Feast of Colour and Sensory Delight at Tulleys Tulip Garden

Here are a few photos from our visit to Tulleys Tulip Garden at Hatton Country World, Warwickshire,  a few days ago. Complete with a Dutch windmill and delicious Dutch mini pancakes (poffertjes) we enjoyed our experience without travelling to Holland! I can also attest to the fact that the 10 tulip stems I bought from theContinue reading “Feast of Colour and Sensory Delight at Tulleys Tulip Garden”

And after the writing?

Writers write, yes? So what about all the other stuff – publicity, marketing etc? Once upon a time – when I was first published – the author’s job was simply to deliver the manuscript on time, to the agreed length and basically close enough to what was written on the contract. Then you sat backContinue reading “And after the writing?”

Berlin December 2024 – Insights From the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall

Just before Christmas 2024, we visited Berlin and explored that fascinating city. There are so many diverse aspects to Berlin in December: the fun & excitement of the Christmas markets, crazy light displays, exquisite craftwork in festive shops, the amazing Humboldt Forum art museum, the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the opportunity to reflect upon the worstContinue reading “Berlin December 2024 – Insights From the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall”

To Celebrate Wolf Hall, TV Drama Adaptation Starring Mark Rylance and Damien Lewis- My Reviews of Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell Trilogy – reblog

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Five: What further stories can you tell about your time at the BBC?

Working at 1 Portland Place opposite Broadcasting House (BH) at London W1A, we often saw well-known presenters and personalities. We’d be queueing up for lunch in the canteen at the top of BH and I’d see a familiar media figure in the queue just ahead of me, and think, ‘He looks much smaller and moreContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Five: What further stories can you tell about your time at the BBC?”

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part One:     Who put the pop-up in the pop-up toaster?

And the answer is: I did! That was just one of my previous jobs, on the conveyor belt at Morphy Richards factory in my hometown, when I was in my teens. In fact it was first ever paid job and I was thrilled, and when I received my first pay packet I thought I wasContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part One:     Who put the pop-up in the pop-up toaster?”

A Visit to Denis Severs’ House, Spitalfields, East London

We recently visited Dennis’ Severs’ House at 18 Folgate Street, Spitalfields. This was a revelation to me, and I’ve discovered new things since my visit, about Dennis himself, his life, the creation of the interiors in the House, and the life of the Spitalfields community around him, which make the visit an even more poignantContinue reading “A Visit to Denis Severs’ House, Spitalfields, East London”

Book Reviews: ‘We Can’t Breathe’ by Olusola Sophia Anyanwu

Today I’m pleased to bring you my review of ‘We Can’t Breathe‘ by Olusola Sophia Anyanwu. I’ve read a few of Sophia’s books now and she gives us a vivid insight into many aspects of life and experience from within an African point of view. She is herself, besides being an incredibly prolific author, anContinue reading “Book Reviews: ‘We Can’t Breathe’ by Olusola Sophia Anyanwu”

BLOG TOUR My review of Hunter’s Blood, the new book in the Edinburgh Crime Series by Val Penny

Today I’m delighted to be reviewing Val Penny‘s latest Edinburgh crime mystery as part of her blog tour. Hunter’s Blood is published by Spellbound Books. I met and chatted with Val at a writers conference at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, and found her an ebullient character. Her Edinburgh crimes give me a new conceptContinue reading “BLOG TOUR My review of Hunter’s Blood, the new book in the Edinburgh Crime Series by Val Penny”

Book Review: ‘A Walk in the Woods’ by Bill Bryson

Today I review Bill Bryson‘s very entertaining account of his attempt at walking the entire Appalachian Trail alongside Katz, an ill-prepared friend, who becomes the highlight of the book. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is published by Black Swan with beautiful line drawings by David Cook – though as I read IContinue reading “Book Review: ‘A Walk in the Woods’ by Bill Bryson”