One of my favourite beaches in the world is the remote beauty to be seen at Lossiemouth in the north of Scotland. My Dad has been taking me there for years now; a scenic afternoon jaunt and maybe a snack at the fabulous 1629 Restaurant. Or is it the 1828? I always get it mixed up.

Normally we walk right out along the beach, picking up shells and maybe having a quick paddle. The water is never what you could describe as ‘warm’, but on this particular occasion even the wind was bitingly cold so we gave the beach a miss.

I took some pretty pictures of the harbour instead – I find the little fishing boats and bigger tugs so fascinating with all their vibrant colours, interesting names and collective intrigue. Sadly, Lossie Harbour is no longer the thriving fishing port it once was. Dad remembers visiting as a young boy and being taken in by the busy bustle of men at work; the lively port atmosphere; the smell of the fish and the harbourside banter.

On the day we were there it was threatening rain, but the boats just bobbed about quietly as always. Serene and reassuring. We got ice cream on the front from Miele’s of Lossie, and sat in the car to eat it. Many people were doing the same just to get the full effect of a day at the beach, despite the lack of sunshine. Lucky Dad still has his big black umbrella…

No Comments | In: Lifestyle, Travel, Wannabe Journalist | tags: 1629 restaurant, beach, boats, fishing, harbour, ice cream, lossie, lossiemouth, marina, miele's of lossie, port, rain, sea, seaside, shells, tugs. | #

When I look back with less-than-fond memories of my school days in the Highlands, I remember the appeal of going ‘down the street’ at lunchtime to find mischief, buy illicit cigarettes and sniff out some more appealing fayre than the school canteen had to offer. On a recent trip back in time, visiting my Dad who is well-suited to the rural pace of life, I found some interesting bits and bobs on the bright and shiny High Street of Grantown on Spey.

First up I spotted The Craft Lounge. If only it had been there when I was at school! I couldn’t wait to peek inside and found a veritable cornucopia of crafty gifts and mesmerizing craft supplies. From the felted owls that would do nicely as pin cushions, to the black and gold spotty ribbon I just had to have, Dad couldn’t get me out of there. I also bought faceted floral buttons, a necklace making set and some grey ‘button’ earrings of the kind I have always craved.

Moving along to Donaldson’sthe hardwear-cum-giftshop, I was looking for those spring/wire devices for displaying decorative plates on the wall. They had them in many sizes and only 59p each? Perfect! I splashed out on three. I also spotted some to die for cup-cake cases in metallic red, black, turquoise, gold and green. If only I had spotted those in time for my party eh? Perusing the shelves I pawed at hanging baskets for fruit and veg in the kitchen, olde-worlde clocks, bottle-cleaning brushes in an array of sizes and jam-jar lids with pretty paper covers. It’s another world of giftery and useful knick knacks that I just wouldn’t have time to browse usually. Maybe the rural life would suit me? There is always something going on.

Next up we popped into The Flower Box, which is all kitted out with pretty bird boxes and crates of flowers sitting on the pavement outside. I felt like I was having a Provence moment. From there it was into Chaplin’s Ice Cream Parlour for a chocolate milkshake made with a scoop of real ice-cream floating in the tall Knickerbocker glory glass. I fancied another but social etiquette forced me to decline.

A trip up to the good old Grantown Post Office even had me checking out the shelves – scrapbooks, stripy paperclips, coloured pens, chalk, sticky tape and Christmas decorations. What an exciting array to tempt you on the way to pick up a stamp! I also recognised a few of the other shops – Marjorey’s the hairdresser and The Candy Box the sweet shop.

Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.

Grantown on Spey is approx 35 south of Inverness, or 12-15 miles north of Aviemore. It has some pretty woodland walks, lots of Christmas lights with a New Year Street Party to rival any, my old Grammar School, a caravan site, Marjorey’s the hairdressers where I had my first (and only) perm, a fish doorknocker on someone else’s door that may or may not be a family heirloom and my Dad.

