The Big Breakfast.

I have been a Coeliac (gluten free freak) for about 15 years now. In this time the availability of gluten free food in the shops has increased massively and the choice of snacky treats is definitely getting better, some are even tasty!

The food labelling for allergens has also become much clearer, which is not only good for me but excellent for other people who may be trying to feed me.

Restaurants in the UK, in my opinion, have been slow to catch up with the change of dietary needs within the population and I am always very wary when eating out, so when I see a menu with GF written next to items, I still get stupidly excited.

This weekend contained one of those excited moments. For a little change to our normal busy weekend schedule, we decided to go out for breakfast on Saturday morning. After dropping off my bike at the shop for a well overdue service, we drove into town to Urban Angel on Forth Street.  I had checked the menu on the web the night before and they had a good assortment of delights to choose from so was looking forward to my breakfast.

After a quick look at the menu and a double check of what they could offer I decided to go with the same as my lovely companion. French toast with organic bacon and maple syrup!

To say that it was fantastically, mouth wateringly tasty is an under statement. I honestly thought I had died and gone to heaven. Such a simple dish to make, but the fact that I could order the same as a non gluten free person was so pleasing.

Obviously this could be easy, even for me, to make at home but the added decadence of going out for breakfast was just lovely. It's true that life is about enjoying the little things and for me those little things often revolve around food.

I did not take a photo of my delicious food so here is a rainbow instead.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey

Sometimes.

Sometimes there are days that feel like this,

Then somebody gives you one of these,

Then you smile and the day seems not too bad. Thanks T x.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

Sofas and Squelching.

I have been on holiday from work this week and once again it has been filled with home decor stuff, but finally it is finished. The final pieces of the jigsaw fell beautifully into place this week with the delivery of various furnishings falling back to back. The piece de resistance of course being my rainbow stripey suite. Quite possibly the best thing ever bought.

A friend photoshopped my original picture. Fantastic.

Sofa climbing.

The other fun thing this week was a head torch 10k run round Dalkeith Country Park. It was quite possibly the most miserable night of the week, wet, windy and cold, but once we got going it was fine. Lots of fellow running nutters to keep us company. In fact I loved it, lots of mud and a totally different running experience. A very well organised event by the Tri Centre, thoroughly enjoyable.

Pre race trying to stay warm in the car.

Very muddy trainers.

Peace x

All photos by Caroline Harvey

Castles and Rainbows.

I know the week is not quite finished yet, but it has been another busy one. More mileage in my van, or Morrison, as I like to call him.

 My Monday started with an overnight trip up to Kyle of Lochalsh. The weather was slightly more gray than the last time I went through Glen Coe, but still a stunning drive. Not so stunning was the B&B I stayed in. I can not imagine what tourists must think when they come to stay and happen to come across a B&B of this ilk. The owner was decidedly strange, the decor was a cross between the 60's, 70's and a car boot sale, it smelt slightly damp and the toilet was on the landing and shared with the rest of the visitors. Thankfully I was saved from a lonesome evening of talking to myself, by Billy, an electrician from Kinross who had similar thoughts to me upon arrival. Wickerman! After signing in we escaped to the nearest pub for a wee drink, food and some good old banter.

In the morning, after not a great nights sleep due to a single bed, rustling plastic mattress cover and sleeping in my clothes (incase a quick escape was necessary) I headed to my first port of call at Eilean Donan Castle.

 Breakfast + castle + rainbow = happy Caroline.

Loch Cluanie (I think).

Eilean Donan.

At dusk.

Happy.

Mirror, signal, rainbow.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

Stationary colours.

My photo a day task is starting to prove quite tricky. When you mostly do the same routine and go to the same places each day, you really do have to think of what else to take a photo of, especially if you are pushed for time. The last three days I have continued with my rainbow colour theme and tried just to find things that I have in the house. Below is what I have found so far, not too exciting but cheap and quick.

Clips of colour.

Tacks.

Pencils.

Short red.

Colour by numbers.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

Rainbow II

I love rainbows and I love stripes.

I got a message recently from a very dear friend that really warmed my heart, but something she said made me wonder about the extent of my rainbow collection. Below is a taster!

A fabulous look I am sure you will agree. Mmmm maybe not.

Too much?

To add to my collection I bought this today.

Rainbow mug.

P.S I changed clothes before I went out for lunch.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey

Rainbow.

A Moray Firth rainbow.

"They had no way of knowing the colour of her eyes;

she wore them closed most of the time.

So when the left one accidently cracked open;

they were stunned to see a rainbow."

Susan Mrosek

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.