August had the potential to save summer. To inject some sunshine into those last thirty one days before September arrived. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Okay, there were moments of warm sunshine. Days when the beach beckoned, or eating in the garden was possible. But somehow the rain just kept coming back, bringing with it gloomy grey skies. I’ve always seen the August Bank Holiday weekend as the gateway to autumn. Having said that, both September and October can often surprise us with unexpected sunshine and unseasonably warm days. So, who knows, maybe this year, an Indian summer awaits us. We can only hope!
AUGUST READS
August has been a quiet month for reading. I’m still working on the outline for my new book, which I plan to begin writing at the end of September. I think that probably cut the number of reads. All in all, it proved to be a month of quality rather than quantity, with Kate Ryder’s Echoes on a Cornish River definitely coming out on top as my favourite read.
September starts with a holiday. Our long awaited trip to Italy. This was booked in February, which seemed ages ago, but suddenly, here it is, less than a fortnight away. We are returning to Desenzano on Lake Garda. It’s my first trip abroad since 2018 and the fated ankle break while staying in Menorca. It was followed shortly after by Covid, which curtailed our ability to take holidays, even in the UK. It will be our fourth trip to the lake and second to Desenzano (where we stayed in 2016) . Italy is one of my favourite holiday destinations. I love everything about the country – the weather, the food, the people…and, of course, the history. I’m so looking forward to this trip, which will be followed by our Ruby Wedding Anniversary in October. And then, we’ll be thinking about Christmas…
Well, that’s all for now. I’ll be back at the end of September. In the meantime, wherever you are, enjoy the coming Bank Holiday.
A little late this month as I spent the last week of June in South Devon. An amazing break, catching up with family and ex-neighbours plus having two friends stay over with us in our apartment.
When visiting South Devon we usually stay in either Dartmouth, Kingsbridge or Salcombe. This year it was the turn of Kingsbridge, where we last stayed in 2017 just before the pandemic put us into lockdown. Post Covid there have been changes in the town. Some retailers have gone, while new ones have arrived. Thankfully the Mangetout Deli is still open and thriving. It was one of the first places we dropped into to purchase items. We have also enjoyed meals at The Crabshell Inn, which is only a few moments walk from our apartment. This year, however, we were shocked to find how much prices had shot up there, so opted to eat elsewhere instead. It’s a great place, right on the water’s edge but I couldn’t believe how expensive it had become.
We had a great week, meeting up with OH’s cousin, and having lunch with ex-neighbours who have moved to Ivybridge. We also had friends join us for a two night stopover. The weather held, hot and cloudless over the first weekend changing to sunny intervals accompanied by a strong wind for the rest of the week (check out the cloud formations as Beesands where we stopped for a coffee at The Cricket Inn on our way to Dartmouth on Thursday).
VIEW FROM OUR APARTMENTCOMPLIMENTARY PROSECCO ON ARRIVALOUR WOOLLY FRIENDS ACROSS THE ESTUARYKINGSBRIDGETHE CRICKET INN AT BEESANDSHEAVY CLOUDS AT BEESANDSBEESANDS LOOKING UP THE COAST TOWARDS DARTMOUTH
We walked a lot, checked out some new eateries and generally relaxed. The view from our apartment window was amazing. A view of the estuary with fields of sheep opposite. South Devon is one of my happy places and Dartmouth has, like Fowey, proved inspirational when creating Kingswater, the fictitious estuary town in my Cornish trilogy.
As at the end of all holidays, we were sad to leave, but now it’s all about where to choose for 2024 – Salcombe or Dartmouth? My money is on Dartmouth. Post Covid we found it swamped with tourists, but now holidays abroad are back, it’s much less crowded. It’s a great place to watch not only people but activity on the water as well. Relaxing and restful, I can’t wait to return.
READING
During June, I managed to read and review five books. It means I have now hit my Goodreads Reading Challenge target for the year. I would like to give a special mention to Sheryl Browne – yet another edge of the seat read with My Husband’s House. I also enjoyed Luisa A Jones’ The Gilded Cage, while Isabel Ashdown’s Homecoming and Nikki Smith’s The Beach Party both received five big stars from me – both highly recommended.
So that’s it for June. Back with you at the end of July.
Wow! A third of the way through 2023 already. I can’t believe how quickly this year is passing. April has been a disappointment as far as the weather is concerned. More overcast days and rain punctuated with the occasional sunny day. I’m hoping we come out of this seemingly never-ending bout of greyness and emerge into wall to wall sunshine for a while. What are the chances, do you think?
