The letter S

Here’s an idea from Pink Sunshine. You get given a letter and then must come up with ten things you love that begin with that letter.
My letter was S and here are my choices:

Scotland – I love Scotland and it remains my favourite holiday destination. I’ve had many memorable times down the years either staying in cottages in the Highlands or in Landmark Trust buildings.
In recent years my stays have included wonderful buildings such as Auchinleck House, in Ayreshire, one of the finest 18th century mansions in Scotland and Saddell House, in Kintyre, an imposing mansion built in 1774 which came with its own private beach and lots of logs for roaring fires. Most of all I’ve loved the great times I’ve shared in those building.
Scotland is also home to my favourite place – Glenfinnan, which lies at the head of Loch Shiel. It was here that Bonnie Prince Charlie first raised his standard on August 19, 1745. Glenfinnan will always have a special place in my heart. In a time of crisis, a few years ago, I drove out there and spent the night by myself at the edge of the water, huddled in a blanket lost in my thoughts. A very special place indeed.

S – My place of work. How I feel about my job depends on the mood I’m in when you ask me. Journalism can be exciting, stressful, demanding and unsociable. But, as I’ve blogged before, I doubt I’d swap it for anything else.

Sooty! – My favourite childhood friend. In fact, it was the ONLY programme I’d watch when I was younger. Last month, a puppet used by Harry Corbett in the original 1950s BBC programme was sold at auction for £3,100. In the 1980s all my teddy bears were christened Sooty.

Salvador Dalí – I’m by no means a big art fan or critic but I love the work of Salvador Dalí. Two of his prints hang in my downstairs loo and I’ve various Dalí-realed books, postcards and ornaments.
A permanent exhibition devoted to the works of Dalí, housed in the former home of the Greater London Council, a stone’s throw from the London Eye, is always worth a visit whenever I venture “down south.”

Suetonius - Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius. A historian born between 69 and 75AD, he is a celebrated historian of the Roman Empire. He introduced me to the 12 successive Roman rulers, from Julius Caesar until Domitian.
My favourite translation of his work is Robert Graves’s. I’m fascinated by Roman history.

Slippery When Wet – My favourite album of all time by the mighty Bon Jovi. It’s on regular rotation in my car along with the Lost Boys soundtrack and a Frank Sinatra compilation.

Simon Scarrow – one of my favourite authors. He writes historical fiction and his popular Eagle series follows Centurion Macro and Legionary Cato on their travels with the Roman Army.
Sacrrow is also at present writing a trilogy following the lives of the Duke of Wellington and Emperor Napoleon (another period of history I’m fascinated by).

Spas - I love being pampered. Seaweed wraps, hot stone treatments and, my favourite, full chocolate body massages. If money was no object I’d have one every week. As it is all-day spas remain an occasional treat and I make do with weekly steams, saunas and jacuzzis. Boo.

Snuggling - no explanation need really.

Serenity – What I am, of course, searching for.
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)