patsy

A wee Scottish story

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.

patsy

A Place For Two

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.

patsy

1001 nights

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. 

patsy

Tea time!

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.

patsy

Wednesday word of the week – Staffage

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?

patsy

Still on our travels

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.


	




			
				


			
				


			
				


	
	

		

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I won a literary prize! (sort of)
	


	

		

I haven’t won a prize for my own writing (not lately anyway, although I have entered a few competitions so maybe I will). Instead I’ve won a selection of books by Margaret Holbrook, who ran a draw on her website.










When Margaret offered to post the books to me I explained we were on our travels in the mobile writing retreat / campervan. We realised I’d be passing fairly close to where Margaret lives. As that’s near RHS garden Bridgewater that seemed the ideal place to meet – they don’t just have plants, but also a coffee shop with cake.

I hope you’re impressed with how well we co-ordinate with the planting scheme. I can’t tell you why I look windswept and Margaret doesn’t. I can’t tell you about the books as I haven’t read them yet – I’m looking forward to doing that. I could tell you how many chocolates are left from the box which was also part of the prize, but I’m not going to!