April, of course, was publication day for my third and final book in the Cornish Coastal series. I had an amazing response on social media. Once again, thank you to everyone who liked, retweeted or posted a comment. It was very much appreciated, and it’s great to know there is so much support out there.
READING AND REVIEWING
This month I read seven books. Yes, I do try to limit myself to a sensible number but having said that, if I’m lucky enough to find titles I like which are well spaced through the month, it doesn’t seem a problem to add a couple more in. I’m quite a quick reader and so far on my 2023 Goodreads Challenge have completed 26 books. Below are those for April and I found two in particular were exceptional reads – Go As A River by Shelley Read, and The Enemy of Love by Annabelle
So that’s it for now. See you all next month. Take care, and enjoy your weekend.
Due for publication on 25th April, 2023.Currently available to pre-order on Amazon.Com and Amazon.Co.UK
Yes, I guess this is the most important news to come out of March. The third and final instalment of my Cornish Coastal Romance trilogy is finally ready to meet the outside world. Given the kind of health issues that have seen me yo-yoing in and out of hospital for clinic appointments during 2022, it became a bit of a battle to complete The Secrets We Keep. Yes, there were times when I felt like abandoning the whole project, but looking back at how far I had come, I knew I had to keep going, no matter how difficult that final stretch would prove. Thankfully I managed it and can happily confirm I have the all clear and am now looking forward to getting back to regular writing.
Not sure how everyone else feels, but for me the move into summertime with the clocks being put forward an hour is a time for celebration. We’re eventually pulling away from those dark evenings and hopefully can now look forward to brighter, lighter days. Not that the weather is currently playing ball. We’ve had a few really lovely spring days full of sunshine, but there are moments, like today, when winter’s keen to tell us it hasn’t yet left the building!
Next month is a double for me. Birthday and the first of our holidays. We’re returning to Wells Next the Sea on the Norfolk Coast. This will be our fourth trip to this lovely part of the UK. Friendly locals, big skies, sea air, long walks and fabulous food…what more could you want?
MY READ AND REVIEWS FOR MARCH 2023
This month has delivered a great selection of books. I have a quite broad taste when it comes to reading. Despite preferring psychological thrillers, I often opt for something completely different if I know it’s an author whose work I enjoy, or if the synopsis interests me. Four of this month’s choices proved exceptional –
The Last Party at Silverton Hall (a wonderful dual time line read) The Hidden Letters (Lorna Cook being a favourite author of mine, didn’t disappoint with this), The Loch (atmospheric and suspenseful) and The Night She Vanished by Wendy Dranfield, another author who I know always delivers an exceptional read.
So that’s it for now. Hopefully by the time I’m back with my April update, we’ll be in a better place with the weather, with many of us looking forward to our 2023 holidays.
First post of 2023! January has simply whizzed by and now we’re saying goodbye to February. The first month of the year is my least favourite and usually the most quiet. So, I decided to move on and save my first update for February. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to have happened, here so I am, finishing off the post during the first few days of March!
What a lot of difference these weeks have made. The days are lighter and the dusk is nudging towards six pm. Whether you believe in Seasonal Affected Disorder or not, dark mornings and the early onset of dark evenings as the year ends definitely makes an impression on me. And not a good one. The run up to Christmas, with all its social activities acts as a distraction. There are things to look forward to. Purchases to make, get togethers to organise. And then, soon after the last strains of Auld Lang Syne have faded, there you are, face to face with January and a whole month which makes me feel I want to hibernate. No, of course that’s an exaggeration. It’s another year. New things to plan and look forward to. Nevertheless, I always find myself eager to get away from those thirty one days and move into February. And now, here we are, and I know I should not wish my life away, but I’m so glad January and February are behind me.
Fitness classes have resumed and I’m glad because I really felt the need to get back to proper exercise. Standing in the kitchen using two tins of beans for weights is no substitution. Joking aside, I do actually have some proper weights (in a girly pink circa late 1980s). I also have a step exerciser, and a selection of exercise bands, and I try to make time for home exercise. There is no substitution, however, for exercising as a group with a proper fitness trainer.
