In this post, I take up again my Cornwall mini series which I started on 8th October 2019. I opened the series with the beach at Mawgan Porth and continued with a series of short reflections on different places easily reached from St Columb Major. In early July 2020, we visited Cornwall again, during theContinue reading “Cornwall Mini Series part 11: Falmouth Discovery Quay and Pendennis Castle”
Category Archives: UK
A Resurgence in Withdrawal – Covid-19 Lockdown Art
So many of us have reacted in different ways in the UK lockdown, some being energized and leaping into action in house and garden, others relapsing into lethargy, feeling flat and down and disorientated and bewildered by what’s going on in the world. Others may have taken up a new activity or found themselves behavingContinue reading “A Resurgence in Withdrawal – Covid-19 Lockdown Art”
Angel Encounters Mini series Part 4. Unusual Angels – Bikers in Leathers
What do you think modern angels might look like? Like this? Since my last post in this series a reader has given me the story of a modern day angel encounter. I’m grateful to my author friend Anna Hopkins for giving me this story, passed onto her by the lady vicar who experienced it. ThisContinue reading “Angel Encounters Mini series Part 4. Unusual Angels – Bikers in Leathers”
Angel Encounters Mini Series: Part 3. A Divine Encounter: the Right People in the Right Place at the Right Time
Angel encounters: another person, who just happens to be nice? God? Or an angel? In the Bible the identity of angels is often confused with/ blurred with God. “Was it God or an angel?” is often a question you have in your mind after a biblical encounter. Examples are the story where Jacob wrestled withContinue reading “Angel Encounters Mini Series: Part 3. A Divine Encounter: the Right People in the Right Place at the Right Time”
Angel Encounters Mini Series: Part 2. “I met Two Angels in a Mercedes Benz on a Dark Road Near Oxford.”
In the days before we all had mobile phones and satnavs, I drove north along the M40, heading home to Warwick, having visited my elderly father near Sevenoaks in Kent. Dusk had fallen. I looked at my petrol gauge; the marker hovered on red. I had no hope of reaching the next services before runningContinue reading “Angel Encounters Mini Series: Part 2. “I met Two Angels in a Mercedes Benz on a Dark Road Near Oxford.””
Angel Encounters Mini Series Part 1. Modern-Day Angel Encounters – With or Without Wings.
What does a modern day angel look like? Like the fussy angel played by Michael Sheen in the deliciously funny and clever ‘Good Omens’ by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett? More, perhaps like this angel depicted by Vincent Van Gogh? or maybe like the powerful and moving Knife Angel that appeared at Coventry Cathedral inContinue reading “Angel Encounters Mini Series Part 1. Modern-Day Angel Encounters – With or Without Wings.”
Cover Reveal: ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’ by SC Skillman
I’m delighted to be able to bring you the cover reveal for my new book, Paranormal Warwickshire, which is due to be released by Amberley Publishing on 15th November 2020. I’ve been looking forward to this for several months, as I wondered which of the photos (taken either by myself, by my son Jamie orContinue reading “Cover Reveal: ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’ by SC Skillman”
#SocialDistancing #Walks in Enchanted Woodlands
I admit I rather like taking nature walks where everyone we meet is social distancing… with a polite smile, other walkers withdraw into the shrubbery or the bracken and we pass each other by at a safe distance, or with jokes about whether we are on the right route and whether we’re going round inContinue reading “#SocialDistancing #Walks in Enchanted Woodlands”
Inspiration for Creative Writers From Grayson Perry in Grayson’s Art Club
Honesty and truthfulness – these are the outstanding virtues of a great artist. And as a creative writer I am currently finding inspiration from artist Grayson Perry as he showcases “Covid-19 lockdown art” in his TV show “Grayson’s Art Club” on Channel 4. Grayson makes use of our contemporary culture which he transforms into artContinue reading “Inspiration for Creative Writers From Grayson Perry in Grayson’s Art Club”
Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors
During the Covid19 lockdown, the Society of Authors are presenting a number of webinars with notable authors, and the other day I attended “Afternoon Tea with Philip Pullman”. I was keen to hear from the author of a fantasy trilogy that captivated me, “His Dark Materials“. 500 of us attended, all waiting with drinks andContinue reading “Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors”