Regularly visited by bouts of insomnia I’m no stranger to the small hours. I wouldn’t describe it as productive time; although when else am I going to revisit every slightly awkward conversation I have ever had or every minor (and not so minor) mistake I have ever made? In short, I’m used to being awake at the crack of dawn, but being awake, dressed and … Continue reading Marking the dawn of a new day
This week some of my favourite podcasts are returning from their summer hiatus so I thought it timely to share them with you. I’m a late, but enthusiastic podcast adopter. I started with Serial (who didn’t?) but it wasn’t until last year when, faced with another house renovation project, I fancied something other than the radio to drown out the sound of floorboards being sanded. … Continue reading The podcasts that keep me reading
Himself has taken to watching dull TV programmes in bed. I had assumed this was part of a strategy to combat late-night insomnia and bore himself to sleep, but it turns out he quite enjoys them. Given that in recent weeks I have drifted off to the low-volume mumbles of several of the shows the channel Yesterday has to offer, you’ll be as surprised as … Continue reading Boat trip to the Maunsell Fort
Today is my dog’s Gotcha Day. Being a rescue dog, we don’t know his actual date of birth so instead, like many other adopters, we mark the day we welcomed him into our home. I remember that day – seven years go – vividly. He charged into the lounge, running across the sofa at 100mph before landing with a thud and looking at me expectantly. … Continue reading Adopt, Don’t Shop: Could you give a rescue dog a home?
I studied history to A-level, which means eight years of lessons in total. Throughout this time, I failed to get excited about a single treaty-signing, nor could I remember any significant dates or locations (apologies to Mr Pugh, who remained cheerful despite my shortcomings). What really interested me were the stories of the people involved in each battle, famine and revolution. History lessons offered a … Continue reading Ramsgate Tunnels blackout tour – life underground during WWII
If you’re around my age, ‘backing books’ will conjure up images of wrestling your school set texts into jackets of brown paper (or Fablon if you were a bit posh). But, this isn’t a post about the merits of attempting to protect the cover of your already dog-eared Tricolore. Last year, author Caitlin Davies spoke at the Margate Bookie literary festival. She told the story … Continue reading Crowdfunding authors: Backing books I want to read
My name is Gemma and I’m a reading addict, so I have joined a support group. Well, I’ve joined Bee’s Bookshare in Margate, which I reckon will be kind of the same thing. I love reading. When I’m organised, I can easily read a book a week, if not more. I achieve this by being generally antisocial (reading while eating, reading while travelling) and it … Continue reading Today I joined a book group
Come with me, and you’ll be, in a world of pure imagination If you’ve ever watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and wondered what it might be like to dive headfirst into Willy Wonka’s river of chocolate, One Aldwych can provide the answer. The 5-star hotel has offered variations on its scrumdiddlyumptious themed afternoon tea (a chocolate spread, you could say) for a good three … Continue reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea
I work a lot of hours. A LOT of hours. But before you produce a tiny violin, this is mostly my own fault. Like many self-employed people there’s a part of my brain which constantly asks me what more I could be doing on my jobs, what more I could be learning to develop myself. I also have ‘perfectionist tendencies’; a man who knows more … Continue reading A week in Crete: Pushing the reset button
I have been to a fair few sporting events – mostly football and athletics – but my first experience of American ice hockey (seemingly just ‘hockey’ if you’re local) must be the most unique. Wanting to see something new during our holiday to Florida, hockey looked to be our best option; shorter and less complicated than, for example, American football, while giving us an opportunity … Continue reading Go Blades! My first hockey experience
Gem's Things 