No Comments | In: Lifestyle, Travel, Wannabe Journalist | tags: donaldsons, grantown, grantown on spey, high street, highlands, ice cream parlour, marjorey's, the candy box, the craft lounge, the flower box. | #

On a recent visit to my Dad’s in the wilds of the Cairngorm National Park, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when re-discovering a certain piece of household equipment which is almost deserving of a place in a museum. Or at least the Christmas table.

Perhaps it could feature in a display on ‘The Way It Used To Be’ or a humorous retrospective of ‘The Domesticity Of Yesteryear’?* Either way, I don’t think they make them like this anymore.

The item in question is a Hoover hoover (or Vacuum Cleaner to be properly PC), all wired-on blue bag shaft, scuffed ceramic face and original red Hoover logo. It is a classic; a true vintage relic!

As Dad relays the story again of how ancient this (working) Hoover really is, I marvel at the manufacturing mavens who produced such a quality piece of equipment. I mean OK, he doesn’t vacuum everyday, or live in a palatial mansion with endless corridors of oosie carpet…but it’s still impressive.

Purchased for £14, it was already second-hand; a reconditioned model my parents bought when they were first married and setting up home together. As in before I was born. I am thirty.

Every year Dad takes it to a special Hoover Man for a service and had the foresight to stock-pile the relevant dust bags some years ago when extinction of said bags was a threat on the Hoover Horizon. His faith in the Hoover’s longevity is comforting and nice; a metaphor for a generation of trust in quality workmanship. 

This unassuming, slightly battered appliance is ripe for retirement in my opinion, but maybe it will have to carry on for another few years? Here’s to the next thirty!

So when I told Dad about the Make Do & Mend vintage market that I am attending on 21st May at Platform in Glasgow, we both came to the conclusion that ‘making do and mending’ is obviously in my blood. How marvellous.

*If any museums are interested in the purchase of this fabulous example of Hoover history, feel free to make us an offer!

5 Comments | In: Lifestyle, Shopping, Wannabe Journalist | tags: glasgow, hoover, make do and mend, platform, relic, second hand, vacuum cleaner, vintage. | #

Striking new designs spanning elegance, sophistication, bridal, pretty, sweet and fun from the Dainty Dora Shop in Folksy. A pick of the favs:

No Comments | In: Shopping, Trends, Wannabe Journalist | tags: accessory, bridal, brooch, buttoniere, corsage brooch, dainty dora, elegant, fabric, fashion, folksy, fun, necklace, pin, sophisticated, summer, wedding. | #

Now the magnificence of beautiful sunshine has broken; dribs and drabs of rain and oppressive cloud hovering and ready to strike, it seems like the perfect epoch to diatribe about umbrellas.

I have had a turbulent relationship with umbrellas in the past, and for the last year or so, have shunned their brittle frames and inadequate waterproof canopies for the reliable services of my trusty black trilby. Oh yes, as others struggle to keep their brollies right-side out, buffeted by high winds and dodging other umbrella-flaunters with their lethal spokes, I stride purposely, unhindered, hands free and just a little smug.

Cutesy-Whimsical from Paperchase

That was until I visited Paperchase in Waterstones. It had been a while, so instantly I fell in love with their delightful, quirky designs and needed a reason to buy. Function perhaps? Then I saw it – transparent stick-together vinyl with a red plastic handle, red edging and cutesy Japanese print. It’s really a child’s umbrella but then I think of myself as a bit of a child. Their stuff appeals to me, despite being rather giraffe-like; I love small things. Teensy teapots, children’s books (and umbrellas!) and I always eat with a small spoon. It makes things last longer. Only nice things. Like ice cream, jelly and multitudinous desserts. Mmmm.

Anyway, so I’ve not had an umbrella for a while but I just had to have this one. It is a long-handled affair, the kind you take out on a day when it is already raining otherwise you just end up looking like a buffoon carrying a long-handled umbrella .The kind of day you might leave it on a bus? Read more …

2 Comments | In: Lifestyle, Shopping, Wannabe Journalist | tags: fox frame, le chat noir, marks and spencer, paperchase, paris, tiffany butterfly, tokyo trippers, umbrellas. | #