Holidays – I think everyone thought I was mad booking two holidays for 2023 in November. However, it’s clear from the situation with the current level of bookings on holiday websites that UK holidays a very much in demand. I’m spending my birthday in Norfolk at Wells Next The Sea. We first came here in 2007. Friends of ours retired to Dereham and love it so we always catch up with them whenever we stay here. I’ve always had this thing about boats and water and love Wells. It’s also a place for walkers and is a great opportunity to walk those extra pounds off (the pubs here are very good!)
In June we travel down to Devon. This time we’re in Kingsbridge; somewhere we haven’t stayed for quite a few years, usually opting for Dartmouth if we decide to stay in South Hams. And finally, in September we’re spending a week at Lake Garda. I really love the Italian Lakes and this time we’re going back to Desenzano, staying in the same hotel as we did in 2016. It will be my first trip overseas since Covid. The last time I holidayed out of the UK was in 2018 in Menorca. Memorable for all the wrong reasons, as I broke my ankle stepping awkwardly off the bottom step of the staircase in the villa where we were staying. As a result, I spent most of the summer in plaster, followed by a boot and physio. Not something I’m keen to repeat…
And finally –
READING AND REVIEWING
A busy two months so far – and some exceptionally good reads. For an excellent crime drama, I can recommend The Lonely Lake Killings by Wes Markham. Or if you are a lover of psychological thrillers then why not try The Summer Party by Rebecca Heath?
JANUARY and FEBRUARY
Have a good March everyone, by the time I’m here again, we’ll be looking forward to Easter and hopefully, the weather will be a tad warmer…
So here we are, facing the final few days of 2022. For me, it’s been not only one of the speediest but probably the most challenging. So what exactly has been happening?
WRITING
The plan had been to publish my WIP in August, a month I usually work to for publication. Unfortunately, due to issues which will come to light later in this post, it’s now been rescheduled for the end of January 2023. I’m nearly there, but it has been a long journey, one which has had a knock on effect and caused the start of my 13th novel to be delayed. On a positive note, maybe the beginning of this new year is a good time to launch a new project, who knows? Anyway, in anticipation of the new title, here’s the banner advertising the now completed Cornish trilogy.
HEALTH
The good news is I’ve had my last post Cancer CT scan and once again, thankfully it was clear. All that is left now are two six monthly CEA blood tests and then that’s it. Having experienced the big C, caught at Stage One (for which I am eternally grateful) it has given me a nudge with regard to diet and fitness and I’m not only careful what I eat now, but exercise (mostly walking) regularly.
If I had thought that was it and I could get on with life, I was to be disappointed. In January, I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, something which affects around 1.4 million people. I was put on a small dose of beta blocker and a blood thinner. This worked for a while but gradually I began to feel light headed and breathless. I got to a stage where I couldn’t even walk up a flight of stairs at home without struggling for breath. Back to the doctors and a blood test showed I was severely anaemic and needed a transfusion. After that my iron levels went back to normal as did my breathing. However, the general consensus was that I must have an internal bleed. So began the investigation. To date, I have had a Radioscopy, Colonoscopy and a tablet pill. The latter is swallowed on an empty stomach and takes intermittent pictures of your upper digestive track. All very sci fi and when you think about it, truly amazing. This took place on 13th November and there is an 8 week wait for results – which means I should get them in about two weeks from now. I’ve also had an echocardiogram which takes an ultrasound of the heart. Am happy to say both Radioscopy and Colonoscopy were both clear and the echocardiogram showed no problems. So at the moment, everything hangs on the camera pill results. As for me, I’m feeling well, breathing is fine and energy levels good. I believe if anything was terribly wrong I would have been told by now.
HOLIDAYS
We spent a week in May in Cumbria which due to my health problems wasn’t as enjoyable as it could have been. However, it’s such a beautiful part of the country and sitting in the car it was easy to forget my situation and simply enjoy the scenery.
June, post transfusion, I was back to normal for our trip to Suffolk. We had been here in 2019 and watching The Dig starring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes made me realise I’d missed out on Sutton Hoo. Our trip took place on one of the warmest days of the holiday and we both enjoyed the day there, even if I chickened out of climbing the observation tower. I really don’t do heights! We also did a lot of walking, met up with old friends and enjoyed eating out at some great restaurants and pubs. All in all, a perfect week.
In September we returned to Fowey. After all these years I still find Cornwall a magical place. We stayed in our usual apartment in The Old Stationmaster’s House, within sight of the Boddinick Ferry. The weather was a little disappointing, probably because we’d not been able to book our usual first week of the month, which still manages to hold onto most of August’s heat. Instead, we arrived on the 17th to a chilly breeze and drizzle. There were some brighter days, of course, but a planned trip across on the ferry, followed by a walk along the coastal path to Polruan had to be postponed. I’m sure we’ll get to do that sometime in the future though, as we will definitely be back.
