Writing and thoughts from NE Scotland
With the fine weather at the weekend it finally feels like spring has arrived in Stonehaven. I recently upgraded my camera to a DSLR, so when the sun came out yesterday I spent some time wandering round the garden to get some pictures of spring. This daffodil shot is the best of the bunch.
I finally made it round to The Boozy Cow in Aberdeen last night. It’s been open for a while but I’d heard mixed reports, so wanted to give it time to settle into a stride before trying it out. You know what? Ignore the haters. It’s great.
OK, so the place isn’t cheap. Especially if you want some sides and a beer as well with your burger, but this isn’t McDonalds. If you want a pound saver menu look elsewhere. Also those sides, £3 for a bowl of coleslaw which I only needed a quarter of. Why not do a smaller bowl for £1? The skinny fries aren’t anything special either.
The burger is the star of the show. Handmade, soft and juicy (the menu and waitress both advised it’s cooked pink, though mine was a little over) in a plump brioche bun. I went for the green chilli burger with cheese, jalapeno butter, pickle, lettuce and mustard. Honestly it was one of the best burgers I’ve had in a very long time.
Beer selection is OK. Would like a bit more variety but what they have is good. A Vedett Extra Blonde lager and an excellent american style pale ale from FourPure are the standouts.
If you want a cheap, fast food burger go seek out the golden arches. If you’re after an on-trend bit of beef in a bun with a bit imagination and some good beer to drink alongside it then check out the Boozy Cow.
After the low of the referendum defeat many Yes campaigners are picking themselves up, dusting themselves down and asking “What’s next?”. Those that voted for a fairer, independent future and who lit up the campaign with energy, creativity and fire are now starting to wonder what they can do to continue the fight. Some of the groups that fought under the Yes banner have raised their standards again and posted statements of intent like National Collective or Robin McAlpine from the Common Weal, whose powerful piece sums up the thoughts of many now aching to push forward after coming so close:
We lost. Get over it. Every second we spend licking our wounds is a second we lose for the fight. And fight we must. And fight we will. We made much of this land our Scotland, not theirs. So now we hold our territory. Then we take theirs.
Wipe your eyes. On your feet. Grab your stuff. Let’s get started.
I’ve held back quite a bit from the independence debate. Not because I wasn’t sure of my opinion or confident in the argument, but just because with a baby on the way, looking for a new house and a lot of pressure at work I’ve had more than enough on my plate without launching headlong into the campaign as well. However with just days to go to the biggest political vote in my lifetime I thought I should at least write down my thoughts on the referendum.
When it comes to independence, I’ve always been a yes voter really. Since I was old enough to participate in the democratic process I’ve only ever voted for parties that advocate an independent Scotland (which doesn’t mean I’ve only ever voted for the SNP). Up until now I guess you could say that was a romantic ideal, I felt very strongly that Scotland should be independent but until 2011 it was something I never thought I’d see. My belief in independence didn’t stem from Hollywood nonsense like Braveheart (as much as I enjoyed it at the time) or kilts and shortbread imagery. It’s simply that I believe Scotland is a country, distinct in its own right and as such should be run as a country by those who are best placed to make the decisions on behalf of that country – the people living in it.
Continue reading “Why I’m Voting Yes”
During our short visit to Copenhagen last month I paid a visit (two actually) to the bar of one of my favourite craft beer breweries – Mikkeller. Often experimental, always interesting, I’ve had a few bottles from of Mikkeller from my local booze supplier and hugely enjoyed their I Hardcore You collaboration with Brewdog.
Their bar in Vesterbro, Copenhagen being conveniently close to our hotel (a happy accident I promise) we were able to quickly stop past on the way back from a day spent wandering round the city, when the bar was absolutely heaving with hop aficionados, and then return the next day for a more relaxed couple of drinks while sat outside in the warm Danish sun. Continue reading “Mikkeller Bar, Copenhagen”
Mince and Skirlie 