A day for the ducks…

Every duck must have it’s day. And the annual duck race on the Luggie was to be no exception.

Even with the forecast a bit fowl there was no ducking out of it, as spectators flocked to the banks to cheer those ducks on. It was no ordinary Easter Monday – this was a going to be a quackstravaganza in Waterside with kids activities, raffles and the highlight being the duck race itself.

And it was a quacking good race! The crowd went absolutely beak-onkers as the ducks floated past, with a feather-ruffling finish that had everyone on edge. But in the end the winner was 327 by a beak…

Ach it was a waddleful day… here’s hoping next year’s race is equally quack-tastic.

(Apologies – but I’m just winging it for content just now. Maybe I’m just mallard-justed 😂)

Videoclip: Duck Race

Or you can watch the video here

Planes, trains and automobiles....

And bikes, boats, trams, cars, canoes and feet...

And that’s how we rolled around the Netherlands. A true medley of transport.

Our primary reason to visit the flatlands was to see my niece and her husband (hoorah!), Chloe and Alex. Chloe just happened to be conducting a family concert of Cinderella (Assepoester) at The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in the Easter holidays, so we needed little more excuse than that to plan a trip. And blessed with sunshine the whole week we had a simply marvellous time.

We had boat, bike and foot tours of Amsterdam. Much time was spent in the beautiful and bohemian city of Utrecht including a canal trip round the canals, and we had a stunning day at the world’s greatest Spring garden in Keukenhof. But mainly we just spent lovely time with Chloe and Alex, and with each other when they weren’t there. And I must say a massive thanks to C&A for being such amazing hosts, tour guides and all-round entertainters💗.

We also ate far too well, including sampling bitterballen, stroopwafel, broodjes, appeltaart and pannekoeken; as well as having some wonderful Indonesian, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine. Utrecht is a really cool and gorgeous city. It's small enough to walk around the centre and admire all the independent shops and cafes, yet large enough to get lost whilst absorbing it's beauty, laid back feel and vibrant atmosphere. Highly recommend a visit if you’ve not been. 

And then the bike tour in Amsterdam left me simply flabbergasted at the power of the bike when streetscapes and regulations are properly thought through, and the gardens at Keukenhof was a sensory cornucopia. Above all everything in the Netherlands just really worked well. It was really clean, slightly quirky and innovative. There were many things I'd love to replicate back here.

So whilst I loved the whole trip, it was another reminder of the cracks that are really starting to appear in the UK’s offerings. In the last few years I’ve been to a number of different European destinations and each one has left a similar impression on me. Fundamentally our streets seem to be losing their diversity and vibrancy; they’re becoming less places for people to enjoy and thrive in, and our culture seems to be losing its focus on civilisation. I don’t propose to wax lyrical about the reasons I think this is happening, suffice to say though we’ve much to learn from Europe and need to turn our ship around before we fall further and further behind.

Planes

Trains

And concerts...

With the star, Chloe

Enjoying the guided tour on Amsterdams canals

Big and little kids

The crew at Kasteel de Haar

Reflections

Growing up

Canoe Crew

Fully immersed in the exciting tourist experience

Miffy (Nijntje) Museum!

Enjoying Miffy 😉

Keukenhof

Flowers

Apparently its true...

Utrecht

A bicycle made for two

Thank you Netherlands. We'd loved you...

Food, glorious food...

Food is more than just fuel – it’s a fundamental part of our identity, culture, and daily rituals. From the comfort of a home-cooked meal to the joy of sharing a feast with loved ones, food connects us in ways we often overlook. We interact with it every day, whether we're planning or shopping for meals, experimenting with new recipes, or simply enjoying some forbidden snacks. It’s always there, shaping our routines, fuelling our bodies, and offering moments of pleasure, connection, and even creativity.

