The Wanderlust Issue #11
April 2025 // Garden swag, record store shopping, bluebells, table tennis paddles and chips by the sea.
Welcome to Issue #11 of The Wanderlust, my monthly zine where I share what I’m up to, encourage you to dance, wander and explore and discover amazing new creative talent. I delve into my photo archives, share snippets from my travel journals and drop in the odd freebie. So if you know someone who you think might like this, feel free to share it with them.
It’s been 3 weeks since I published my first ‘proper’ post as part of my new Moments journal. In it I share the story behind some shots of Glen Affric from many years ago. I had intended to have my next issue out last week but the amazing sunshine we had was too good to pass up so I’ve been spending all my spare time working in my garden (more on that in the Lust List).
In Issue #9 I added the Loch Garten trail at Boat of Garten to my Wander List. We headed up there a couple of weeks ago, staying at the Boat Country Inn and had a lovely couple of days in Speyside before driving back down through the Cairngorms, over the Lecht Pass, with a stop in at Goodbrand and Ross for a coffee and cake refuel. It’s one of my favourite drives up there!
Last weekend we took a day trip to Dundee and Angus. I’ve put together a little day out for you below with coffee, lunch and spots to stop and stroll, finishing up with a chippie dinner by the sea.
Time to read: 5 mins
Time to dance: 5 mins 49 secs
All the good weather we had at the start of the month has brought many things into bloom faster. My crab apple is in blossom 2 weeks earlier than normal, so I’m guessing that we won’t have to wait until May for the bluebells. There are loads of places to see them. Discover Scottish Gardens has a good list here. I’ll be opting for Kinclaven Woodland, Ardmaddy Castle, Kirklands Garden and Teasses.
I visited the Cotswolds last year and it would be lovely to be back there again while the Wisteria is in bloom but, I hear that there are loads of spots in Edinburgh too so I’ll be grabbing a coffee (most likely from Cairngorm as their espresso tonic is amazing) and heading for a stroll around the city’s streets. This blog has a great list of areas and I’ve never been to Newhaven before so that’s now on the list.
TOPSP!N is an exhibition in Glasgow bringing together artists and table tennis paddles (stick with me) to create unique works of art. The exhibition runs until the 27th of April and all the paddles are available for sale through a silent auction. You can read more here and view some of the artwork.
I’ve spent the last 3 years working on my garden bit by bit and finally feel like it’s (almost) finished so this month’s lust list is all about those finishing touches.
Bornn Enamelware have been on my list for a long time and now that I have a patio seating area with a table and chairs, their Colorama collection will be the perfect tableware for summer.
I’ve followed Kitty McCall for years and love her bold floral prints. (You might remember the crackers I mentioned before Christmas last year.) I need some seat pads to make the metal dining chairs I’ve bought a bit more comfy and I’m thinking about making them myself using her Summer Garden fabric.
The table wouldn’t be complete without some placemats and ethical brand The Jacksons have a really fun range of colourful jute designs. You won’t be surprised to hear that I love the coral ones. Their checkerboard napkin rings would finish off the place settings nicely too.
Sage and Clare are another brand I’ve been following for years, adding all sorts to my list. Their nostalgic bold patterns have a slightly bohemian vibe which is perfect if you like an eclectic mix of textiles. My current favourite is their Brae Knit Blanket with a nod to retro style and perfect to curl up with on chillier evenings.
We just had a lovely day up in Dundee and along the Angus coast so I’ve created a day trip itinerary for you so you can enjoy a day out there too.
Base yourself in Dundee and start with coffee in EH9 before hopping across the road to have a browse in Le Freak and Kist. Head further into town for more records at Assai and 13 or a look around the V&A shop. Stop for lunch at The Bach (my current favourite lunch spot in Dundee) for some Kiwi flavour. Make your way along to the pretty town of Broughty Ferry and spend some time browsing its many shops. Grab an ice cream at Visocchi's Café and stroll over to the castle or along the promenade with views over to Tayport and Tentsmuir Point. Head along the coast through Carnoustie and Arbroath to Lunan Bay beach with its huge sand dunes and cliffs and the ruins of Red Castle overlooking the bay. From here you can either head North a little further to Montrose and finish the day with fish and chips from Chips ‘N’ Things or retrace your steps South to Arbroath for a chippie at the colourful harbour.
A slightly more mellow one this month but one of my absolute favs, Oh Baby by LCD Soundsystem.
Don’t fancy a boogie? Then chill to this from The Teskey Brothers (because it’s raining as I type this).
🥰 Gutted I’ll miss the paddle exhibition but plenty other things to explore from your list! 🙌🥳