Tagged - again

I have Un Peu Loufoque to thank for this: 8 (eight!!) interesting things about me. In theory this should be easy - writing about oneself I mean. Very indulgent.

I wonder if I could recycle my previous 'tagged' revelations? No. I thought not.

I do find it quite difficult, so I'll approach it like taking medicine. Quickly. In a gulp. Here goes:

1. I have had beer and doughnuts for breakfast only once.

2. Coursing through my veins is a drop of Huguenot blood. Why this should excite so much I don't know. In earlier days my silversmithing and diamond dealing ancestors pounded the Dickensian streets of London's Clerkenwell and Islington. I am delighted by the serendipitous union between Alice Stewardson and Bertram Cross - my grandparents. She a jewellery worker and he an escapee from Shropshire's lead mines. A precious and a base metal....

3. ....there's a story there somewhere. Someone else can write it. I prefer having ideas to carrying them out.

4. My favourite flowers are snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis plena), Dianthus Mrs Simpkins and Rosa rugosa alba.

5. One of the most exciting things I can think of (right now) is the overture to La bohème. The house lights dim and in those first notes are such promise. Opera demands the ability to suspend belief in reality. I can do that.

6. As children we didn't travel much as a family - going as far as north Yorkshire was as adventurous as it got. I expect for the times that was going some, and count myself lucky. To discover France in the mid 60's - a strange world where, amongst other revelations, lettuce was frissée and dressed with freshly made mayonnaise and not Heinz Salad Cream - was a bit of an eye-opener. I questioned the familiar from then on.

7. Boiled eggs must be eaten pointed ends DOWN. Only a fool would do it the other way round.

8. Loggos, Paxos. Can't think of anywhere better to spend a week. Shady olive groves, crystal clear Ionian. Calamari and chilled beer at Spiros' Kantina, dinner at Gio's Taverna in the village. Scraggy cats, Metaxa and a ride on the ancient island bus. However, it's my second favourite place. First prize goes to the road over Long Mountain, an ancient route, with Wales to the west and England to the east. It's not beautiful though the views are stunning. It's a place to draw breathe between points a and b, 8 miles of alone.

Phew, I'm exhausted. I hope this outbreak of 'tagging' is over with soon. If anyone wants to be 'it' - go ahead. Be my guest.