Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
It's Sunday morning and I've taken temporary residence in my new 'go to' writing domain; Costa coffee at the White Rose Shopping Centre (WRSC), Leeds. A caffeine infused environment which provides me with inspiration, an Americano with milk, along with a less distracting background noise than home - Casa Strachan, where my paragraphs are frequently... Continue Reading →
Yesterday evening we held a slightly previous family get together to celebrate Mrs Strachan senior's 79th birthday. Although technically not her anniversary of birth until today, already pressing engagements resulted in the clan marking the dawning of mater's 80th year a day early. The brood's celebration of the event taking place in an East Leeds Italian... Continue Reading →
I commence this essay sitting in the Costa coffee shop within the Next building at The Springs Retail Park, Leeds; a recently built construction which also incorporates a Gino D'Acampo*** restaurant. **** - Or Gino D'Campingstove as my spouse, with her quirky tic of mispronouncing celebrity surnames, incorrectly calls him..... Gino D'Acampo not to be... Continue Reading →
Lethargy is today's watchword for GJ Strachan. Feeling like he's undergone an energy suction procedure, the vitality felt in recent days following a break with long term buddies currently evades him. The northern Englishman feeling as spent as his wife's wardrobe budget, but pragmatic enough to know it's a fleeting fatigue which'll no doubt abate post-slumber.... Continue Reading →
With a view to creating a herb/salad garden, yesterday I bought some edible plants from the garden centre. Well, if truth be told, I intend to create a couple of tubs of herbs and salad shrubs; calling it a garden is somewhat stretching the growing area's description. Consequently, this afternoon I'll be planting rocket salad,... Continue Reading →
"Contentment is an achievable Holy Grail, Gary....... Disenchantment, though, can only be consequential from bearing aspirations of eternal serenity. They're the notions of fatuousness that'll lead to inevitable disappointment, corrosion of spirit, manifestations of discontentment and taint the soul. Take heed that the pragmatist ordinarily prevails over the dreamer" The wise words offered yesterday by... Continue Reading →
Alec Thompson's banty eggs were frequent visitors to the 1970s/80's Strachan kitchen table in Dorchester Gardens, Low Fell. Not just physically, in the shape of an omelette or cake ingredient, but also as a catalyst to meal time banter surrounding the culinary splendour of truly fresh produce. I didn't know Gateshead man Alec personally but... Continue Reading →
Last week I wrote a narrative containing untrustworthy recollections from my senior high schooldays in Low Fell, Gateshead. Within those memories I touched upon a sandwich shop called The Griddle - During my schooldays a 'go to' source for midday refreshment. In the 1970s/80s, this Durham Road deli was heavily patronised by Heathfield Senior High... Continue Reading →
A trip to the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds lays behind door number 18 of the Strachan advent calendar. A sojourn I'll be embarking on with my trusty wingman Mrs Margaret (Maggie) Strachan of East Ardsley parish. She of the good heart, quick wit and penchant for asking me the same chuffing questions every... Continue Reading →