So it’s the appropriate time of year for Easter Eggs. (The clue really is in the name.) There are loads of really unusual and interesting traditions surrounding Easter – it is a major festival of the Christian west after all – but I’m going to focus on eggs today. Why eggs? Well, Archbishop of York … Continue reading On Easter Eggs
On Cocktails
“Never trust any complicated cocktail that remains perfectly clear until the last ingredient goes in, and then immediately clouds.” – Terry Pratchett “Cocktails” – funny word for a drink genre, isn’t it? Although we think of them as a very 20th century concept, the word “cocktail” first appeared to refer to a drink in 1798’s … Continue reading On Cocktails
On the Real Neat Blog Award!
Scranshums has been nominated for the Real Neat Blog Award! I’m canny flattered, and many thanks to A.J Sefton for nominating me. Do go and check out A.J’s great history blog. There’s lots of Anglo-Saxon stuff, which I like. The ‘rules’ of the Real Neat Blog Award are: (feel free not to act upon them … Continue reading On the Real Neat Blog Award!
On St Cuthbert’s Day
This week saw the Feast Day of St Cuthbert on Friday 20th March. No doubt on this date you were all still getting over your St Patrick’s Day super-hangovers, but I’m here to educate you about Cuthbert, one of the famous Northumbrian saints from the early middle ages. Amongst his fans are ill people, proud … Continue reading On St Cuthbert’s Day
On Terry Pratchett
This week’s article was going to be about cocktails. I’d found a strange, yet perfect, quote to start it off, from Sir Terry Pratchett: “Never trust any complicated cocktail that remains perfectly clear until the last ingredient goes in, and then immediately clouds.” Meaning to google which book of his it came from, I wrote … Continue reading On Terry Pratchett
On Going First Class on the East Coast
Sometimes it’s rude not to travel first class. Not all the time, but on those rare occasions when you’re scanning the internet for train tickets and find the first class price just a couple of quid more or even – sharp intake of breath – less than standard. Then you’d be crazy not to shout, … Continue reading On Going First Class on the East Coast
On Four Unusual Museums
In my time, I have visited lots of museums: on family holidays, filling in gaps before trains, for research, or just to have a look at the shop. I’ve even worked behind the scenes in a couple and I’m contemplating a career in the museum/heritage sector. So here’s a guide to a few of the … Continue reading On Four Unusual Museums
On Valentine’s Day Traditions
Walking through a well-known supermarket this week, I came across a large display of pink wine, red heart-shaped chocolate boxes, more pink wine and cards. This was accompanied by a sign, where it was writ, in big letters, “Discover Valentine’s Day”. Eh? “Discover”? How many people are there wandering around wondering why shops are decorated … Continue reading On Valentine’s Day Traditions
On Playing Book Jenga and Sorting Shelves
This week I spent a bit of time having a mini book sort and clear out. By mini, I mean we only did one set of shelves, but it’s a start. To say my house is full of books is an understatement of epic proportions. My house is BURSTING with books. Fiction, antiquarian, cooking, DIY, … Continue reading On Playing Book Jenga and Sorting Shelves
On Colds
This week I have had a cold. No. I haven’t just had a cold: I have struggled valiantly through a week of hell. A week of headaches, shaky limbs, sore throats and runny noses. A week of continual tiredness, made only worse by cricking my neck after napping in an odd position. A week where … Continue reading On Colds
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