Yes, apologies everyone. Following a perfect week in Lake Garda, Italy, we arrived back at Bristol Airport only to be struck down by a virus infection. Although Covid tests were taken and showed a negative result, I did have my suspicions. I lost my sense of smell, and that has never happened before. Even with a cold, I’ve always had some sense of smell. Not this time. We both had different symptoms too. While I had runny nose and blocked head (plus the lack of smell), OH began with those symptoms, but quickly developed a cough. Continuous intakes of paracetamol and cough mixture gradually improved things. However, it was a case of keeping up the medication and staying indoors, to avoid giving it to others. Not sure where we picked this up. We’d used buses and ferries during our week, and eaten out in local restaurants, so it could have been anywhere. Glad to report it’s now packed its bags and gone.
WRITING
I’m pleased to report that I have at last made a start my new WIP. I decided to take a break over the summer. I stepped back from writing, and it was great to have some protected time. We went away (Norfolk and Devon) and I read a lot. At the same time I began to jot down my thoughts in relation to a new story. As always, everything came in fragments, some of which didn’t fit but I scribbled them down anyway – you never know, it just might come in handy. Eventually, a plot started to take shape and I began writing last weekend. My last three books have featured a coastal backdrop. The towns involved inspired by both Devon and Cornwall. The perfect place to base a fictitious community. This time I am moving inland, but there will still be water as a lake will form a central part of the new neighbourhood. I’ll be chatting more about this in next month’s update.
AND FINALLY, READING…
A busy month for reading. Four big favourites here – The Cottage at Whisper Lake set in Australia, New Dreams at Polkerran Point set in Cornwall, Absolutely and Forever set in 1950 and 60’s Britain and Under a Gilded Sky set in nineteenth century America. They’re all very different and definitely a departure from my usual choices, but all four turned out to be very special reads.
I’m currently reading actor Richard Armitage’s debut novel Geneva, a thriller which is proving quite addictive. I’ll be back again at the end of the month with more news. Until then, have a good October…
JO LAMBERT 