“If a treat is available it should be indulged,” Pre-lockdown Boulangerie Jade review
So many places in blackheath have been so good at their social distancing that we decided to do the ‘trip before lockdown’ experience, so long as we could be sure it was safe. Now, a ‘Trip Before...
Review of Wisley Gardens… and environs
In June, we discovered the RHS gardens. Can’t remember why. Think I saw it on someone’s instagram. We packed fake fizz and I made an artichoke and thyme pizza and apple cake and we ventured out into...
Book Launch of “Helen and the Grandbees”
Some youtube videos from the launch event... Reading from Helen and the Grandbees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBsEYk0JM90 Interview with award winning author, Alistair Jones:...
The Homestead Cafe at Beckenham Place
Beckenham Place (which I have for some reason consistently been referring to as a Palace... c’mon, it has an outdoor swimming lake - that’s palatial) has stolen my heart with a paper cup. I...
HELEN & THE GRANDBEES
A little diversion for the blog today as my my novel “Helen and the Grandbees” based in south east London has just hit publication date... Buy Helen and the Grandbees...
Tila Deptford
I’m duty bound to write about Tila.. because despite the food being delicious, there was no one else there... no one to admire the wood fire and the relaxed decor. This is wrong. People are missing...
“Engaging and Uplifting” the Daily Mail
Book Launch Party 28th October
If you would like to dial in to the launch party 7pm on Wednesday 28th October, contact me on @alexpaintings. 'Breathtaking and moving, Helen and the Grandbees is a novel that bravely explores...
“Can we have the tasting menu and swap all the meals..?” A Review of Copper & Ink SE3
I might have reviewed Copper and Ink before, but they are so lovely, persistent through lockdown, constantly encouraging us via twitter, and enduring Uber disasters that they were due a re-run. And...
Book Blog Tour of “Helen and the Grandbees”
My Paintings
Canary Wharf Clouds
Price range: £30.00 through £300.00
A Few More Of My Blog Posts
The Curious Incidents of Deptford.
Many curious incidents woke me up in the middle of the night in Deptford, the location my novel HELEN AND THE GRANDBEES. Deptford bridge over the Quaggy It began with the police throwing things against my second-floor bedroom window. I needed to move to the other side...
Read the Prologue to “Helen & The Grandbees”
We three sat together on the sofa for two. The sofa was made of bobbling grey and white threads. The foam stuck out through the gaps on the arm on April’s side. The gas fire flickered with pale blue lines. Bill was sitting closest to the black and white television, so...
The Fun Part of Indoor Dining – A Review of Lebanese Gourmet SE18
The fun part of indoor dining is that you can read the menu before you ‘turn up.’ (Okay, you always could, but I bet you never did). Now you can virtually ‘walk out’ of a disappointing restaurant and no one would get offended. The downside is that you can get a bit...
Boulangerie Jade SE3 – reviewed again
There are two types of people in this world, those who like mille-feuille, and those who don’t. Okay well, maybe there are three types, those who don’t like mille-feuille, those who do like it, and those who would like it if it was easier to eat. Cos...
99p e-book
Looking for some spring bank holiday reading?? Helen and the Grandbees “a heart-wrenching and deeply resonant story” ebook is at 99p at the moment! https://amzn.to/3crOtVr
A Review of THE SPICERY subscription box
I was a bit cynical about The Spicery before I was gifted a subscription. I already have a whole cupboard door of spices... plus a drawer of kilner jars... plus things lying, y’know, around. However, when the first box arrived, pre-mixed with a sachet for each main,...