Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
25th January 2019 - Today sees Scots around the world marking the birthday of 18th century Caledonian poet and lyricist Rabbie (Robert) Burns. Incorporated within these global Burns Night celebrations revellers will feast on haggis, neeps and tatties; along with partaking in a wee dram to toast the national poet of Scotland. In some cases,... Continue Reading →
August Bank Holiday Monday - Mercifully, the twenty four hours of incessant precipitation over large swathes of the UK has at last abated. Feeling inspirationally spent on waking, this morning I wasn't going to bother penning my usual daily narrative. Unsure of what my itinerary was going to entail, initial thoughts revolved around viewing a... Continue Reading →
I ventured westbound over the Pennine Hills this morning - Destination Cheshire. The county of crumbly cheese, affluent exiled Lancastrians, along with the residence my sister Helen, her husband Steve and daughters call home. Their hometown sitting on the cusp of the Peak District National Park, perches polar south of the Pennines. The Peak District... Continue Reading →
The capriciousness that has recently left it's stench of indecision around chez Strachan, has risen a notch as we get close to tomorrow's big choice. If your wondering what the stench of indecision is like, it's not unlike the aroma of a curry...... or is that pizza?! This Thursday, after weeks of pondering, contemplation and pondering, the big day will eventually be... Continue Reading →
Two years ago, almost to the day, I embarked on a trip to the Scottish village where my surname originates. At the time, I wrote three narratives journaling my voyage, all of which I am in the process of editing. Below is an updated version chronicling the third and final part of that expedition....... I concluded the second part of my trilogy of yarns from my road trip to... Continue Reading →
Two years ago, almost to the day, I embarked on a trip to the Scottish village where my surname originates. At the time, I wrote three narratives journaling my voyage, all of which I am in the process of editing. Below is an updated version chronicling the second part of that expedition....... At the end of the first narrative on my road trip around Scotland,... Continue Reading →
Two years ago, almost to the day, I embarked on a trip to the Scottish village where my surname originates. At the time, I wrote three narratives journaling my voyage, all of which I am in the process of editing. Below is an updated version chronicling the first part of that expedition....... Sitting by myself on the driveway in my trusty black Astra automobile, it... Continue Reading →
Referred to by Sir Winston Churchill as "Scotland’s greatest ever ambassador", entertainer Sir Harry Lauder passed away on this day in 1950. Born in Portobello, Edinburgh in 1870 he was the first Scottish entertainer to sell a million records and at his peak was the highest paid entertainer in the world. He started singing in... Continue Reading →
It was a warm Bedfordshire night on 4th July 1990. My first born child had just turned a month old and was being fed upstairs by my diminutive Mrs. I wasn't convinced pizza was suitable for a one month old, but he's got to the age of 25, so I'll begrudgingly give kudos to... Continue Reading →