What's an ology and who wants to wear tights?

 I was reminded of this a few days ago when I came across an old post about the lovely Maureen Lipman who did an advert many years ago when she talked about someone who had an 'ology'. She was as a character called Beattie and it was for British Telecom. So many people remember the 'ohh he's got an ology.'

(source Manchester Daily News)

This got me thinking about other phrases that for some reason or other stick in mine (and maybe your) brain.

When my children were little we had an audio tape—remember those—of the great Kenneth Williams talking as a character who didn't want to play a silly part, because he was in the characters words 'I'm a serious ac-tor. I want to wear tights!'

(source, Radio Times/Getty Images)

This struck the kids as hilarious and it became one of those catchphrases they would trot out every so often.

Also from a good twenty-thirty years ago, the well loved BBC radio programme test match special was on in the car as we were driving down Sutton Bank in Yorkshire. A really steep hill, where lorries crawled up and got a long queue of traffic behind them, and caravans are banned. I remember it so vividly.

Anyway, we had almost got to the bottom of the hill, listing to the radio when we heard the commentator say 'The bowler's Holding the batsman's Willey.'

The car swerved and we began to giggle. Then heard the commentators crack up as they realised how that could be interpreted. That along with 'Ian Botham's got his leg over,'(The wicket as it transpired but that wasn't mentioned at first) are family favourites.

I could go on for ever, but I'll stop there... And say that my absolute favourite is about a story my aunt read to me when I was about two or three I guess. About a naughty kitten. Evidently I sent my aunt crazy by asking her to read the story and butting in every few seconds with' naughty pussy pickpaws?'She was pregnant with my cousin and said it was enough to want her to go into early labour just not to have to read it again.

(Source, Perla Coco designs on Facebook)

Whatever you remember, enjoy.

Happy reading,

love Raven xx

excuse me, where's the...?

 It's a daft thing but I've noticed just have many different ways you can say, 'Excuse me, where are the...' and then you stop and wonder what word to use.

The loo, the toilet, the lavatory?

(source, pinterest)

They all work.

Then there's the washroom, restroom, and bathroom.

Not to mention bog, loo and carsey.

Outhouse, privy, cludgie—that's local to Scotland I think—or coyly 'the facilities'.

(source, pinterest)

Or indeed crapper which gives you an idea where that word without the 'er' on it comes from.

I bet Mr Thomas Crapper, who improved on the 's's bend never expected his name to be used for 'spending a penny', 'having a tinkle', or other such things. 

There's one expression that made me blink the first time I heard it. So did a reply I also heard.

It was in a tourist site in Scotland when a coach of people were arriving. One person walked up to a shop assistant and informed her...

"I want to go potty."

The assistant, an older lady looked at her and raised one eyebrow. "If you want to go crazy, the you're crazy already."

The person stared. "Eh?"

You said you want to go potty. that means you want to be daft, stupid, silly, mad. Potty." 

I swear the person stamped both feet. "I need the restroom." That was snapped out.

I stifled a laugh as the assistant smiled oh so sweetly.

"Oh, why didn't you say so. Over there on the left."

(source, Amazon)

Once the customer had stomped off, no doubt to join the queue for whatever you want to call it I heard the assistant mutter to a colleague that she knew fine well what a potty was but if she'd tried to get down on one she'd never get up again! Then she added 'why would anyone over the the of five use one?' Then she said she'd almost asked if the person needed their nappy changed. It's as well she didn't.

We'd probably then have heard her go on about same things, different names.

But that's for another time.

Happy reading,

take care,

love, Raven xxx

The Gluten-Free Author's guide to some gorgeous goodies. Okay it's fish and chips again amongst other things.

 As some people know, gluten does not love me. No BROW. I.E, no wheat, barley, rye or oats. I remember it as brow.

This only happened after I was asked if I could  go for a fortnight without eating them. I did and oh boy, when I went back onto gluten—rich tea biscuits anyone?—my body screamed at me. 

