Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
I’ve just finished a very simple, but satisfying, breakfast of marmite on toast. It’s was by no stretch of the imagination a culinary masterpiece; such as the opulent fare that would grace the recipe books of Jamie Oliver, James Martin or Oasis lead singer Liam Gallagher. However, I found those two toasted pieces of bread... Continue Reading →
My wife is currently deep in conversation with a friend on the telephone, mainly appraising her about a fictional book she'd just finished. I hope her friend isn't overly fussed about reading this tome as Karen has just talked her through it's 'unexpected' ending. Evidently, this conclusion involved a homicidal chef being murdered and eaten by his spouse. As alluded to, my other half Karen wasn't expecting this finale despite it's less than cryptic... Continue Reading →
In my newly acquired role of dissenter against the mainstream, I often cock a snook at the world and push existential boundaries to their limits with acts of wanton recklessness. Yesterday this growing list of daring doo was augmented after I fearlessly cooked a couple of batches of homemade soup. This novel role of dissenter pays poorly, but the hours are good... Continue Reading →
It's Thursday 17th August at 12:20 pm, as I look out at the back garden the sun's glare makes a welcome tarriance after the deluge of overnight precipitation. Such powerful rainfall my garden borders appear to have been jet blasted as I'd slept. Consequently, the thinner stemmed flora and fauna looked very sorry for themselves, staring groundward as though bowing subserviently in the presence of royalty.... Continue Reading →
Ordinarily, my preference for my inaugural meal of the day is marmite on toast. On occasion, if I’m feeling particularly adventurous, I add a small tin of beans of the baked variety. A variety of Phaseolus vulgaris au jus tomato, which I find a flavoursome addition to the overall synergy of the recipe. I don’t always add... Continue Reading →
In The Beatles song 'The Ballad of John & Yoko', John Lennon penned the words "Peter Brown called to say you can make it ok. You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain." I thought of this lyric on Friday when someone also named Peter Brown called me on my landline. Unlike the late Liverpudlian, though, his motives weren't to plan my itinerary;... Continue Reading →
In what was an early birthday celebration for my daughter Rachel, the family spent a pleasant few hours in Leeds yesterday evening. With thirsts quenched by cocktails and beer in a Greek Street bar, we took an early evening saunter to Stockdales of Yorkshire where we’d booked a table for 7.30 pm. None of us had dined... Continue Reading →
Being ‘on my tod’ over the weekend has allowed me a period of reflection on matters existential. Some quiet time to recharge my batteries and learn the words to Sinatra’s ballad Strangers in the Night. As a result, I’ve now got fully charged batteries for my remote controls, torches and my rotating bow tie. Additionally,... Continue Reading →
Yesterday was a quiet news day for yours truly. With the exception of writing a blog, eating soup with crackers and watching the Ealing comedy classic The Lavender Hill Mob, Monday 20th February witnessed a paucity of activity in the existence of GJ Strachan. If truth be told, I could have taken the excitement levels up a notch if... Continue Reading →