From Scotland with Love

I know I said I'd send you photographs of my haggis

but I was so hungry and I rarely think about anything

when I'm about to start a big meal. Eating

is one of the main parts of holidays and weekends away.

I am in a pub where they let you bring

your fish and chips from across the road.

That's what I'd do too, if I owned a pub.

They have cutlery and plates, ketchup

and this bottle of sweet chilli sauce, which

has a real kick to it, and some people might say

that's too generous, providing these condiments,

but I'd be scanning the Tripadvisor reviews,

do people say they feel at home here?

Do people say it's cosy?

Do people come back again, with more friends?

Do people come here on dates?

This is the perfect place to come with someone

you are almost in love with. Not quite. But soon

it will happen, maybe, this is the role for pubs

and bars and restaurants, to provide

the perfect setting because people 

who are almost in love

need all the help they can get.