Estimation is the process or result of making an estimate, an opinion or judgement of worth, or an old term for esteem.
By my estimation it’s time for another plug for my books. You’d all go up in my estimation if you bought one 😉 (perhaps one of these which are currently reduced to 99p / 99c) Same applies if you read it on Kindle Unlimited, or borrow it from the library …
I don’t tend to get up really early, unless there’s a good reason, such as taking a sunrise shot of the lighthouse on the Mull of Galloway.
That was quite a few weeks ago (we’ve been so busy exploring, photographing and writing that I’ve found it hard to keep up with blogging). If I’d done it today it would have been much easier, thanks to it now getting light later, plus the clocks going back. I don’t think we’d have had such good weather though.
The word keep has a variety of meanings.
To keep is to retain or preserve – I keep food fresh by keeping it in the fridge. Or it can mean detain or prevent – Don’t let reading this blog keep you from writing. Or to guard or protect – keep yourself safe on the internet by keeping your passwords secret. It’s also part of a castle!
There are other uses for the word, but I’m not going to keep on typing as that’s kept me away from my stories long enough. Maybe some of you would like to keep on with the definitions or examples?
Not long ago, on a dreich day, we walked along the Ayrshire coast towards Greenan castle. On the way, we met a charming lady (I think she may be called Morag) and her delightful Scottie dogs (or dugs as they’re known round here) called Hamish and Robbie. Each had a tartan collar and bow. As we went our separate ways, Morag called the bots away to their porridge – apparently they like some every morning.
I ‘stormed the castle’ (OK, scrambled up the steep path), had a look round, then Gary and I went back to the van for tea, Empire biscuits, and shortbread.
We’re still away in our campervan, and that’s definitely a place for two. A Place For Two is also the title of my story in the current The People’s Friend Special.
That’s not my original title – that was A Good Judge Of Character. As quite often happens, someone at the magazine changed it. There can be all sorts of reasons for that – they might already be using something similar, or have done so recently, a different one might fit better on the page, or felt to be more suitable.
I don’t mind, although on this occasion I much prefer my original (not that I’m biased or anything!) I’m very pleased with the illustration. It’s not only very attractive, but also extremely appropriate. If you read the story, let me know if you agree.
Tantamount, which is almost always followed by ‘to’ means equivalent.
Clicking on my blog is tantamount to agreeing to see more of my photos!
We’ve slept our thousandth and first night in the ‘mobile writing retreat’ along the Ayrshire coast. Those nights have been spent in England, Scotland (and many Scottish islands) Wales, both northern and souther Ireland, and France.
I’ve not kept a record of precisely what has been written in the van, as opposed to home. It’s probably not over 1,000 individual stories, but the figure will be in the hundreds. Large parts of some of my novels were also written in the van, usually parked up in the location that part of the story was set. When Arnold from my Little Mallow series went to France, I of course went too, just in case he forgot any of the important details!
Of course I don’t just write, there’s also lots of exploring and photography – which in turn inspired my romance Leave Nothing But Footprints, which involves two photographers and a campervan.
Here’s a selection of images taken on our trips.
If you know anything about me at all, you’re probably aware I like a cup of tea (with cake, obviously). The campervan teapot and kettle are currently getting plenty of use.
Tea isn’t just a refreshing hot drink, and accompaniment to the necessary writing fuel, it can also be a source of inspiration – as with this story of mine in the current Take a Break Fiction special.
Staffage is the visual arts equivalent of minor characters in a novel. They’re animals or people in the background. Part of the scene, but not the subject.
As I can’t draw, I’m attempting to illustrate this through photos of a crow. In one he’s the central character, the subject – in the other he’s really just staffage. See what I mean?
We’ve reached Scotland! Actually we’ve been here a while, but not as long as you’d expect considering when we left home – but then we did stop off at quite a few places in England and do a detour through Wales on the way.
Here I am not in any of those countries. I’m way up in the air on the Chirk aqueduct. Behind me is a sign saying welcome to England, and ahead is one saying welcome to Wales (and croseo i Gymru too, of course) but where I’m standing is neither. Are there other places in the world which aren’t technically in any country?
Btw, I’ve just sent out my latest newsletter, so if you’re subscribed you should have received that, with more of my travel photos, plus a chance to win a free ebook. If you’re not on the list and would like to be, you can sign up here.