Food is a big part of our lives, and last weekend I was very much reminded what a fundamental part it plays. First up I had a sneaky ‘day date’ with Tanya as we hot-footed to our old stomping ground in the West End of Glasgow. Apart from looking round old haunts we stopped for a sneaky patisserie before our final destination of 111 by Modou. We were on the Critics Choice menu – 5 undisclosed courses for £25, and we got to guess the ingredients and rate each of them. I have to say the service was wonderful; really relaxed, informative and friendly. Our guessing skills weren’t too bad either, and I reckon we were 80% right as we worked our way through the menu. The food was remarkable too – each dish having a slight twist that you wouldn’t have expected – and it was a total joy to be presented with dishes that you didn’t choose, particularly as we often all opt for similar things. Highly recommended.

That evening Tanya toddled off for her own Masterclass at a PTA event at Lenzie Academy. It was hosted by Scotland's own National Chef (I didn't even know we had one) and former winner of Masterchef: The Professionals, Gary Maclean. He's apparently a really down to earth, inspirational guy. Passionate about food and passionate about giving everyone access to really good food. He does loads of work championing all thats great about food, in particular Scottish food. Find out more about him here.

And the next day was equally food-tastic as I got to go on my xmas present of a course at Kirky’s own cookschool – The Ramekin and Rolling Pin. I’d plumped for Malaysian Street Food but I got more than the standard Nasi Goreng with a curry, salad, and a side to boot. It was a great experience and lovely to see people from all over visiting Kirky for what I’m sure was an experience enjoyed by all. Certainly the family loved my offerings that I bought home! And in none related food news I then experienced more of Kirky’s finest, taking Emily to see 2 plays at our tiny, local theatre. The theatrical offerings were the Kirky Players adult and youth entries into Scotland’s drama awards (which we often win), and both absolutely blew me away. Go Kirky!

And the final food offering was fuel for long distance cycling as I’m training for Etape Caledonia in May. Between chatgpt, Tanya and Niomi they’d whipped me up some high energy flapjacks which hit the spot. Thanks to them! Not only that, Tanya has also been very busy utilising her xmas cookbooks recently, and we’ve been treated to eating our way round Vietnam and many other countries from around the world.

So yes, food is fuel but its also exciting, creative and fun. Something we should all savour and indulge ourselves in far more; taking the time to appreciate its huge diversity in taste, and where it comes from both physically and culturally.

The winner of the Critics Choice!

A profiterole for starter?

In case you want to check it out

3 budding masterchefs

The recipe to Malaysian success

The Ramekin and Rolling Pin

Eighteen...

Not quite 2 years ago, Ly came into our lives. She arrived a quiet, shy, barely 16 year old who spoke no English. Since then so very much has changed. She is now a fun, effervescent, happy go lucky 18 year old, ready to embrace life in the UK. Her English is now pretty good and she has a real spirit of adventure about her. It really can’t have been a very easy 2 years – so many new and strange things to learn – not least navigating school, college, work and now learning to drive. What’s amazed me is her spirit and bravery. And I'm really proud of her of for that. She has risen to all the challenges thrown at her and we love having her live with us as part of the family.

And as she turned 18 we celebrated with a party for all her friends – and honestly, what a lovely, lovely bunch of young people. So polite, well mannered, helpful and up for a good time. They were all a pleasure to host. We had a lot of fun. All the guests wore black (with the odd exception) and the birthday girl wore white. Lots of gorgeous food cooked by Ly and her friend, then a photo booth, games, karaoke and an amazing cake made by T. We all had a total blast! 

And then was her actual birthday with presents galore, a japanese meal and yes, more cake!

Happy 18th Birthday Ly!!

The birthday girl

The cooks

Gorgeous girls

The old timers

17 for dinner

Photo booth fun

Let the games begin...

Girl power!

Cake!!

Videoclip: 18th Birthday...

Or you can watch the video here

Surprise, surprise...

February is always a big month for us. Having bought extra annual leave this year, for once I managed to get away with the kids at half term for a wonderful short break in Banchory, before we continued February's party theme with T's birthday. I'd managed to plan a surprise day out with a foodie trip to Nick Nairn's at Port of Menteith for lunch, followed by a walk-it-off round Loch Ard, then a rock-tastic Snow Patrol at the Hydro in the evening. Well at least two out of three were successful - the walk was, err, somewhat drenching, but an awesome singalong Snow Patrol gig soon knocked that out of us.

