Easter 2015: Mull Pt.1

April 10, 2015June 4, 2015 - Michael 12 Comments

Over the Easter weekend I went to visit my parents in Scotland again on the Isle of Mull. The last time I went up I got the sleeper Megabus Gold and only booked off one day from work, so I could work out how viable an option both of these were. As it turned out, they weren’t particularly. So this time around I took advantage of having 2 days already off work and tried the Caledonian Sleeper up to Glasgow instead of the Coach. As I left it pretty late I booked a seat, rather than a bed due to cost. I think next time I’ll go for a bed… the seats weren’t that great and leaving the light on overnight? Nah.

Curry Crumb Fish and 2nd Blog Birthday Giveaway

March 30, 2015June 4, 2015 - Michael 10 Comments

So I’ve been blogging for two years. TWO WHOLE YEARS. That’s kinda crazy when you think about it. I don’t know where the time has gone. I remember setting up my domain and doing my first few posts, taking photos with my iphone as I didn’t have a suitable camera. Things have improved since then. Both from a writing point of you and visual point of view. I’ve met some pretty awesome people through my blog, and I’m also fairly certain it’s helped me with my career (check out an interview I had on that very subject across at PrettyGreenTea).

Chicago 2014 – Part 1

March 20, 2015June 4, 2015 - Michael 9 Comments

So in September 2014 I went to Chicago. I blogged about how I almost missed it after sleeping through my alarm, and promised further updates. Unfortunately, due to the move down to London almost instantly afterwards, I ran out of time. I did however, keep a diary for the majority of the trip, which I can dip into when I want. There will be more to come over the next few days, and possibly some food talk.

27 before 28

March 17, 2015 - Michael 23 Comments

Today is my 27th Birthday. Oh eck. I’m leaving behind that period known as your “mid twenties” which when you’re younger looks so full of hope and joy (it’s a lie, avoid them at all costs) and moving on in to the “late twenties” tag. Where the pressure to “settle down” and “get your life together” steps up. Well, that doesn’t look like it’s happening any time soon, so pass the gin and cake. In the meantime I’m going to set myself some targets. These will be in the form of 28 things to do before I turn 28. I have done similar before (over on Tumblr though, this time I’m going to properly do it on here and track them). I’ve already got some general goals for 2015, but these are more “do such and such” sorts of things.

1. Climb a new Munro

I’ve climbed Ben More (on the Isle of Mull) twice now, and I was supposed to climb Ben Cruachan last year for WaterAid (it fell through). I have an itching to climb as many of these as possible, so it has to happen.

2. Get my bakes stocked somewhere

I’ve a couple of things in mind here and hope I can get the ball rolling.

3. Go on a walk/hike challenge.

Something properly long, for instance 30 miles plus. I want to properly challenge myself. (this may be sorted at the start of May)

4. Do a sponsored event for charity.

Someone find me a 10k or something. I want something to aim for and work towards.

5. Send out a Cake Care Package once a month.

This is already well under way. I’ve already got a couple planned in for March and I’m aiming to keep them going. If you want one, drop me an email. I’ve got an every growing list. It has priorities (I send it to people that are down more than I do just for the sake of it).

6. Try 5 completely new foods.

Last year I ate a few completely new things. Not talking dishes, but items of food that I previously couldn’t bring myself to eat. I am historically a picky eater, so this is all about me trying to improve how I eat. I mean last year I discovered a love for radishes, kale and quinoa, who knew?

7. Go bouldering/climbing.

This is one I’ve wanted to do for a long time now. There’s a climbing place near my office but it just comes down to confidence, or a lack of it.

8. Read 5 new books by 5 new Authors

I have a habit of getting stuck on an author and re-reading them again and again (See: Weel of Time Saga – Robert Jordan or anything by JRR Tolkien). Suggestions please.

9. Make my own alcohol.

This is either going to be beer, gin or wine. I really want to try my hand at it and have for a while. (Without even knowing I was writing this my fucking amazing friends clubbed together and got me tickets to the Ginstitute in London)

10. Get a penpal.

I like writing letters. Wanna volunteer, tweet me or email me.

11. Get my first tattoo.

Sorry if you’re reading this Mum & Dad. I’ve had the concept decided on for ages and have a couple of artists in mind (it just comes down to money).

12. Have a driving lesson

I started learning when I was 17, as most people did. Then one day, my driving instructor just didn’t show up. I never got back in the swing of it, but I need to, or various reasons.

13. Try and do a Video Recipe (Vlog)

We will see with this one. I’d need the equipment and a more stable living situation.