(Source, pinterest)

As well as giving me spots, mouth ulcers, itchy skin, stomach pain, bloating and the inevitable dashes to the loo. The next few months were not the best in my life until gluten departed once more.

(source, pinterest)

Anyway that's by the way. I accepted I shouldn't eat anything with gluten in it. People kept asking me if I missed anything and when I thought about it, realised I didn't really. Oh yes I loved my rich tea biscuits. Chocolate fingers, crusty french bread, and good fish and chips. But if they would make me ill, what was the point in moaning I was missing them?

So it was a fair while before I noticed that gradually, a lot of places were now making more gluten free food. 

And my local pub at the time (The Forth Inn, Aberfoyle) started to do gluten free battered fish with chips. What a treat.

Since then I've discovered a few favourite got to go to places that serve g-f batter. Not an everyday occurrence, a treat. 

Whiteheads in Hornsea, won fish and chip shop of the year this last year and it does amazing gluten free fish and chips. (with mushy peas). And importantly, spirit vinegar. And it's not far from where I now live. Perfect. Fish and chips at the sea side and a brisk walk along the prom to get rid of some of the calories!

On holidays I'm discovering some good g-f cafes and restaurants. This year I've been lucky enough to go to Canada. The nearest bakery to where we stopped in Port Perry, near Toronto was, believe it or not a Gluten -Free bakery. Pizza's bread, and cookies that were gorgeous.

But now we get to fish and chips and chicken wings. 

Ignore the weird hair—there is no red in it, it's the light, I hope—and windswept, tired look. I'd only had a few hours sleep and been for a long walk to try and wake up. Can't say it really worked, but the fish and chips did the trick.

This was Joe's on the Beach, in Davis Bay, on the Sunshine Coast of Canada. A lovely ferry ride from near Vancouver, we stopped in a place called Robert's Creek and had a great wander around. All of their batter was gluten free and I was spoiled for choice. I went for lingcod in the end and oh boy was it delicious. The fish was fresh and the batter crisp. The lovely husband had the same and agreed.

Then there was the Boardwalk Cafe in Lund. 

(pic from Broadwalk Cafe website)

It's worth the drive to this little place at the end of the road 'proper', though the sat nav takes you the wrong way as you get into the village. If you ever go, park in the car park at the harbour and head left along the boardwalk. Their fish and chips win awards, and are gorgeous and their chicken wings ditto.

I am now drooling at the thought of all the lovely food I ate on that holiday. 

Food for thought though, as well as for the tum! It's amazing how gluten free awareness has come on. Where as a lot of supermarkets appear to be cutting their g-f selection (I do not believe its is because there is no call for it, as I have been told by some), restaurants and cafes are becoming more aware. Even though some can't offer it on the menu due to possible cross contamination. it seems that some are turning to g-f where possible. To those places a big heartfelt thank you

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing,

take care and happy reading.

Love, Raven xx

I've had a week off and loved it...

Some of you (I hope) might have noticed there was no blog last week. I hadn't gone fishing but I made a deliberate decision to take a week of and think. No adulting (that's a dream that wasn't realised but hey ho.) Not that I've done a lot of much, but I have been sightseeing, chatting, reading and generally chilling. Oh and of course, smelling the coffee.

The most I've written is a shopping list and a two postcards.

Now I'm ready to start writing again. I'm not sure what and I'm not sure where whatever I'm going to write will go, but I've got itchy fingers. That's a good sign.

But when I've got a view like this it gives me some fabulous ideas.

From that you might gather that last week I wasn't at home. This is Lake Scugog in Ontario, Canada where the lovely husband and I were. We visited our son and his partner and it was brilliant. They looked after us so well, and showed us around. 

It was strange not to have edits, or deadlines to think or stress about, but it did me the world of good. Then I remembered I have a book out in ten days and had a mini freak out.

The Renaissance of Baird Drummond is the last book in my Castle on the Loch series and is set Scotland and Wanaka in New Zealand, another place we loved when we visited just before covid. We got home 10 days before lock down... a bit of a fraught flight home I can tell you.

