Sim's Space

25/06/2023

The Cycling Sconnoisseur — Gallivants on Gravel
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From ‘burbs, to city, to gravel… and back. A little bit of everything on my latest carbohydrate-fuelled chronicle…
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My latest quest saw me blessed with a new sconepanion in the inspirational form of fellow-Queen Charlotte 👸🚴😍
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Ride — ‘A brilliant little bit of everything’. The mix of suburbs, city, gravel and river trails was a delight for the senses… and my navigational skills (eventually) came up trumps. Great company and I look forward to many more, though next time Charlotte can be in charge of the map.
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Scone — ‘Yum’. Soft and fluffy on the inside with a welcome kick of spice.
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Ambience — ‘One for the list’. ‘Two Children’ cafe… a new kid on the block in Stockbridge. Chilled beach boho vibe with people-watching a plenty. The perfect spot for laid-back daytime summer hang-outs

From ‘burbs, to city, to gravel… and back. A little bit of everything on my latest carbohydrate-fuelled chronicle.

19/06/2023

The Cycling Sconnoisseur - A Tale of Two Scones

Double sconnage plus double friendage equalled double delight on my latest balmy bumble.

A long-overdue ride with superstar Izzy along the rolling roads in pursuit of chat, carbs and kilometers, all happily topped off with an equally long-overdue catch-up with an old mucka.

Link to story - and those all-important high-brow top food critic reviews - below:

https://sims-space.medium.com/the-cycling-sconnoisseur-a-tale-of-two-scones-e29c2e619be0

Söderberg Bakery Shop Humbie Hub

Double sconnage plus double friendage equalled double delight on my latest balmy bumble.

31/03/2023

I’ve been a little quiet on the yoga front for a while… quiet on teaching, practising and writing.
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I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in yoga at Sampoorna Yoga for a month over the festive break in my attempts to get my mojo back, and I’m feeling proud to see my piece on what I might term a post-pandemic mojo loss in the latest OM Yoga & Lifestyle Magazine. Exposing a little vulnerability, but if I’m going to be a bear then I might as well be a grizzly…
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It’s fair to say I’m still a work in progress… though I’m having fun exploring.
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Huge thanks to Deepak at Sampoorna for creating the space for my mardy bum, to Jenny and Basti for sharing their experiences, and to psychotherapist Gin Lalli for the always excellent insight in the workings of our weird and wonderful minds.
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Right, now off to find that mojo again. I think it may be hiding beneath a pair of very-much-not-on-yoga-trend-slightly-sagging-around-the-crotch pants. Watch this space🧘‍♀️

Sim x

I'd been feeling somewhat disconnected from yoga - both my own practice and my teaching - and perhaps more worryingly, from my own body in general, for some

06/03/2023

The Cycling Sconnoisseur - Lanterne Rouge, part deux
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A day of classic carbs, chronicles, companionship, mechanical corrections and comedic calling…
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This week I followed up on my pledge to revisit my Tour of East Lothian pitstop cafe with some fellow Queens 👸🚴😍
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Ride — ‘Perfect conditions, pretty route and history a-plenty with perky pals’
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Scone — ‘Yet again, ‘delicieux mon amis!’
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Ambience — ‘Oui, oui, oui madame! Enough bike-based paraphernalia to keep even the geekiest cycling connoisseur amused (yes, even you Uncle Nobby). Great service — we all felt part of the Lanterne family. Merci!’

A day of classic carbs, chronicles, companionship, mechanical corrections and comedic calling…

25/02/2023

The Cycling Sconnoisseur - Le Tour de Scone

Wiggles round roads, collective noun conundrums and delicieux delicacies…

My longest sconnoisseur quest yet came as part of a pitstop on the 100k (and some!) Tour of East Lothian Audax.

Ride — ‘Long, but very enjoyable. Lovely views, perfect conditions and great to meet new folk.’.

Scone — ‘Delicieux mon amis! Perfectly cheesy, crumbly crusted and deliciously soft in the middle. The best yet’.

Ambience — ‘Cute café with a tasty-looking range of treats. Perhaps overwhelmed by the shiny-faced procession of cleated clientele, so it’ll be nice to visit again without the crowd. I’ll look forward to making good use of the cool crockery too’..

