punch to the gut that can leave the reader reeling, such as reading something unexpectedly pertinent to this moment. While I deeply and sincerely hope the Palestine-Israeli ceasefireContinue reading “The Punch”

A Year of Swedish Death Cleaning.

I’m not sure if, at the age of 63, I am early or late to the Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. The hyper-organised will have been doing it all their lives while the cluttered collectors among us will likely continue to look the other way. I have decided to embrace it and have begun theContinue reading “A Year of Swedish Death Cleaning.”

Discovering Treachery

The New Year can bring resolutions, revelations, and uncertainty but one event is a constant in my life. Since I was a post-graduate I have been a member of The Study Group on the Russian Revolution, which holds its annual conference in the first week of January. It provides delegates with the chance to hearContinue reading “Discovering Treachery”

I, Baba.

It has been a difficult year. Not in any tragic or dramatic sense but simply a year that has seemed without meaningful purpose or direction. When I turned sixty, three years ago, I actively sought out new challenges and directions for my life. I love being ‘old’ enough to be what and who I want,Continue reading “I, Baba.”

Edinburgh Fringe 2023

4 days, 12 events. Day Two Day two of our fesitval jaunt was our most varied. We began in a leisurely manner at the Book Festival listening to Richart T. Kelly talk about his new book, The Black Eden, set in Scotland over the period of discovery and early exploration for oil. I hadn’t readContinue reading “Edinburgh Fringe 2023”

Edinburgh Fringe 2023

4 days, 12 events. Day One ‘What was your favourite bit?’ I used to ask The Bombers this question after we had enjoyed a day out or event. Sometimes the answers would be clear cut and at other times there would be several moments that had given pleasure or revealed the different ‘take aways’ forContinue reading “Edinburgh Fringe 2023”

Edinburgh Fringe

There are many arguments or discusions to be had about the growth of the Edinburgh Fringe, who it serves, how it is financially crippling to many performers, whether it is diverse enough etc and I am happy to take part in those debates. However, I have to say going to Edinburgh during August is oneContinue reading “Edinburgh Fringe”

Dinner and Lunch: Two locations.

The Anderson, Fortrose, has a prominant position on the High Street in the town and can’t be missed on the drive through. On our recent holiday, which included a stopover in The Black Isle to visit Baby Bomber’s family, we dined in The Whisky Room of The Anderson. The decor has been described in otherContinue reading “Dinner and Lunch: Two locations.”

Eriskay and the S.S. Politician

The Outer Hebrides have benefitted in recent years from the connection of several of the islands by causways allowing easy travel between them. It is now possible to visit ten islands from Vatersay in the south to Lewis in the north via two ferries and six causeways. I first visited these wonderful islands five yearsContinue reading “Eriskay and the S.S. Politician”

Staycation

Apparently the word ‘Staycation’ entered the lexicon of English words in the early 2000s to mean a holiday (vacation) spent at or near one’s home. In reality it has come to mean a holiday in one’s own country but given that some countries are vastly bigger than others a Staycation in The United States ofContinue reading “Staycation”