Anyway, Wanaka gave me the idea for this series, especially That Wanaka Tree.

Baird Drummond is the only one who can help his ancestors correct  wrong doings after Culloden.

It seems that a visit to Wanaka might just be the answer, but is Baird prepared for all the obstacles put in his way? And meet the person who might well be his one true love?

Only time will tell...

Full blurb and a chance to have a sneak peek on Totally Bound

 https://www.totallybound.com/book/the-renaissance-of-baird-drummond

Or Amazon.  https://amzn.to/3OPtXTy (uk)

https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Baird-Drummond-Castle-Loch-ebook/dp/B0BZFBKS91/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RUKR13U0O56B&keywords=Raven+McAllan&qid=1685880571&sprefix=raven+mcallan%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1

Whatever you choose to read, I hope you enjoy it. Take time to smell the coffee

Love Raven xxx

Perfect places—in my mind and in my life. Some I've visited some I haven't

 This blog is brought to you by the help of one of my friends, who when I said I had no idea for this weeks Raven's Ramblings she suggested I shared some of my favourite places, both ones visited and ones on my wish list

I liked the idea of that, until I realised how spoiled for choice I am.

I've been incredibly lucky to visit some amazing places over the years. That's me in Da Nang, Vietnam, a few years ago (just before covid lockdown) Where the lovely husband (henceforth to be LH in this blog) and I have been a couple of times. We stopped in a hotel by the beach and had some lovely walks on the sands. Not only that they made gluten free pumpkin bread for me.

It's no secret that I love Hong Kong and have spent many a happy hour over the years exploring. While the LH worked, I went all over the place with my travel pass. Stanley? No problem. Bus all the way. Or ferry and bus, or MTR and bus. I've done the lot. Kennedy Town? Use the trams. Sai Kung? Okay I go there with the LH but otherwise I've been explored the parks or just sat and watched the world go by next to the harbour and plotted a few books set there.

I've even met up with my ex hairdresser.

I've been lucky enough to visit New Zealand. Wanaka is definitely in my top ten list. I've even included the place in a couple of books... After all That Wanaka Tree is famous.

We visited a dark sky area, lots of wineries and crossed the Cook Straits by ferry on a luckily flat calm day.

Australia? Yes, and would love to go back again. The Great Ocean Road is a fabulous drive. 

Singapore? I love the place and hate the humidity. The stone cats on the quay are cute.

South Africa? Oh yes, definitely. We visit most years. I honestly have trouble picking my favourite places there. Knysna on the lagoon is brilliant. Great fish.

Franschhoek? Oh yes, the wine tram is a great way to visit the wineries for a tasting. 

Hout Bay? Beaches, breweries and an open top bus ride into Cape Town. 

I could go on and on but...

I'll go on to some other places instead.

Barbados? Everything about the island is interesting. Beach walks, plantation visits, learning the (not always nice) history. Can't seem to find my pics...

Closer to home, I reckon Venice was amazing, even when we had to wait on a crowded boat for an hour before we could set back to our hotel due to a thunderstorm. I still have a beautiful necklace of Murano glass.

 Even closer to home... Shaldon Devon, a lovely village at the mouth of an estuary, 

The Isle of Skye

My wish to go to list is endless. Canada, India, Mauritius, Northern Island,  are all on it. So are places I've been to briefly, some many years ago and would love to go back. Wales, Eire, Cornwall, the Dordogne. The English lakes... 

And that's it. I could go on and on but I won't. I know I've been very fortunate over the years. I've had the opportunity to visit places I dreamed of. Places not on my list because I could go on and on. Not always a sit in the sun holiday. Walking, reading, sightseeing, shivering, writing... I can and do write anywhere. I have fabulous memories, some scary ones as well. I am not one for heights!

But all in all, well, if it all has to stop tomorrow... I can pull out my memories as well as my photo's and think..wow

How lucky I am.

Wherever you are, take care and 

happy reading,

love Raven xx

Where I ponder about half full or half empty...

