I have looked at the new Day One Gold Subscription plan and I’m not sure I see it adding much value. With no reviews yet it’s hard to judge objectively.

Over on the big blog I updated (or remixed) an old post from 2012 about the principles I try to follow when I buy stuff.

I’d welcome any feedback on it.

Edinburgh now has a dedicated gluten-free bakery. It’s called Confelicity and I tried it yesterday and it’s great!

My ‘salt cellar’ by Tsubota Aya arrived early and it’s a delightful thing to use in cooking.

To Dundee, and a quick catch-up with the Master Animator. It’s always good to see their work in progress.

Updated my ‘now’ page.

I’m still amazed I can do this on my phone while sitting on a train.

I’m also contractually obliged to confirm that I am also looking forward to seeing daughter no. 1 (the Master Animator) in about one hour.

UK stamps are so boring compared to other nations’.

In all my years living in Scotland and drinking gin and tonic, I have never been afflicted with malaria. QED!

In stationery news my A6 pocket notebooks arrived today. From MARK + FOLD in London

The orange one is glorious.

The Ardnamurchan Distillery Heritage Barley Release is one of my new favourites. Lovely flavours of digestive biscuits, marzipan and melted butter.

Although I really like using Field Notes notebooks as they are a great size, sometimes the paper is AWFUL with fountain pens.

Watching ‘Bait’ with Riz Ahmed and I think I spot an architectural Easter egg. Our hero is auditioning to be the next James Bond and lives in Trellick Tower, designed by architect Ernő Goldfinger.

I’m reading the most recent Haruki Murakami novel. I used to love his books but I’ve found the last few quite disappointing. I think it’s that they haven’t surprised — they’ve been MURAKAMI novels.

I occasionally think about writing about products that I use that have really stood the test of time. This lovely thing would have to be one of the earliest candidates. Nearly 45 years old and still going strong!

A cheeky wee negroni in my ‘Bladerunner’ style glass. 700g of stainless steel.

We’re enjoying the gift of a couple of lovely chocolate bars from Heist Chocolate.

First of this year’s homemade wild garlic pesto. Wild garlic, walnuts and pistachios, with local Anster cheese.

It’s one of my favourite times of year for cooking food. British asparagus is starting to appear, and today I’m making my wild garlic pesto that I usually make a couple of times at this time of year.

Listening to music on shuffle and some of my favourite dark lyrics came to the surface.

Seen in the way to work today.

I’m currently having a play with Wispr Flow and Monologue on iOS, not with any intention to use them, just curiosity to see if they have any value.

I’m currently having a play with Wispr Flow and Monologue on iOS, not with any intention to use them, just curiosity to see if they have any value.

I really enjoy using the Postcrossing service and I’ve received some lovely messages

Occasionally recipient’s profiles are overly prescriptive in what they do/don’t want sent to them. That takes a little of the pleasure away because I feel I have less freedom and may disappoint them with my choices

Sheltering from the rain with a new book. And a pint of Loch Leven King Slayer.

Seen in Edinburgh