gin

I returned from a holiday in the US to sniffer dogs, soaring temperatures and a city in lockdown. The G20 is on this weekend in Brisbane, which means lots of fences and checkpoints, a massive police presence, disrupted public transport and an opportunity for the British PM to show up Australia’s Prime Minister by Acknowledging Country in… Read more

In the US they are known as popsicles and the delightfully old fashioned ‘iced lolly’, in the UK.  Ice blocks are the quintessential childhood summer treat and as adults we still think back to those long, lazy days when endless hours in the swimming pool and ice blocks from the freezer made it the best… Read more

Everyone’s Gatsby mad at the moment. You can buy flapper headbands in Sportsgirl, visit Harvey Nichols for a Roaring 20’s themed afternoon tea, learn from Woman’s Day how to get Daisy’s look and, Tiffany in Sydney has a whole tribute to Jazz Age Glamour, just in case you’re looking to update your diamond collection. It’s all… Read more

Well, I drank it of course! With the help of Anthony and my brother Sean whilst we were staying in Bremgarten bei Bern in Switzerland.  I adapted a cocktail I tried in Chester and re-christened it. Swiss Gin Blush Use 1 part sloe gin* and top up with lemon squash. Lime wedge optional.  Delicious! *Do… Read more

Last Monday I visited Blackfriars Distillery in Plymouth – as you do when you have a spare Monday morning.  It’s located in the ‘Barbican’, which is the old part of Plymouth.  When I say old, think of the Pilgrims heading the to New World.  The Barbican is where they jumped on board the Mayflower and… Read more

What do you do when the days start to shorten and there are many long winter nights ahead of you? Brew your own booze of course! Some may recall from earlier posts that in visiting a variety of National Trust properties, I was able to try locally grown farm shop produce as well as collect… Read more