14. Read 3 classics which I’ve not read before.

I read a couple last year, I want to read a couple this year. Any suggestions on which of the classics are must reads?

15. Take an evening class in something new.

Drawing? Painting? Spinning on my head?

16. Have a “yes” day

I’m a pretty negative person. Having a day where I said yes to everything would possibly kill me.

17. Go clean shaven for a week.

See how the other half live, ya know?

18. Go camping

I love camping. I also haven’t done it properly in years. Festivals do NOT count.

19. Do a minimum of 12 “cooking” posts

I want to mix things up and start doing more meals/cooking on the blog, rather than just baking. I’ve done a few in the past and they are usually quite well received.

20. Increase my “prop” collection

I currently have very little to use for when I’m taking photos etc for the blog. I need to start scouring charity shops etc to try and increase this.

21. Random act of kindness

Do this for a complete stranger. I’m not just talking about something small, or being polite. I mean go the whole hog and really help someone.

22. Re-skin my blog

I’ve been unsure about my theme for a while now and I want to change it, my main bugbear is that there is no proper content on my front page. While that looks good I feel it doesn’t draw people in too much.

23. Network

Since starting this blog it has helped put me in touch with some other wonderful bloggers. This year I want to try and meet a fair few of them.

24. Run

I mainly exercise using my exercise bike. When it gets a bit warmer though I am going to force myself to mix thing up and go out for a couple of runs.

25. Be happier in myself

This is a more broad/vague one. I have… dips… sometimes where I get really low. I want to make a conscious effort this year to try and make myself more happy and do things that make me happy.

26. Live perminently outside my overdraft

The move to London made me take a massive step back in my finances. This year I am determined to tackle that.

27. Watch a WWE PPV without complaining, once.

This may be the hardest one ever.

Does anyone have any suggestions for more? Do you have your own personal goals?

Isle of Mull – January 2015

March 2, 2015 - Michael 5 Comments

As I’ve mentioned previously on the blog, my parents recently moved to the Isle of Mull. It’s been a fairly crazy couple of months, my mum got struck by lightening?!, it’s been the coldest/heaviest snow that Mull has had in years (they keep on being assured, it NEVER does this here). And they are still, of course, living out of boxes. Anyway, they’ve wanted me to head up and see the new place so I took the first opportunity I could. I’ve been sleeping really badly (combo of stress and some other issues) and a weekend away on Mull would be just the ticket to help sort me out (I hope it lasts).

I’ve not done a “weekend” up there since I moved south. From Leeds I could viably take off the one day and get a good chunk of time on the island before heading back. From London? Not so easy. I opted for the Megabus Gold on the way up (this meant I could travel overnight and be in Glasgow early). Well, that’s the last time I do that on my own. I had to basically share a bed with a complete stranger (alas it wasn’t an attractive lady, just a middle aged man). It did mean, however, that I was in Oban waiting for the ferry by about 12. If I’d left that morning from London it would have meant an entire day of travelling (See the Sunday trip home…).

It rained. What a surprise aye? But it was great to see the new place, and we headed off for a quick stomp (nothing too ambitious due to the weather) to the beaches at Knockvologan. Unfortunately, I hardly used my proper camera on this trip, having to rely almost entirely on my phone. It was the kind of wet outside where you’d be out for 5 minutes and be soaked through, I didn’t want to risk my camera in that. These beaches are superb as they are remote enough to be quiet but actually relatively easy to access. They have superb white sand which stretches a long way, good wildlife (we were being watched by a number of seals) and superb turquoise water (even in the rain).

I baked a couple of Lemon Drizzle loaves, but didn’t take any pictures (we just ate them, soz) and it reminded me I need to actually do that recipe at some point (in the mean time check out my miniature Lime Drizzle Loaves). The Sunday back reminded me exactly why I’d tried to break up the journey by going overnight. I left at 10am from My parents place and got back home at 10pm, shattered beyond belief.

I’m looking forward to more adventures at their new place, which was pretty nice to say they have just moved in, it needs work and they are still living out of boxes. It’s exciting to see what the future holds for them up there. I’ll be back up pretty soon for a slightly longer stay. And I’m trying to organise a camping/campervan trip around Scotland for later in the year. Any tips on other bits of Scotland to visit?

The Bearded Bakery

Bake | Explore | Eat

Life

Easter 2015: Mull Pt.1

Curry Crumb Fish and 2nd Blog Birthday Giveaway

Chicago 2014 – Part 1

27 before 28

Isle of Mull – January 2015