 I invested in a new fitness watch thingy this last week as my old one isn't really keeping its charge for long. (Probably sick of me checking it and exclaiming, "I must have walked further than that!"

(source, pinterest)

This new one is of course nothing like my old one. I installed the app and went through the list of do you, are you, will you, etcetera and did my best to answer the questions. I was tempted to miss out a few but the darned thing wouldn't let me.

Then I came to the bit where you have to say if you're a glass half full person or one who says half empty.

(source, pinterest)

That got me thinking. I read about who says what with interest, and wondered if it's true that saying half full means you're a more positive person than someone who says it's half empty.

I realise I say it's half full, (or it's still half full) until there's not a lot of whatever is in it, and then I'd say it's almost empty. That's me being literal, but what about in the grand scheme of things?

Definitely half full?

I went on to the next question. Am I happy, and the all of the time, some of the time etcetera. 

And to the next, and the next. And then I thought, half full or half empty, I need coffee!

By the time I'd finished I needed a full glass—and not of coffee!

However, it did make me realise that in general I'm happy with my lot. That I'm lucky I can do something I love—writing—accept there's things I have to do I don't—disturbing the dust bunnies, cleaning the shower—and tootle along in life, grateful for what I have.

(source, pinterest)

The fitness watch thingy, is on my wrist, no doubt tutting at what I should be doing and I'm not, and sighing, 'at last', when I do do something right. It's not managed to show me how it celebrates when I do the magic number of steps I should—I haven't managed that in the two days i've had it—and some of it's signs and symbols have me mystified. However, it's great as a torch when I get up to go to the loo in the middle of the night!

(If that's TMI, oops sorry)

Now if only I could read a book on it, I'd be sorted.

Happy reading, 

love, Raven xx

What I really want to know—why did he lie and who is Sarah?

 We've been away for a few days, and I had a rather interesting night...

Around two am I was woken by what sounded like people in the house. Footsteps, doors closing, people talking.

I of course being the brave woman thought should I get up and check?

Hmmm. 

I woke the lovely husband instead.

He, bless him did the mosey on down and check and found nothing. got back into bed and was soon fast off.

But I couldn't get to sleep. wondered what I'd heard.

Then around 3am I definitely could hear a loud—and occasionally not so loud conversation.

Him (let's call him Keith, Although I never heard her (we will call her Kath) say his name or him, hers.

Keith, "Okay I lied alright?"

(Me listening, because I couldn't help but listen. If I hadn't known better I'd have thought they were conducting their 'conversation' at the bottom of our bed) "no it definitely isn't right, mate."  (I only thought this, didn't say it. Maybe I should have.)

Kath....mutter, mutter..." You F***ed Sarah."

Keith. "It was...." mutter mutter.

Kath, "But Sarah."

Keith. "You didn't need to..."

Then there was a sort of silence.

Aha I thought, the've either moved rooms or given up. 

Ten minutes later.

Keith. "I told you, okay?"

Kath. "Bloody Sarah. Sc***ing Her. Why her?"

More mutters...

Silence

Ten minutes later.

Keith. "Can we just forget this? Yes I lied."

Kath (and me) "You must be joking."

Silence for about thirty seconds.

Kath. "It was not making love, but if it was why?"

Keith. mutter mutter. "so..." mutter mutter.

Kath. "Enough, Anyone but f*****g her."

(are we still talking about Sarah?)

Keith... "I did."

(did what I wonder)

4 am...

Silence.

Now the writer's imagination goes into overdrive. Will I see am ambulance next door? A police car? Lots of blue flashing lights? Someone in handcuffs? Should we have reported a disturbance?

The thing was neither Kath nor Keith sounded angry. Just loud.

Anyway around 9 am we saw them head out together...

I wonder who Sarah is and why he lied... and what happened next?

Not a peep out of them the following night and we enjoyed our few days at the coast

Sadly not this one, but hey ho!

Happy reading

love Raven xxx

Ps I know a lot of people can't comment on here for some reason (probably because I'm not very techno-savvy,) but feel free to comment on Goodreads. Thanks.