READING
I set my Goodreads Challenge at 45 this year, and having just finished my final read for the year, ended at 71! Because hospital appointments meant I continually had to dip in and out of my writing, it was good to take a break and relax with a book. I’ve already set up for the first six months of 2023 with 17 books. However, I do realise it is important to put my own writing first and that’s something I definitely plan to do in the new year. The trouble is, there are so many good books out there!
Here are a few of my favourite titles for 2022.
And so that’s about it. Another year beckons. New places to go, people to meet, books to be written (and read). So it’s goodbye for now and wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. Tomorrow it’s my turn to cook for friends. The day will be busy with food prep and it will be all about making sure everyone enjoys their evening and raises a glass to the incoming new year.
Yes, I know that seems a little depressing, but for me, the August Bank Holiday weekend has always been a symbol of the ending of summer. It feels like a door closing behind us, moving us on towards autumn. Looking back on this month, I have to confess that it’s been one of the most uncomfortable ever. Sunshine is definitely therapeutic. It energises me, makes me feel relaxed and puts a different face on the world. However, although the heatwave that arrived in the UK during August was very welcome, it soon turned uncomfortable. Despite having all the windows and doors open, some days there was little air. And nights, with most of those windows still open, still meant at times it was difficult to sleep. Open windows also proved an irresistible invitation for insect life. Moths are an expectation. Crickets maybe not, but the worst intruders were spiders, who seem to get bigger and bigger each year. All were given a helping hand out of the bathroom window never to be seen again.
I was around during the 1976 heatwave/drought (whatever you want to call it), when we had ten whole weeks without rain. Gardens were watered with bathwater, lawns went from green to brown (as they have this summer), and stand pipes were issued in some places, leaving people to queue with buckets to collect water. The stand pipes didn’t reach my road and thankfully the country has not experienced such draconian measures now. I remember ironing in my underwear because it was so hot and wondering if it would ever rain again. Comparing them both, Summer 2022 has definitely been the worst experience of the two. In those days there were no talks of global warming, it was just a very long, hot summer. Now what is happening has far reaching implications for both the planet and us in general. Looking forward, I guess the downside of all this is that we will have a very wet autumn. Mother Nature normally balances the seasons, and despite global warming, I have a feeling when the rain does arrive, there will be lots of it.
WRITING: At the beginning of the month my manuscript left the building for editing. Unfortunately, part way in my editor hit a problem. One which needed it to be returned and some comprehensive rewrites undertaken before she could continue. It’s the first time this has happened to me, and I guess it won’t be the last. Even after eleven books, I’m still learning. The delay has meant my hope of a late September publication date has had to be shelved. Instead, I’ve moved it to the New Year, probably late January or early February.
HOLIDAYS: In three weeks we’ll be in Cornwall. Fowey is a place I never tire of. It’s somewhere that really influences my writing. It’s a place where Daphne Du Maurier wrote in her house on the estuary next to the Boddinick Ferry. In fact, in my latest novel, I have taken something from the town – the Old Quay House Hotel – as inspiration for the Estuary House Hotel, which is central to my story. At this moment, with the completion of the third and final part of my Cornish trilogy imminent, I’m fairly open minded about what happens next. It’s always good to discover another part of the West Country where I can put down ‘roots’ and create another community, weaving romance and mystery around the lives of everyday folk. However, there are still characters in my fictitious estuary town of Kingswater who might be able to provide enough interest for a fourth book. I’ll just have to see what soaking up that Cornish atmosphere does. Watch this space!
Old Quay House Hotel, FoweyShip inn, FoweyLooking towards Fowey from PolruanDaphne Du Maurier’s HousePolruan Boats on the EstuaryThe Boddinick FerryDusk on the Estuary
Here we are, once again, saying goodbye to yet another month. We are now a third of the way through 2022. Where has the time gone?
On the writing front, I’ve had a complete overhaul of my writing timetable. I had planned to have my ms ready for editing by the time we go away in May. That is now definitely not happening, which has had a bit of a domino effect, pushing the publication date to later in the year. I’m now looking to publish in early September. Having agreed this change with my editor and formatter, as you can imagine, it’s taken a whole lot of pressure off me. The delays which have caused me to fall behind have been due to health issues. Nothing serious, but it has definitely impacted on my writing.
