Alcohol – Boadicea's Chariot

There have been many men of words that have written essays on how to brew a nice cup of tea. Amongst them have been celebrated literates such as George Orwell and Christopher Hitchens. It seems futile to follow in their foootsteps so I’ll leave the tea bags to the experts and concentrate on a more stronger brew.

McEwans Export has been my poison for all my adult life. Naturally, I do drink other beers when the occasion arises due to supply issues but given the choice I’d swallow ME firstly and foremostly. If I ever won the lottery and I was luxuriating in the Ritz, Bali, Indonesia I’d demand a McEwans Export from the proprietors. Demand. Because I’m filthy rich. Cue a Milk Tray Ritz Lady (role reversal time) storming the Seven Seas to Scotland to bring me back some brews. Continue reading “A toast to the Laughing Cavalier”

It was not so much that they were kindred spirits, they were in fact quite different in temperament and outlook; Robert was more cerebral and preferred books and board games while John was gregarious and liked the outdoors. It was more a force of circumstance that had drawn them together and which provided the basis of their friendship. Theirs was a relatively isolated community and there were few other children with whom they could socialise. They could scarcely remember a time when they had not known each other and for much of their childhood, if they were not alone, they were in each other’s company. It was only when they went away to the same boarding school that they began to establish their own social independence, each with his preferred group of friends. During the holidays they would reconnect without any acrimony concerning their school alliances. They understood and respected each other’s differences. Continue reading “Wrecked”