Mantel, Attention-Seekers, and Wishing I Were Scottish...

From @isthatscully
on Twitter.

Once again, and for all the wrong reasons, the world's eyes are watching. Mirth-filled and incredulous they're wide-open, unable to process the chaotic madness as it unfolds. 

Normally, that would be the set up to a joke. I'd lure you into thinking I was referring to the current UK political mess, but then land a punchline about something completely different. But nope. You were right first time. It really is that ridiculous. There are, however, some small blessings to be found under the rubble of our collective sanity.  It's not all bad. The Daily Star's lettuce-cam did much heavy lifting last week, reminding global rubber-neckers we can still laugh at ourselves in times of crisis. Mostly.

Today we might have a new Prime Minister. Or if not, Friday. I've rewritten that several times over the past three days, depending on the latest information. I think we're to be told the situation around 2pm. Aren't they good to us? Thanks guys. But look. If/when the whole circus repeats itself in a month or so, can I make a request? Could the media only report actual events, rather than briefed gossip from a Caribbean sun lounger? Unless someone has handed in their papers and started their leadership campaign, can we ignore their mates' dribblings until they put their money where their mouth is? I'd have preferred the UK response to the idea that Johnson might make a comeback, as a slight shrug and a whevs face. You know, like that Partridge gif. When someone craves attention that much, it does them no favours to give it to them. Even now, at this later stage of his life, we can help the ex-PM become a better person. Giving back power that he's unsuitable for and incapable of, is cruel. Give him the chance to be a useful member of society... by letting him nowhere near a position of responsibility again. It's definitely in the national interest.

I'm pretty sure this is NOT Wolf Hall.

Writing News

If you don't read, you can't write, so my writing news is my current reading choice. When Hilary Mantel died, I rectified the fact I'd never read any of her stuff by buying Wolf Hall. I knew it'd be brilliant because non-brilliant books generally aren't critically acclaimed nor award winning, but I also thought I'd find it dull and heavy. Happily, I don't! It's great! I'm immersed! World-building is usually applied to fantasy, but the forensic way she builds the world of the Tudor court is completely enticing. I feel like I'm Thames-side, smelling the whelks, every time I pick it up. (FYI, I don't think being 'Thames-side and smelling the whelks' has been explicitly described by Mantel in any of the chunk of Wolf Hall that I've read. I don't even know if there were whelks by the Thames in Tudor times. But it's testament to her creativity that I feel comfortable in riffing on her setting. She might describe a specific conversation or experience of a character, but the way she writes means the reader gets a 360° view of the surrounding scene. Pretty impressive tbh.)

Peter Capaldi in Local Hero. I
spent much of the last week
doing similarly.

Culture

While Westminster imploded (again) I was in Scotland. It was utterly glorious to be away from the nonsense (although a large part of my final day was spent watching rolling news.) Because I love Scotland and because I culturally appropriate places I love, I ate a lot of cullen skink, seafood chowder, and salmon. I watched Sunshine on Leith, I bought a tartan scarf, and on the journey home through the stunning scenery, I listened to the soundtrack of Local Hero. Twice. It was glorious.

Food and Drink

See above for the seafood details. On the way up, I also bought 'bits' from Tebay Services. That meant my Airbnb was knee-deep in posh scotch eggs, veggie pies, artisanal bread, and all the cheeses.

The view from my Airbnb. Sigh. 

Out and About

I stayed in North Berwick. I knew nothing of North Berwick until a few months ago, when I spent a happy evening searching for beachside holiday rentals in cold places. I do love me a blustery beach. I got exactly what I was looking for, along with a town that has particular lovely restaurants and pubs. Plus, it was six stops on the train from Edinburgh Waverley. I had a wander around the shops, plus a very large gin in Brewhemia, my new favourite bar in Edinburgh.

The rest of this week is a busy one for me. Because the book-writing is at a natural pause, I've got all sorts booked in. But hopefully it won't be too long before I'm back into a sensible routine. Just like the UK government. 

Have a lovely week, folks