Note sure whether any of you know, but I live in a village on the eastern side of Bath. We’ve been here many years and have been lucky enough to look out onto open fields at the rear of our property. When we first moved in, a farmer rented the field and we had a herd of Friesians as neighbours Then it was sold off to someone in London and there was talk of them wanting to sell it for building. We realised that things change and although not ideal, this could well happen. A retired businessman not far from us used to pay for the field to be mowed twice a year and then, last year, we heard that he’d managed to purchase it. The great news now is that it is now being developed as a nature reserve. Last September we noticed seed being sewed and automatically thought it was meadow flowers. However, with the arrival of spring, it’s clear they were planting different types of grasses. This week a team have arrived and given an oak tree, which stands a few hundred yards away, a bit of a makeover, cutting out the dead wood. In addition, young trees are being planted in small copses around the field, which when established will provide a useful habitat for wildlife. Â
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I think everyone in the road is relieved that any new neighbours will be of the fur and feathered variety rather than the human kind. Living in an area of outstanding natural beauty and having been incorporated into the Cotswolds it’s a relief to know the area behind the houses will be preserved and won’t be given over to another extension of suburbia.
Our first holiday is imminent. We are spending a week in Cumbria and have chosen a location which gives us the benefit of being able to visit the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales. We’ve not been to the Lakes since the 1980s when we stayed at Ambleside. I have to admit to not ever having visited the Dales, so a new adventure for me – and hopefully plenty of photo opportunities!
And finally, my April reads. I went slightly mad this month. The problem was there were so many good titles to choose from. I ended up with seven in all, which I set out below. Although I enjoyed all of them, two in particular became favourites – Gone To Her Grave by Wendy Dranfield, the fourth in her Detective Madison Harper series. One which I have to say gets better and better with each book. The second was Out of Her Depth by Lizzie Barber. A gripping read, helped by the wonderful Tuscan backdrop which brought back memories of holidays in places like Florence, Sienna and San Gimignano.Â
So that’s it for another month. The next time I’m in touch, I hope to able to post some holiday shots. Until then….
The end of May is here already. How has that happened? The month has sped by, despite the way life in general has shrunk due to Covid-19 rules and regulations. So what have I been up to? I’d love to say I’m enjoying getting back to normal life but unfortunately that’s still a way off. In the meantime, I’m listing my May milestonesÂ
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Follow up with Consultant: Carried out over the phone. I’ve made a good recovery. I’ve healed well, am eating well and exercising regularly. It’s all good news but there will still have to be regular checks.Â
An opportunity to travel farther to exercise: Yes, I know I think we could probably have got away with this earlier, but we played by the rules. Now the daily walk has extended to a couple of local villages where we park up and take a walk. The warm weather has been a real bonus.
Holiday: Our trip to Norfolk won’t be happening. Instead the travel company have allowed us to switch to another date in 2021 and we’ll be charged 2020 prices. Sad not to be going back to Wells Next The Sea (this would have been our third stay here since 2007) but it’s given us something to look forward to. I know a lot of people are keen to get away but until they develop a vaccine holiday experiences, like shopping are going to be vastly different and maybe not so enjoyable.
Birthday: A very surreal experience this year. Normally we’d be out celebrating either together or with friends. Instead I cooked and OH bought some bubbly. Not sure even if restaurants had opened up I would have enjoyed it, given the social distancing and other safety measures that have to be put in place. Still there’s always next year to look forward to.
Writing Now: Cover finalised. A big shout out to Jane Dixon Smith for yet another fabulous cover! Manuscript away with editor. Formatting booked for later in June.Â
Writing What’s next: I have a partially written novel which I’m proposing to resume work on once I’ve taken a short break. Watch this space.
When this time of year comes around I’m reminded of the lyrics of John Lennon’s 1972 hit ‘Happy Christmas (War is Over)’ and the line ‘And so this is Christmas, and what have you done?’Â It’s that moment when I begin to think back over the previous twelve months and ask myself ‘yes what have I done?’
