Roll-up for the mystery tour!

Yesterday was such an unexpectedly beautiful day, that my partner and I decided to change our plans and go on a mystery tour. With no real destination in mind, other than finding somewhere new to explore, we found ourselves in several little country villages and hamlets, before dropping into Knowle for a saunter around the churchyard and a leisurely cuppa.

We chose Elderberry Blacks Café for a drink for both of us, and a sausage and mushroom sandwich for my partner.

But what entranced me most about the place was it's quaintness and in particular the Hobbit-sized toilet.

Now I don't think I've ever written a post about a toilet before, but this one was quirky and unexpected - a bit like me!

With its tiny entrance carved into the framework of the building, the room boasted a log burner and a set of books, as well as the obligatory porcelain.

And it made me smile because I could just imagine Frodo Baggins rummaging around in there. [No cheap jokes about him looking for the ring please ;)...]

So here are the pictures, I hope they make you smile too!

Thank you!

Yesterday I did a talk for Olton Creative Writers at Olton Library. What a wonderfully well-read and creative group of people!

Often those who have an interest in the arts can be a little imperious [stating the phrase with implied inverted commas and capital letters, or fingers held aloft in the air], so it was refreshing to meet such talented and down-to-earth people.

I hope they thoroughly enjoy my books.

Ramada tomorrow!

Looking forward to my talk at the Ramada Solihull tomorrow. Hope to see you there!

The wait is over!

I have kept you in suspense for long enough. I know. Actually I never intended to keep you in suspense at all, but several things needed to be done in the right order and this was just one of them.

Last week I was called into a meeting with the lovely owner of GEM magazine. I had thought that perhaps I was going to be asked to write an article about something, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect her to offer me the posts of columnist and Copy Editor to the magazine!

I was literally stunned into a moment of silence and believe me that doesn't happen a lot. If ever!

So there it was, the offer of a lifetime. And what do you think my response was? I was almost dancing on the table with excitement, especially when I was given full autonomy over what I chose to write about. Now my first column is written and the first articles I have to edit, are sitting in my inbox.

I am like a nervous fourteen-year-old all over again... excited, apprehensive, eager and terrified at what the big bad world might throw at me, whilst at the same time eagerly donning my heels and throwing back my head with abandon, ready for the ride of a lifetime.

What will they think of me, the GEM readers? Will they like my quirky style, my references to what's happening in my life, the little bits about whatever book I am writing? I hope so!

If you would like to find out more about GEM magazine, here is the link. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

http://www.gemmedia.co.uk


Happy Reading!