Then the next day was Nana and Baba's 60th anniversary of meeting. And more surprises were in store as we'd planned a family party following Rosie's Uni dance show. I have to say I was blown away by the dancing, and I think Nana and Baba were equally blown away by the party. There was great food, great banter and some great games to keep everyone giggling away.

And surprise, surprise all of this was tremendous fun to give winter a final boot.

February may be winter's end but we have lots to be grateful for in the Rooke house. And party season is not over yet... next up is Ly's 18th!!

Food-tastic at Nick Nairn's

En route to Snow Patrol

Videoclip: Snow Patrol

Or you can watch the video here

Videoclip: Glasgow Uni Dance Show

Or you can watch the video here

(For Rosie spotters she's bottom left corner in the third dance clip)

All the family minus Rosie

Still having fun 60 years on

Fierce, feisty and a little bit flighty…

The last few weeks has seen some strong, independent and unconventional women rule the roost in the Rooke house. First up was Eowyn. Her role in Lord of the Rings saw her as a fierce independent soul not one for doing as she was told – and when Storm Eowyn hit it was pretty much like that. The winds blew with some force, rattling us as hard as I can remember. Thankfully bar a few things broken and a few roof tiles missing we escaped a little better than Tolkien’s character, but it was quite a day and night. The video below was taken a good hour or so before it’s peak and really doesn’t do justice to the ferocity of it all.

And then came Niomi’s tenth birthday. She’s a feisty character at times, full of unconventional fun, mischief and ferocity when the mood takes her. You’d never know that from her party at Build-A-Bear however, with her and two friends all coming back with wonderful new stuffed toys. But whilst ‘Bubblegum’ has been the new favourite in Niomi’s ever increasing cuddly toy parade – the highlight present has to be a mobile phone and a portable speaker and shower speaker. She must have said at least 100 times how much she loved her new phone. So despite not having a SIM card or any access to social media – her glorified tv screen seems to be keeping her much amused and feeling very grown up.

In between times there's also been a feisty performance from KT Tunstall doing a 20th anniversary concert of Eye to the Telescope in Celtic Connections, and a definitely flighty performance by both T and I at Viv and Liams 50th birthday. Quite the party it was as we danced the night away.

Then last up was another solid role model in the shape of the flighty and feisty Mary Poppins. We all took a trip over to Edinburgh to see the musical and, if you’ve not seen it, it comes highly recommended. We do love a musical in the Rooke house and Mary Poppins was up there with our favourites – a really great day out for the 5 of us, topped off with some excellent food at Home Noodles opposite the Festival Theatre recommended by Ly.

So, I’ve been feeling a little bit in the shade surrounded by all these strong women – and with more birthdays for the ladies in my life coming up that’s likely to continue for a few more weeks yet.

Videoclip: Storm Eowyn

Or you can watch the video here

Happy mobile 10th birthday face

Birthday lego

Videoclip: 10th Birthday

Or you can watch the video here

Definitely flighty at the golden party

Eat, sleep, ski, repeat...

An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman went on holiday to Megeve. They did a lot of skiing, and a bit of eating and sleeping too. Oh and they drank the odd beer as well. It was a total blast.

Megeve is seriously upmarket. They were selling wine for 1,500 euros in the local supermarket and there was a visiting supercar event. Our wallets didn't really fit amongst the Prada ski crowd, but we found our way to some less pricey spots whilst still enjoying Megeve's beauty and many charms. And we really lucked out weather wise - it was Bluebird days every day, with the snow in almost perfect condition.

Skiing is such a good holiday - really good for the soul in the heart of winter. Thanks to my 'walking joke' companians - Liam and Gordy. And sorry to poor old Colin who missed out at the last minute yet again.

Megeve

Mont Blanc

A Scotsman, Englishman and Irishman

Biggest ski-day ever

Videclip: Eat, sleep, ski, repeat...

Or you can watch the video here

Video courtesy of Gordy!