place

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by

Kate Davies Designs
in

There are two places in the world I miss when I’m not there. One is Philadelphia. I love Philly. Present location excepted, it is my all-time favourite city, and a truly great place to live. Part of the reason I am preoccupied with it it is because I’m writing a book about it. (Well, I’m writing a book about eighteenth-century Philadelphia). But twenty-first century Philly is just as good. It is more than a year since I have been there, but in my mind, I am often walking in Philadelphia, in both its federalist and more recent incarnations.


Charles Wilson Peale, The Accident in Lombard Street. Philadelphia. 1787

The other place I often miss is here in Scotland. Every year, when the gorse starts to turn yellow in early Spring I think: when shall we go? Now? Can we go now? How about right now? We can only make it over there once or twice a year, and this is never quite enough for me. I shall not get too rhapsodic. But soon I will really be there! Magic!

I leave you with a picture of the truly amazing cherry clafoutis we ate last night. Cherries are good right now, and Mr B is currently experimenting with different clafoutis recipes. I am happy to be the taster. I believe this one came from Raymond Blanc. It is damn fine.

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Comments

15 responses to “place”

  1. sakurasnow Avatar
    sakurasnow

    Islay looks beautiful – enjoy!
    On an unrelated note I have had the hardest time finding good, strong tea since leaving the shores of England for Amsterdam almost a year ago, and am starting to think I might actually kill for a decent cuppa. Would you consider doing a swap – a box of Yorkshire teabags for a ‘curiosity cabinet’ cushion?

    Reply
  2. Felix Avatar
    Felix

    I am enjoying verra verra verra black Yorkshire Tea, loose-leaf, on your reccommendation! I assume this post means you have a holiday planned. May it be blissful for you and Mr B.
    xxx

    Reply
  3. JoannaD Avatar
    JoannaD

    We have just returned from our first family holiday in Scotland, which included a week on Mull, and I tell you, I WEPT the night before we left. In addition, our younger daughter says she has left ‘a piece of her heart’ on Iona. I used to think the kind of attachment to place you describe was built up over time, with repeated visits or an extended stay, but now I know it is also possible to be swept off your feet in a single visit. We will be back in the Hebrides next year, I am sure of it.

    Reply
  4. SAS Avatar
    SAS

    I enjoyed the interesting mix of elements here, writing a book, missing a place … hoping to visit another place of longing and filling ye old stomach with something delicious. A very personal account of something so well stated (written). The sense of YOU through all is really strong.

    Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Hope you have a great holiday! That cherry clafoutis looks delish, love that stuff:)

    Reply
  6. jude Avatar
    jude

    missing things is like being there in a way. enjoy.

    Reply
  7. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    Have a great time in Jura and Islay. If you find yourself in the vicinity of Ardbeg ….. ahhhhh. Ardbeg – lovely stuff. Enjoy the otters if you see them.

    Reply
  8. wazzuki Avatar
    wazzuki

    Yep — Islay and Jura. Hurrah!
    Yorkshire tea is indeed black. It is the BEST tea.

    Reply
  9. jeannette Avatar
    jeannette

    yorkshire tea? is it verra verra verra black?

    Reply
  10. mick Avatar
    mick

    That’s so funny that you love Philly. I grew up about 5 minutes southeast of Philly, and I definitely miss it too. It’s such a great city with so much history, and jeez oh man, the food! How I miss the food…

    Reply
  11. birdwoman Avatar
    birdwoman

    I assume from the name of the jpeg that’s Jura? I’ve never been there (although I do like the whisky…) but I did go to Skye in April and that had much the same effect on me. Absolutely magical. I can’t wait to go back there – the Cuillins are calling me! I take it you’re off on your holidays soon then?

    Reply
  12. Jessie Avatar
    Jessie

    I know what you mean about Scotland. I lived there for a year and would move there in a minute! I love Philly, too…my roots are there.

    Reply
  13. Lara Avatar
    Lara

    oooh – cherry clafoutis. I have only used one recipe from the Waitrose website which uses pale ale in it but is really tasty but I’d like to try others. Look forward to more pudding updates – I am very impressed with Mr B experimentation. It looks lovely against the Yorkshire teapot too. (I miss Cornwall – especially Isles of Scilly and this year is my first year without an annual trip planned). Hmmm.

    Reply
  14. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    Oh, I want to hear more about your book on Philly!

    And, the clafoutis looks wonderful – Yum!

    Reply
  15. Mule Avatar
    Mule

    Mule want CHERRY PIE!!!!

    Reply

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