It’s been a while hasn’t it?! I’m a little ashamed to say it’s been a year since my last blog post. After such a big life change with the redundancy from my previous job, and settling into my “new” job, I must admit my focus has been elsewhere this past year. I’ve tried to keep posting on Facebook and Twitter with snippets as I get them, but it’s been far too long since I’ve sat down to write a proper blog post.
I must admit I’ve been feeling a little bit guilty about that, going quiet at the same time the Coeliac UK Plymouth Group was forced to close down has not sat too easily with me. However, the job has settled down now and I’ve been thinking it’s time to get my act together. I have been pondering for some time about maybe asking for some help with the site. The blog has a good following on social media, which still makes me both proud and surprised, and I feel I’ve been wasting that as there really isn’t much information around for Plymouth.
I’m delighted to announce that after recent negotiations over a massive gluten free burger and some (yes possibly too many) drinks that the lovely Emma Oxland has agreed to come on board and help me with Gluten Free by the Sea. I’m really excited by this, and I hope between the two of us we can come up with plenty of content to get the site flourishing again. Many of you will know Emma from her time running The Galley, which very sadly is no longer with us. I’m hopeful we’ll encourage and inspire each other to write, so thanks in advance Emma and here’s to an exciting future for Gluten Free by the Sea.
Emma and a giant burger at old favourite JDs Grill
Things have changed a lot since I last posted. As previously mentioned, The Coeliac UK Plymouth Group was forced to close due to lack of volunteers on the committee. It was personally very sad to see this close when I’d been so closely involved for the last few years, but I think sadly it was inevitable. I made some great friends along the way am left with many fond memories. We then lost The Galley and also another restaurant serving gluten free in Holland’s Diner.
Emma and I celebrate catching up and her joining the Gluten Free by the Sea team. We may have enjoyed a drink or 10 by this point. Drink responsibly and all that hey!
On a more positive note, I’ve enjoyed some great gluten free meals out in the past year. New venues to me have included Quay 33, Barbican Kitchen, The Greedy Goose, Chloe’s, The Dock and Rocksalt Cafe. I am sure I’ll be reviewing some of these fully in due course, but it’s safe to say I’ve enjoyed some excellent food at all of these venues. I think eating out is certainly getting easier, and I find most of the local independent restaurants who cook everything fresh are generally very accommodating. The Ladybird Bakery have also opened a gluten free cafe in Frankfurt Gate, so do stop by and pay them a visit of you haven’t already.
Kevin, Gluten Free by the Sea
Gluten Free By The Sea 
Welcome back – and good luck both of you with GFBTS!
Thanks Alex, I hope you are well!
Best wishes to you both. What is it they say; two heads and all that. Glad to see GFBTS back on the horizon!
Thanks David, hope all is well with you. I miss eating your lovely bread at The Galley!
Hi Kevin and Emma
Great to read your latest post and catch up on your news.
Since leaving Plymouth over two years ago and moving to Bristol things on the restaurant scene there certainly seem to have improved. Bristol is also great and eating out is nothing like the problem it was when I was first diagnosed as being Coeliac approx 12 years ago. We have travelled quite a bit this year and have found it so much easier to dine out safely in France, Italy, Spain and Greece.
Good luck with blog and hope job continues to go well.
All the best
Viv
PS COYG!!
Thanks Viv! Things are certainly improving. Exciting times here. I hope all is good with you. Certainly sounds like things are going well. Kevin x
Welcome back! Glad you’re settled in to the new job ok and I look forward to reading (both of) your posts on this blog!
Thanks Sian. Good to hear from you, hope you are well!
Kevin. Bravo and great success in your decision to continue with GFBTS I for one will look forward to reading your observations. Stephen
What a lovely welcome back Kevin! I am excited for this new venture also 🙂 Watch this space for us both getting bigger and bigger as we eat through Plymouth and surrounding areas’ gluten free menus!! 😉 xxx
Big bellies and sore heads all round haha! We’re going to have a lot of fun and hopefully help a lot of people. Can’t wait!! xxx