O for a muse of fire that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention. So wrote William Shakespeare in the Prologue to Henry V – and a few days ago we were in the garden at New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, site of Shakespeare’s former family home – infusing marbles with the power of that same muse.Continue reading “Garden of Significant Inspiration and Curious A-MUSE-ments at Shakespeare’s New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon”
Category Archives: places of inspiration
Research in Southwark for Setting for New Novel
Last Saturday I was in Southwark, London SE1, researching locations for my new novel. To me, the setting for a novel must have a strong emotional connection. My first two novels were set in the Cotswolds, near where I now live. My next novels will be set in London, near where I was born andContinue reading “Research in Southwark for Setting for New Novel”
Fun, Tranquility and Happiness on My Third Visit to Highgrove Garden
Last week I visited HRH the Prince of Wales’ garden at Highgrove for the third time. Each time I’ve visited – the first time in pouring rain in August 2015, the second time near the end of the wildflower season in June 2016, and now in October 2016, we’ve been led by a different guide and each hasContinue reading “Fun, Tranquility and Happiness on My Third Visit to Highgrove Garden”
The Joys of a Great Building, and its Healing Power to Relieve the Stresses of Our Lives: Beautiful Pershore Abbey
As the mother of a son with autism, I have throughout his life acted as an advocate, carer, companion, supporter. One of his difficulties is taking unfamiliar journeys alone. Now aged 18, he has just started a new course in Horticulture at Pershore College in Worcestershire. Yesterday we met what was, for both of us,Continue reading “The Joys of a Great Building, and its Healing Power to Relieve the Stresses of Our Lives: Beautiful Pershore Abbey”
What does Eadfrith, artist-scribe of the Lindisfarne Gospels, have to teach creative writers and artists today?
Nothing much, you may think – because Eadfrith was a seventh century monk in a monastery on an island, and we live in the fast, materialistic, time-pressured world of 2016. I’ve just spent three days on Lindisfarne (otherwise known as Holy Island), just off the Northumberland coast, where Eadfrith sat in the monastery scriptorium and scribedContinue reading “What does Eadfrith, artist-scribe of the Lindisfarne Gospels, have to teach creative writers and artists today?”
Heatwave Inspiration – The View From Broadway Tower in Bright Sunshine
What do you do in a heatwave? We headed for the Cotwolds and one of our favourite places, Broadway Tower. The last time I was there a cold gusty wind and a heavy damp mist greeted us. But on this visit, the sun blazed out of an azure sky, and it was an idealContinue reading “Heatwave Inspiration – The View From Broadway Tower in Bright Sunshine”
Reflections on Australia: Binna Burra, Rainforest Resort in the Gold Coast Hinterland
As my daughter Abigail and her friend Gaby have just flown out to Australia to stay with my sister in Brisbane for the next few weeks, I’m thinking of Australia – and of the times I’ve visited that continent, and of the four and a half years I spent living and working there. I’veContinue reading “Reflections on Australia: Binna Burra, Rainforest Resort in the Gold Coast Hinterland”
Wildflower Inspiration from Highgrove
One of the loveliest things about England is the sight of our native wildflowers. For some it may be possible to take these things for granted, but to me, cow-parsley growing in the hedgerows, and bluebells appearing in unexpected places, is something miraculous – along with the oxeye daisy, the meadow buttercup, viper’s bugloss, redContinue reading “Wildflower Inspiration from Highgrove”
The Power of Light to Uplift the Spirit and Transform a Dark World
Add light to any situation, and it changes dramatically. I have often thought the Shard in London looks like a mystical tower. Here in this view it certainly lives up to this image! Highlight one element of a picture and immediately it starts communicating its message – as you will see from these picturesContinue reading “The Power of Light to Uplift the Spirit and Transform a Dark World”
For Love of the Sea and the East Sussex Coastline
Living in the Midlands, one of the things I most miss is being near the sea. Brought up in Kent, as a child I often went on family trips to Rye and Camber Sands in east Sussex. To experience the beauty and vastness of the sea is a magical thing in childhood. I have continued toContinue reading “For Love of the Sea and the East Sussex Coastline”
scskillman.com 