Click here for the Sue's interview with the Sofia News agency.

A new book extolling the delights of Lancaster’s pubs, restaurants, coffee houses and other delights was launched at the Stonewell Tavern on Thursday 23rd April.

Sue Seddon’s Little Book of Lancaster includes pictures and descriptions of many of the unique places which make the city so special, offering tourists an insider’s advice on where to go for anything from a well-drawn pint and perfect pie to a five course meal. The book also offers a run-down of specialist retailers and other top local tips for getting the most out of a stay here.

Guests of honour at the launch were The Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of Lancaster Councillor Keith Budden and the Mayoress Mrs Heather Budden.

The Mayor raised an appreciative cheer from the assembled company when he remarked how pleased he was to be invited to an event which not only took place in a pub but celebrated the many hostelries and other unique qualities of the city. The event was the fourth official visit in the day for the Mayor and Mayoress, who had already attended St George’s Day celebrations on St George’s Quay. “Today, in a way, reflects what our year has been like.” explained Councillor Budden: “We’ve been to every event that we possibly could - and we’ve learnt a great deal about a wide variety of organisations and individuals.”

Music for the afternoon was provided by the French Connection, a resident band of the city’s jazz stalwarts led by pianist Ronnie French, with Ray Briggs on bass and Alan Kenmure on saxophone and clarinet. To celebrate the book launch they included the classic number “My Kind of Town” in their set. Pianist Bill Wilding also took to the keys for a few numbers, and Stonewell Tavern landlord Jerry contributed the odd vocal.

The event was attended by a packed audience of Lancaster folk, including many musicians, writers, artists, music fans and other pub regulars, making for a lively and memorable afternoon.

The book itself is a quirky guide to - and permanent record of - a city that has much to be proud of. Sue Seddon’s exhaustive research, conducted, as she herself is happy to point out, from bar stools across the area, has paid off. It is obtainable from Waterstone's, Atkinson's Coffee and the City Museum as well as direct from the author www.sueseddon.co.uk and Amazon

And, from the Mayor, who declares himself a proud Lancastrian, through to Italian-born Jerry, who has happily adopted Lancaster, (as it has adopted him), it seems we all feel privileged to live here.

Reviews by Sue Parish
Photos by Pete Hyde

 

Eastern adventures

 

I'm sending this e-mail received from those as adventurous as myself. Look what happens when, in all innocence, I write a book or two on a forgotten corner of Eastern Europe. People want to see for themselves.......even the village where I hide under another name did not escape their determined exploration.....

Good Morning Victoria,

On April 4th our two families set off on the 'Big Bulgarian Adventure'. At 4am on a very quiet and dark Spring morning we left Sofia airport in our Mini-bus en-route to V.T.
The first wrong turn was about 300 yards outside the airport which lead us through the Gypsy quarter (frightening to say the least). After that it was a trouble-free trip to within a few miles of V.T. when we started to search for the Malinovo turning. We could not believe our luck:- as we took the turn and drove into the village, the sun was rising above the mountains and the scene was wonderful. Certainly an experience none of us will ever forget. There wasn't another soul moving in the whole village.

We did a brief tour under the cover of semi-darkness and then returned to the main square for photographs in front of the 'Donkey Dick Sausage Shop'. Within a few minutes we had daylight on our side and decided to search the village for the famous blue window framed house with a goat turd covered lane running along side. In all my years as a Police Officer whose job has revolved around searching for clues etc, these were without doubt some of the most bizzare ones I have ever had to go on!!! Would you believe that the first sign of another human being was Anna trying to discreetly observe us from behind a twitching curtain. Within seconds she had opened the window of the single storey building next to your home and was leaning on the ledge giving us a barrage of Bulgarian as the sun glistened on her gold teeth. Bless her! After exhausting our total Bulgarian vocabulary, which made her smile, we tried to explain who we were and why we were skulking around her village in the early hours. She understood the word 'Victoria' when we were talking about you, but it got very confusing when we introduced ourselves, as Vicky was one of our names.

We spent a few minutes with her and took a few photos (some attached), and then went for a stroll down the lane (avoiding goat remains). We then toured the rest of the village before setting off for V.T.
This is probably a good time to thank you for continually mentioning the Gurko hotel. What a fantastic place in every respect. The location, staff, food, service, and cleanliness were second to none. We had reserved the two large suites for our two families of three, and they were probably amongst the top places I have ever stayed in anywhere. None of us could fault anything at all at the Gurko. Well Done Victoria!!! We spent 3 wonderful days with friends that emigrated to V.T. 18 months earlier, and property viewing, before driving through the Shipka pass to our apartments on the coast in Ravda. Five days later we caught the train to Plovdiv for 3 nights, then another train to Sofia for the final 2 nights. The last full day was spent climbing to the top of the snow covered 'Black Rock' in the Vitosha mountains. What a fantastic holiday was had by all, but absolutely exhausting!

Please hurry along with the third book, we need your wit, humour, and enthusiasm to spur us on to doing it all again.

Thank you Victoria/Sue for allowing us all the delight and pleasure of sharing your experiences. We totally agree with you, and consider Bulgaria to be a wonderful part of the world that thankfully has not yet been spoilt by the typical 'Brit abroad'.

Kindest Regards, John, Linda, + Edward and Geoff, Vicky, + Jenna.