Today, I share photos of the south coast of England where I’ve just spent four days. Eastbourne, Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters together form one of England’s loveliest coastlines. Enjoy these images. Seagulls, sky, sun, water, pebbly beaches, chalk cliffs and walks to the lighthouse all combine to give you this beauty. Why notContinue reading “The Beauty of the Sea: East Sussex Coast, England”
Category Archives: places of inspiration
Book Review: ‘St Nicholas Owen: Priest-Hole Maker’ by Tony Reynolds
This past weekend I visited Harvington Hall in Worcestershire – a 14th century house built upon an island and surrounded by a moat both of which can be traced back to the 13th century. A recusant Catholic family lived here so it was a focus for Jesuit priests who had come to Britain during theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘St Nicholas Owen: Priest-Hole Maker’ by Tony Reynolds”
Book Review: ‘How the Irish Saved Civilization’ by Thomas Cahill
How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill has the subtitle: ‘The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe.’ I loved the title of this book and was led to read it after I visited Tintagel; the Roman remains and exhibition at St Albans; andContinue reading “Book Review: ‘How the Irish Saved Civilization’ by Thomas Cahill”
Sunset over the Sea at Newquay, Cornwall
Today I share some views from Narrowcliff at Newquay, Cornwall. I took these photos on 6th and 7th July 2023. Sometimes blogs are best with fewer words! Sign up here to join my mailing list. I send out a monthly newsletter in which I share gems and snippets from my research discoveries, and news andContinue reading “Sunset over the Sea at Newquay, Cornwall”
How I Came to Write ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’
I have often been asked how I came to write Paranormal Warwickshire. It began soon after my arrival in Warwickshire twenty eight years ago, through the experience of visiting many of Warwickshire’s iconic locations. A fellow writer, Sue Vincent, a great traveller throughout our country and its historic, sacred and mysterious sites, who has nowContinue reading “How I Came to Write ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’”
A Visit to Warwick Castle 1st April 2023
Today I share a few photos from Warwick Castle which I visited again the other day to see the new trebuchet being fired, and to update some of the information I give in my chapter on the Trebuchet in my forthcoming book A-Z of Warwick. A-Z of Warwick will be published on 15th November 2023Continue reading “A Visit to Warwick Castle 1st April 2023”
The Power of a Writers’ Conference – Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference 2023 in Cumbernauld near Glasgow
I’m just back from an amazing Writing Conference in the Hilton Hotel, Spa and Golf Course near Glasgow – and what a packed, exciting weekend it was! I was invited to the conference by the Scottish Association of Writers, to judge the Nonfiction Writing Competition and to give a workshop on Writing Literary Nonfiction. SoContinue reading “The Power of a Writers’ Conference – Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference 2023 in Cumbernauld near Glasgow”
Strange Tales from Paranormal Warwickshire Part 3: Shakespeare’s Ghosts and Spirits
When it comes to William Shakespeare‘s own beliefs about ghosts and spirits, scholars and actors hold divergent views. ‘Did Shakespeare believe in ghosts and spirits?” said the actor who led the Stratford-upon-Avon town ghost tour. “One hundred per cent! Of course he did!” And the unspoken corollary to that was, of course, so do allContinue reading “Strange Tales from Paranormal Warwickshire Part 3: Shakespeare’s Ghosts and Spirits”
Strange Tales From Paranormal Warwickshire Part 2: Guy’s Cliffe
Today I continue my series with the second episode: the mysterious ruined manor house off the Coventry Road, Warwick. The land at Guy’s Cliffe has been a magnet for Celtic hermits, holy people, and legendary heroes since well before the Norman Conquest, and for medieval historians and the Warwick earls later. The combination of wildContinue reading “Strange Tales From Paranormal Warwickshire Part 2: Guy’s Cliffe”
Strange Tales From Paranormal Warwickshire part 1: Warwick Castle
Today, I begin the first episode in a series of strange tales from my book Paranormal Warwickshire. Warwick Castle is, of course, the first thing many people think of when Warwick comes to mind. And no wonder: when I researched for my forthcoming book ‘A-Z of Warwick‘ (due out in November 2023 and now onContinue reading “Strange Tales From Paranormal Warwickshire part 1: Warwick Castle”
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