Tag Archives: Food

Does my bum look big in this?


Preparing for a party many moons ago, My Girls then aged 4 and 6 sat on on the bed to watch me dress and make-up.  The final glittering touches complete, I twisted and turned in front of the mirror, wondering … Continue reading

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Being Nonna: reviving old memories, making new ones


Mum … what would you say if I was pregnant?  Two years ago, this is how FirstBorn introduced me to her new situation. Grandson N is now 16 months old … and the light of my life. Of course, outwardly … Continue reading

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Henry VIII … and the start of a Very Exciting Adventure


I begin this Blog with Happy News: BB having featured regularly in my tales over the last ten years has become HH: the Handsome Husband. Our East London wedding celebrations in June saw us tie the knot at Hackney Town … Continue reading

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Pier to Peer: a tale of two weekends


In June this year our planned stay at Breedon Hall luxury B&B in Derbyshire fell victim to Covid; the host’s son had tested positive. Long-lost friends Charles and Charlotte were forced to cancel a full hotel – far worse for … Continue reading

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Hello to half a century (and then some).


Fifty-five is not an insubstantial age but not as old as I hope to be one day – assuming I will remain in fine fettle of course. This year’s birthday celebrations extended to before and beyond the day itself and … Continue reading

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A Wanstead afternoon and other social shenanigans


It began on the first Friday of April. I had invited very old friends from Cambridge days of yore, people with whom I had mingled during the year of my secretarial training. The early ‘80s involved partner in crime, the … Continue reading

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Girls on Tour: The Three Graces and a Tasmanian Roadtrip


Australia is a substantial and beautiful country that until recently left my interest unpiqued. Until that is, Exocet (Youngest of All) deemed her culinary career incomplete without experiencing the territory’s joyful food culture; she moved to the other side of the world … Continue reading

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Sicily and the art of slow


Mr Smart, Head of Art is ultimately responsible. Chatting last term to Beautiful Boyfriend (mine, not his) he recommended as the starting point for our imminent vacanza, a swanky Palazzo apartment owned by a Countess he happens to know. Palermo … Continue reading

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The holiday: Gozo far … and find unspoiled heaven


Excitement mounted as my long awaited, high-pamper-factor, sun-filled holiday hove into view, destination Gozo, a tiny island of the Maltese archipelago, which lies about 80km south of Sicily and 290km north of Africa. As yet unsullied by tourism, Gozo is … Continue reading

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The G-Plan Diet: lazy and tasty


The most important words between people are often exchanged over the table. Food is currency. Food is glue. Food is the stuff that brokers and builds friendships and relationships of any hue; and if they need celebrating – or even … Continue reading

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