A multicoloured Four Hundred, that’s a strange title, we hear you cry. What could that possibly refer to? Could it be something to do with the LGBT community? Could it be something to do with the COVID-19 rainbows in everyone’s windows? Well yes, the colouring does reflect the times we currently live in but the number, surprise surprise, denotes the simple fact that this is the 400th post on allaboutthescones.com since we started back in 2015.
Who would have thought it? If you had suggested back then that five years later we would still be blogging about scones we would have fallen about laughing. Scones have certainly taken us to places we would never otherwise have been and to meet people we would never otherwise have met. It has been an extraordinary adventure. Having said that we should really have something better to do with our time! It would be great to be able to say that we have come a long way since then but, of course, we haven’t. Still, the same old scone scoffing and carping endlessly about our illustrious leaders. Of course, that’s not to say that nothing has happened in these five years, far from it.
Back at the start
Hard to think of it now but back in 2015 David Cameron had unexpectedly come to power, UKIP was riding high and the SNP had 56 of the 59 Scottish MPs at Westminster. The UK was still a member of the EU for goodness sake! Jeremy Corbyn emerged as a joke candidate for leadership of the Labour party but ended up winning. Unfortunately, he managed to make Labour unelectable, leaving English voters with no choice but to vote Tory. Hence the mess we are in today with the vacuum that is Boris Johnson in charge.
What else has happened? Well apart from scone reports from all over the UK, our intrepid correspondents have lodged reports from all over the world … the parts that we find hard to reach. Our gratitude is boundless!
Obviously we have dispatched a lot of scones in that time but, happily, 108 of them have been topscones. It’s great when you come across a topscone but suffice to say we have thoroughly enjoyed finding each and every one of them.
400
In case you are interested Four Hundred days ago, we were at the Old Inn in Northern Ireland eating fabulous cherry scones and writing about making love to goats. Four Hundred weeks ago it was 2012 and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Fred Goodwin lost his knighthood but other bankers got massive bonuses. We were warned that representative democracy was in terminal decline in the UK. The fact that Scotland’s representative in the current government is now a Tory MP in England proves that at least they got that right. Four Hundred months ago it was 1987. Bill Gates launched Windows 2.0 and China sent its first email to an address in Germany. Four Hundred years ago it was 1620 and the good ship Mayflower departed Plymouth on its way to America. Wonder if they would still do that today now that Trump is President?
Amidst all this technological wizardry and political idiocy, scones remained a consistent and calming influence throughout. A beacon of good taste and sensibility. Long may that happy situation continue!
Lastly, a big thank you to our readers for your forbearance and many comments. The next post will be another old scone from the past … it’s not our fault!
Throughout my ‘Scones’ reading experience, I have wondered (and smiled) at your ability to interest, educate and amuse me, in almost equal measure. Such ability is rarely, if ever, demonstrated by other bloggers.
The inspiration that you provide, encourages me to a vain attempt (as below) to replicate your writing skills!
400 minutes ago, I was watching (yet another) repeat episode of ‘Hey Duggie’ with young Henry, my much loved grandson. For the uninitiated, Duggie is a cartoon dug (dog) who dispenses wisdom to his young friends and then awards their learning with a sew on badge. Tonight’s (repeat) episode was one of my favourites, The Camouflage Badge. In addition to their sew on badge, at the end of each episode the young friends are also rewarded with a collective ‘Duggie Hug’
Somewhat presumptively, on behalf of ‘The Scones’ reading community, I would like to award you guys with your ‘Scone Badge’ and to wrap you both in the (virtually extended) warmth of a ‘Duggie Hug’
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.
KEEP THEM COMING.
Goodness, that’s one of the nicest things that’s happened to us in a long time. We would have been honoured with just a Scone Badge but a Duggie Hug as well!! Feeling all warm and fuzzy! Thank you.
I have followed your sconing since you visited us at the Carnegie Café in Portmahomack Many years ago and have loved all your informative reports and observational remarks about the state of the nation and the world. Sometimes I have commented and sometimes I have meant to but don’t think they even seem to Leave this mysterious little gadget …,, but I am trying again to thank you and Pat for sharing your travels and scones… and hope you will be doing the rounds again before too long😃🤙‼️❣️
Very fond memories of our time in Portmahomack and particularly the Carnegie Café, Charlette. What is happening with the cafe now? It always surprises us how much folks like the blog but that’s what keeps us going. We are also looking forward to getting back on the scone trail again very soon. Who knows, it may even take in Portmahomack.
Well, congratulations Bill on Post #400! We’ve joined a bit later in the party so the blog revisits of late along with your updated insights and analysis of current events have been a real treat not to mention the scones and travel destinations!
Wishing many more top scones for you and Pat.
Steve and Chris
Thanks you two, that’s nice to hear. It was great to see you at Pat’s birthday it finished off a wonderful day for her beautifully!
Only 10 months of scone blogs, and love everyone of them. I’m so pleased to see the “Again ” blogs, as they’re new to me!! Well done you two for all the entertainment
Very happy that you like this nonsense Sue, I keep forgetting that some sconeys are relatively new recruits. Hope all is well in NZ.
Have you ever calculated the weight of all these scones? Nae wonder ye cannae git flour!
Congratulations quite a milestone.
Archie & Anna
Thanks Archie. Hate to think what that would weigh … maybe about the same as me?
Who’d a thunk it 400 scone posts. You’ve done well Mr P and I for one am very proud of the work you put into all this, you do rather well and a lot of people thoroughly enjoy your posts. Keep up the good work.
Couldn’t have done it without you so you have to accept part of the responsibility. You don’t get off that easy!
Congratulations on your 400th blog!
In celebration, having just yesterday acquired the final ingredient for your royal recipe, I will attempt to bake scones for the first time this century.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks Liz, can we look forward to sampling your Royal scones? A full report, of course, is mandatory
400 WOW!!! Well done x
Thanks Kirsty, it doesn’t really bear thinking about!