Alan Russell
Bio
When you read my words they may not be perfect but I hope they:
1. Engage you
2. Entertain you
3. At least make you smile (Omar's Diaries) or
4. Think about this crazy world we live in and
5. Never accept anything at face value
Stories (207/0)
The Royal Oak, Marlborough, Wiltshire
There is something louche about Marlborough in Wiltshire. Not in a sleazy West End backstreet strip club sort of way. But as a place that feels purposefully relaxed, making it a good stepping off point between where we live in Ringwood and wherever we are going in the west of England.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in Feast
Jay Rayner—'Wasted Calories and Ruined Nights'
For those of you reading this from beyond the shores of the UK who are not familiar with the name ‘Jay Rayner,’ he is one of our most prominent and recognisable food critics. He writes a weekly restaurant review in The Observer, is a guest judge on Master Chef on the BBC and hosts a regular programme called the Kitchen Cabinet on BBC Radio 4.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in Feast
Walking with Rainbow - Feb. 24, 2019
First, let me introduce you to "Rainbow." Rainbow is our 31-year-old—yes 31—coloured pony who has been a part of our family for roughly 29 years. In that time, she has hunted, shown under saddle and in hand, taken part in dressage competitions and of course has hacked out. She has been an absolute monster to ride sometimes. She has taken a hold with me on board a couple of times, put her head almost between her front legs from which there is very little return for the rider and gone off like a two-year old doing a five-furlong sprint. She is a true survivor having been very close to being put to sleep as a result of the dreaded laminitis.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in Petlife
Fleur de Lis Tearooms
In an ocean filled with the tepid waters of mediocrity, the cold, the tired, and the hungry can sometimes by pure chance find themselves washed up on the shores of paradisiacal island of warmth and welcome. We found just such a place without getting our feet wet.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in Feast
The Boat House, St. Aubin's Jersey
The pace counter on my phone showed I had covered about 10,000 steps bashing the beach since breakfast at the Somerville Hotel, meeting Barry on the beach with his three dogs, walking out to St. Aubin’s Fort and making it back to higher ground just minutes before the causeway was covered with incoming ocean. I think I deserved some lunch, comfort food specifically, to replace those expended calories.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in Feast
Bashing the Beach in St Aubin's
Starting the Morning's Adventures From where we were having breakfast at the Somerville Hotel we could fully appreciate the wide sweeping arc of St Aubin’s Bay as it stretched around to St Helier. The buildings waiting and watching for the tide to come back in glinted in the sun. The beach was a pale pastel yellow that only Turner could do any artistic justice to. The water was a pale wash of green and blue with a border of pure white where the waves hit the shore. This was too good a day for staying in.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in Wander
The Somerville Hotel, St. Aubin's, Jersey
Arrival After meeting my wife at the bus stop in St. Aubin’s, we took a short walk along the sea front where restaurants looked out over the harbour. Then up a steep hill and there at the top of the hill the welcoming lights of the Somerville Hotel. And thankfully, it was as warm as I had hoped back at the bus stop back in St. Helier.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in Wander
Jersey Revisited
The X15 soon had me transported from the airport to the bus station in St Helier. Where the buses offload their passengers, the lighting is similar to Security in Southampton Airport that I had passed through about 90 minutes ago. Inside the cavernous hall are a few inquiry desks and some seating in the same design as at the airport. All designed to let bus passengers know they are welcome to spend even less time here than back at the airport.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in Wander