This month I was busy, and I’m so grateful for that. One of the most aggravating questions I get asked is “how do you make enough money?” because: I rarely do! The choice to become a freelancer was based on a lot of things, and I’ve certainly never made more than I did at my previous job. But when I’m busy, it doesn’t feel as difficult—my nerves are calmed when I feel needed and necessary. Busy doesn’t necessarily equal riches, but it certainly makes a difference compared to those fallow months all freelancers dread.

What I’ve been doing has been pleasingly diverse too: editing a book, writing about volcanoes, writing about pub signs and public art, and editing Pellicle features. I’ve been tired to my bones but I’ve also felt more energised about my work, which is something that comes and goes quite violently from my life whenever something bad happens. See the whole month of August for a reference for this.

But! I’m just back from a sunny holiday on the volcanic crust of Lanzarote, the Autumnal new moon has given me a bit of peace, and I’ve found my cinnamon incense sticks. Things are looking up.

If you would like to hire me for writing work, whether that’s blog writing, social media content, or you’ve got an idea for a feature you think I’d be great for, email me: [email protected]

Things I’ve Written

• These Wooden Ideas — The Incomparable Theakston’s Old Peculier — Pellicle

“The peat-dark waters of the North Yorkshire Moors are described by my pint. In its sparkling clear, deep ruby depths, I can see glints of bronze—I’ve moved the glass so it perfectly catches the light from a small window on the other side of the room. It’s funny, even the head has a touch of that earthy colour about it, like the foam under a waterfall, or in the deadly swirling of the Bolton Strid.”

• There Will Be Signs: My First Week As A Euromillions Winner — The Guardian

• The Woody, Douglas — The Gulp

• The Mindfulness of Defrosting my Freezer — The Gulp

• Wedding Dresses and Pints of Pale — The Gulp

“There’s this one gown she looked incredible in, a waterfall of sequins, that brings tears to my eyes—he’s clapping. We love this. We cackle and finish our pints, get new ones, and look through the collection again, whooping and hollering, and discussing cuts and styles in great detail as only three-pints-in-experts can. We hug and I talk about my wedding, and our friend his, and offer our advice and recommendations. We sip Pale like we own the place, and in this moment, surrounded by imaginary diamonds and chandeliers, it’s as exquisite and refreshing as Bollinger.”

• How to Run a Successful Bar — The Gulp

• Preston Pub Festival 2024 — The Gulp

• Volcanic Hungary — The Gulp

• She’s So Heavy (A guide to the Wee Heavy beer style) — Ferment Magazine (print only)

• Wine Myths: It’s Alive! — Glug Magazine (print only)

• Sweet Wines In Moldova — Glug Magazine (print only)

• A Taste of Terroir: Valul Lui Traian — Glug Magazine (print only)

• Indigenous Grapes: Valul Lui Traian — Glug Magazine (print only)

Things I’ve Done

Edited a Book

I know I keep wanging on about this, but I was thrilled to be asked to work on this project. I’m keen to work in editing more and more these days, and the book I was ascribed to work on was a great surprise: touching, shocking, and enlivening. I can’t wait to be able to share this writers’ work with you.

Blended Beers with Balance Brewing

Pellicle are making not one but three collaboration beers with Balance Brewing and Blending, and I’ve been put in charge of the project. Wuh oh!!

Really though, this is a gem of a job to get to do, and working with James and Will is obviously delightful. I spent two afternoons in Manchester this month with Pellicle Matthew choosing beers to blend and additional foraged herbs and aromatics to include.

Look out for more news on these special releases at the start of 2025.

Chatted with Fell Brewery in Cartmel

I was chuffed to bits to be asked to host an Oktoberfest beer tasting and panel/chat with the Fell Brewery team earlier in September. I was invited to stay at their pub The Royal Oak in Cartmel which is stunning, you really should visit, and John the head brewer took me to eat a Michelin Star sausage roll at Heft, which was as great as it sounds. Big thanks to John for organising and for making me feel so welcome.

Went on a Solo Trip in the Lakes

Tom went to Spa-Francorchamps with Team Kibosh for the weekend (I wasn’t jealous), so I planned a little getaway of my own with my best friend, the van.

Driving up to Eskdale through Ulpha and living to tell the tale gave me the confidence that I could do anything. And it’s true—I walked to Boot, I took a little steam train called La’al Ratty, I drove on to Keswick, I had a cheese board in the van and watched World Superbikes on my phone, I had a wonderful time.

I Hosted Another Workshop

I loved doing these!

We talked all about pitching and self-editing, and it’s just so great to hear what new writers are concerned or confused about and be able to help. Sharing experience is what it’s all about. There’ll be no stifling of talent goin’ on around here, I’ll tell ya.

While I haven’t got much time to run one in the coming months, I’d love to know if you’d be interested in booking in for one in the new year. Let me know.

Things I Read

• Naked Dressing and Consent by Rebecca Cope for Elle

• I thought this piece by Apoorva Sripathi was interesting, because when I feel dark and grim and depressed and angry, I too think deeply about Rothko paintings.

• The incredibly talented Rachel Hendry on memory, wine, taste, and the horror of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

• More from Rachel about oranges, art, and FEELING

• Junk Food, High Art — Noah Verrier’s art has very much been at the forefront of my mind every time I’ve eaten junk food this past year or so.

Things I Saw

• A barn owl floating across the A59

• A 250 year old Syrah vine growing out of volcanic ash

• This astonishingly spooky and chic Chanel A/W ad spread:

• A barracuda eat another fish in the marina at Playa Blanca

• The very most south-westerly point of mainland Europe

• 50,000 words about trauma, horses, love, heartbreak, and cowgirls

Things I’ve Drunk

• Balance Brewing and Blending - Saison de Maison

• An incredible pint of Loweswater Gold at The Priory in Cartmel

• Fell Brewery’s Festbier

• Plenty of Tropical lager

• Lías, a beautiful white wine from Lanzarote

• Hot Vimto

Things I’ve Eaten

Lanzarote was a holiday filled with groaning tables of seafood and hams.

In particular, Lanzarote does boquerones well, and while Playa Blanca isn’t that great for seafood (it’s much more of a tourist spot, you’ll easily get a decent curry or a kebab here, which seemed strange because across the water in Corralejo, Fuerteventura, the sea fronts are loaded with fish restaurants) we sniffed out the best, and the house vinegar boquerones from La Katedral near the harbour were great.

This coming month I’m most excited about some social media work I’ve been asked to do, a bunch of copywriting for a tourist board, and a whole heap of my own writing I’m turning into a zine. Look, I know I’ve said it before, but this time it’s actually happening.

Last month I mentioned I was dead set on making protein banana bread. It ended up being the best I’ve ever made, protein or not. Here’s the recipe I used, but I didn’t use yoghurt, substituting it for an extra banana. I also used 120g of sugar instead of honey or syrup because I didn’t have any, and it worked fine.

The blog author also includes a quick conversion into grams which I found much more useful.

FYI I used Birthday Cake flavoured whey protein. Vegan protein should work exactly the same, but if you use a pea-based protein powder it might taste a little vegetal, so I’d add more vanilla extract.

Thanks very much to my new subscribers this month for joining me here, and thank you to all of my paid subscribers who seem to be paying for the privilege of being here even though you don’t have to. Your subscriptions pay for my some of my food shops! I appreciate you!

Katie xox