Wiggles round roads, collective noun conundrums and delicieux delicacies…

06/12/2022

The Cycling Sconnoisseur - a Pew with a View

… and a sconepanion!

My latest sconnoisseur quest saw me blessed with the company of the appropriately named Alice Cuppa Tea ☕️.

Ride — ‘Brilliant!’ A relatively short but super sweet ride that had a little bit of everything… made even better by the perfect sconepanion.

Scone — ‘Ok’, As Alice said, ‘saved by the jam’.

Ambience — ‘Definite one to visit’. Great service, breathtaking views, people-watching-a-plenty… questionable playlist.

Link to story:

… and a sconepanion!

26/11/2022

The Cycling Sconnoisseur has begun!
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Thanks to all my fellow Edinbarrers, Queens and Crafters for tolerating my bleating and providing words of encouragement… and to Dave for the name!
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Please share your recommendations… company always welcome too!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Place: Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Edinburgh
Ride — ‘not worthy of sharing’ (got lost on wet and busy roads)
Scone — ‘averagely ok’
Ambience — ‘not a one for chilling and pondering’
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Sim x
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Link to story:

https://sims-space.medium.com/the-cycling-sconnoiseur-the-adventure-begins-ca77e037d7e2

04/11/2022

Reading my latest piece in Breathe Magazine with a Greek pastry whilst pretending that I’m still in the Peloponnese… and not a cockle-chilling Edinburgh 🥶
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This month I write about… hold on tight… balance! There are so many benefits to be had from maintaining good balance; from physical strength to good posture and… erm, where was I going with this… focus and concentration…
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Give the exercises a try and let me know how you go. Might be a bit wobbly at first but I promise it’ll get easier. Have fun!
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Happy Friday folks!
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16/10/2022

A rare pic of me as I celebrate ‘victory’ in Vienna with a challenge inspired by ‘Marvellous Maynard’….

A culinary crusade, borderline bonk, creamy creation but ultimately pretty in pink. A teeny tale of how I sought to emulate the achievement…

30/09/2022

Feeling suitably smug, proud and honoured to feature in the 50th issue of the always amazing Breathe Magazine I’ve been lucky enough to contribute to this fab publication since issue 2, waaaay back in the day.
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Seems a fitting way to celebrate this landmark with inspiration from beauties on my new doorstep; huge thanks to the brilliant Tom at Typewronger Books and the exhibition at National Museum of Scotland Thanks also to those further afield, specifically two US Toms; ‘Typewriter Tom’ from Georgia… and a certain Mr Tom Hanks 🎞
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Saving the biggest thanks until last… accompanied by a huge hug for my very own Nana 😍
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Are you partial to a bit of happy tapping? Please share your stories as I’d love to write more about this machinery of joy….
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Happy tapping and happy birthday Breathe!

24/04/2022

So excited to bring pop-up yoga to the brilliant Bramblers cafe and bike shop in Leith at 7:30pm on Thursday 28th April
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Come and join us for an evening relax and restore session. Perfect for you bikers and runners looking to ease aching limbs, as well as those just looking to chill and have a nice breather.
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As always, this is for everyone, whether you’re an absolute beginner or a yoga regular. No need for fancy yoga kit here... old school trackies always score brownie points 😁
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This first session will be a freebie for us to get a feel for the space, but please DM or text so we know numbers.
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Special bonus is that Bramblers are offering 30% off all their snazzy stock this week, so hang around after to bag your bargain... and maybe even a post-session treat from the cafe.
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Looking forward to seeing you on the mat!
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Sim x

18/04/2022

Pop-up yoga is back!!! So excited for my first pop-up since ‘BC’... who’d have thought that little break would stretch this far... and pop up in a new city!!
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I’ll be covering for the lovely Poppy at the fab Santosa Cafe in Leith, 11:30-13:00 this Weds 20th... would love to see you Edinburgh peeps there. Absolute beginners absolutely welcome as always... as are the ‘I’m the most inflexible person you’ll ever teach’ (you never are and anyway, it really doesn’t matter 😁)
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No booking needed, nor fancy yoga pants, or even a mat. A lunchtime treat in Leith... hang around for one of Shahana’s legendary lunches afterwards. Hope to see there 🧘‍♀️