For this month’s Pick Six, we heard from Charlie Dean, co-owner of Sneinton Market plant shop The Watered Garden, which hosts terrarium and festive wreath workshops in November and December.
Book
That has got to be Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. I fell in love with the world Susanna builds, and can vividly remember when I first started reading it. Whenever I’m in a reading slump, I always turn to it. I don’t want to say too much about it, as the mystery behind the story is addictive to solve and I wouldn’t want to spoil that experience for anyone. But it is a treasured item to me, which sits right next to my bed at all times, reminding me of why I love reading!
Album
I've been listening to Silver Gore’s EP Dogs In Heaven a lot recently. My partner (in life and business) Louis and I saw them at End of the Road festival this summer and felt they sounded like a more optimistic version of Jockstrap (who we also love), with some really beautiful live vocals. I particularly love the songs A Scar’s Length and All The Good Men. They’re good songs to drive to.
A personal hero
I can’t think of one right now, so can I shout out some friends? I would love to make some of them blush. I feel very lucky to have such inspiring, creative, stylish, hardworking and compassionate friends. Eve, Heidi, Maddy, Chris, Harry, Pad, Suki, Paul, Holly, Cate, Jodie, Heather, Catherine, to name a few.
Holiday destination
It’s a toss up between Lundy Island and the Scottish highlands, but I’ll say Lundy because I’m currently missing it dearly. It recently appeared in the news as it may have to close due to lack of drinking water. It is a small island just off the Devonshire coast where human intervention is extremely minimal and you can fully get lost amongst the bracken. Much time has been spent watching the wild horses and deers, purple heron and baby seals playing in the water.
Notts Spot
I could say my shop (which I own with Louis), because it is genuinely one of my faves, but that feels too obvious, so I’ll go for Attenborough Nature Reserve. I’m like a kid in a sweetie shop when I get to see all the cormorants, herons, grebes, etcetera. It is beautiful all year round, and fills me with a great calmness that I think only plants, water and birds can give me.
Notts Nosh
Although I don’t go there as much as I would like, I really want to shout out Balageru on Mansfield Road. Traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean food that cannot be beat. I go there with two particular mates – we catch up over a vegan platter and leave very sleepy and happy. It is so good!! I also love Taquero in Hockley as Lou and I often go there for date nights. The vegan options are great – we would swim in their Salsa Macha.
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