Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
The fallow period between Christmas and New Year festivities is among us. It's 27th December, the yuletide culinary smorgasbord appears threadbare which, in association with excessive imbibing of intoxicating liquor, necessitates a sojourn to the grocer for replenishments. Big decisions ruminate around residences on this sceptred isle. Considerations such as whether to consume the confectionery... Continue Reading →
December's here. The wait is finally over for me to find out which word of profanity is behind the first door on my Gordon Ramsey advent calendar. Amongst today's itinerary I intend to scour the Radio Times to plan my festive viewing, while I listen to timeless Christmas tunes on an Apple Music playlist. This day will also no doubt witness my perennial yule-time pondering at... Continue Reading →
This morning, I'm greeted by a beautiful array of colours while I peer bleary eyed through my dining room window. Enhanced by the late autumnal sun, the deep orange of pyracantha, burgundy of sedum and multiple tinctures of winter pansies stare contentedly back at me. In front of me lays a view that's literally a sight for sore eyes. Basking in solar rays... Continue Reading →
A week ago today my family and I embarked on an unwanted existential odyssey of grieving. The unwelcome but not unexpected consequence of our clan leader's passing. In these fledgling days of sorrow, each member of the brood has dealt with this sad event in their own different ways. Some have offloaded their grief by shedding tears of despair at their loved one's loss. Others... Continue Reading →
After yesterday evening's dinner, I indulged in a cordial few hours chatting with my brother Ian in our parent's dining room. To add to the conviviality, we drank a glass of Hardonnay (chardonnay mixed with Viagra) and smoked cigars specially engineered by my brother from rice paper, Miracle Gro plant compost and the souls of the oppressed. I'm not sure why our... Continue Reading →
Fathers Day has been and gone. The fat lady has sung, concluding the day when offspring pay their annual thank you to the parent with the beard...... Unless dad doesn’t sport facial hair, or mum does, making my statement less forensically accurate...... But you know what I mean! Around the UK, dad’s wine racks will have... Continue Reading →
Today's writing companions are the sight and sound of chefs displaying their culinary excellence on TVs Saturday Kitchen...... Or it was until a female Spanish chef started carving up octopus, causing my missus to turn the TV off. I’m not sure what Karen finds so odious about the act of preparing a cephalopod mollusc for human... Continue Reading →
I drove my parents to an out of town shopping centre this afternoon. Which, according to my cutting spouse, makes a change from driving them to drink! The primary reason for the venture being their desire to undertake a food shop at Sainsbury’s supermarket. Despite my pater being not being too chipper at the moment, he stubbornly... Continue Reading →
I started my Christmas shopping yesterday. As you’d expect on the run up to the festive season, there were hundreds of people packed into the various retail outlets. Like me they feverishly sought a bargain and a shop that gave away free bottles of wine! I’m not sure what the collective noun for a congregated... Continue Reading →