alcohol

When should children drink alcohol?

September 19, 2016 By Ellen

Now before you get all hot under the collar and suggest I’m advocating child abuse, would you like a drink? A refreshing G&T or perhaps a glass of something cold and white? You deserve one, it’s been a tough day. There’s something I’ve been struggling with. Here in Scotland, booze is a problem. It costs […]

Poetry is not the most important thing in life… I’d much rather lie in a hot bath reading Agatha Christie and sucking sweets

October 28, 2014 By Ellen

It’s quiet and I’ve sneaked off to write a blog post. You know how inspiration is as easy to catch as the reason you went up stairs in the first place, and just as frustrating. But I’m happy. All week I’ve had a hankering to listen to some Richard Burton doing some Dylan Thomas. The […]

Gazza and me, there’s nothing in the stars

February 9, 2013 By Ellen

It’s pitiful, isn’t it? That footage of former footballing hero, and now washed-up drunk, Paul Gascoigne shaking and swearing his way through a pubic appearance.Above the shocked gasps the sound of a wagon accelerating rapidly away could clearly be heard. Gazza’s on the pop again.So what? Another fallen star who can’t seem to say no to […]

Me and Bridget Jones: BFF until I became a Smug Married

March 5, 2011 By Ellen

I am horrified to learn movie types are planning a third Bridget Jones movie and that Renee Zellweger has agreed to reprise the lead, but only if they let her do it skinny. On the face of it the idea of a bony Bridget is bad enough. We loved her because she looked, well, normal […]