To be honest 2019 has been a pretty quiet year, although there have been a few unforgettable moments. Thankfully it has been nothing like the chaos last year brought with my broken ankle. That happened in May and took a huge chunk out of 2018. I was in plaster for six weeks, swapped it for an orthopaedic boot for two weeks followed by six sessions of physio. During that time I got used to a walking stick and then progressed to walking without any aids. Happily by January I was walking normally, although it appears my days of wearing high heels are over – and being only five feet tall, heels have very much been an essential part of my wardrobe since my teens. The op I had left my right ankle slightly larger than my left which means any high heeled shoes tend to rub under the ankle bone. However, it’s not all bad. I haven’t found myself checking out all those sensible flat shoe styles available in shops . Far from it. I can still wear heels, maybe not as high but still smart and feminine, which my three inch heels aren’t missed. It seems every cloud has a silver lining.
So back to 2019 and those memorable moments.
a) Stratford on Avon in April to celebrate OH’s birthday with friends and a boys’ visit to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon. We stayed at a great pub with rooms called The Bell at Alderminster – highly recommended not only for its accommodation but for it’s restaurant as well. There’s a bus stop outside just in case you don’t feel like trying to locate a car park in Stratford, which can be pretty busy even in April.
The Bell at Alderminster
The Bell’s Garden Bar
One of the Bell’s Stable Rooms
Garden Firepit
b) Suffolk in early June. A whole week at Aldeburgh where we caught up with friends who’ve retired just over the border in Norfolk. A lovely relaxing holiday. Loved the fresh fish cabins set up along the beach front…
Fish Shack Aldeburgh
The Front at Aldeburgh
Found a bookshop here too
One of Aldeburgh’s Fishing Boats
c) Mid-June also saw the publication of my first novel for Choc Lit/Ruby Fiction A Cornish Affair. The end of a long journey, but well worth all the hard work to get there…
d) Early July for three days in North Wales just outside Dolgellau in an amazing B & B called Pandy Isaf. Tucked into a sheltered valley and reached by a narrow single track road, it was an ideal base for touring.
Pandy Isaf
Pandy Isaf
My previous experience of North Wales had been in 2001 when we spent a very wet week in a cottage in Maentwrog not far from Blaenau. I remember catching the train at Blaenau down to Porthmadog. It wasn’t just raining that day, it was pouring. I had a glimpse of Portmeirion towers in the distance as the train approached Porthmadog station. This year, in complete contrast, we had three days of hot sunshine and cloudless skies and we made that visit.
e) Portmeirion. A magical place and with blue skies above it felt just like the Med. This was probably one of the most special moments of 2019 for me. It’s not only quirky it’s beautiful in it’s own special way. The flowers were amazing, especially the hydrangeas which lined the road on the way in. If you’re in the area and planning to visit it’s best to arrive early as by noon it’s packed. Back in the 1960s the series The Prisoner was filmed her and there’s a bust of Patrick McGoohan, the lead actor in the series (see picture below).
Patrick McGoohan, star of the 1960s dranaThe Prisoner
f) September. Dartmouth. Our annual trip to South Devon. This time we took the ferry up to Greenway House and Gardens – Agatha Christie’s house now managed by the National Trust. Her husband was an archaeologist and the house is full of items brought back from countries he visited. It’s an unusual house and although empty now it still feels like home – as if Agatha and her family might walk through the door at any time. To see her first editions and some TV scripts plus her typewriter and the place she used to write gave an interesting insight into her life. All in all a great afternoon.
Dartmouth
Pathway from the ferry up to Greenways
Greenways
Agatha Christie’s first editions and sample TV script
g) October. Falmouth. Although I grew up fifty miles from the sea, I’ve always loved everything about the coastal towns of Devon and Cornwall. Unlike Dartmouth, Falmouth has a working dockyard so it has a slightly more commercial feel. But the views across the estuary to Flushing are still as atmospheric. The Greenbank Hotel where we stayed has great views, an excellent restaurant and relaxing atmosphere. We had misty mornings and pleasant calm sunny days and made the most of the weather by taking the ferry across to St Mawes as well as the train to St Ives and Truro.
View from hotel towards Flushing
That iconic St Ives shot…
St Mawes Ferry
Main Staircase The Greenbank Hotel
Truro Cathedral
So that just about wraps up 2019. Â There have been some great times this year, although there was one sad event.
MAX
MOLLIE
We had two cats, Max and Mollie. Sadly Max disappeared and despite extensive publicity and searches he was never found. Mollie had problems with our new neighbour’s two cats which saw her taking refuge with another neighbour three doors away. We weren’t able to entice her back so settled into an agreement that we would pay her insurance and vet’s bills and our neighbour would pay for her keep and holiday boarding in the cattery. This was supposed to be short term, everyone thinking she would eventually return to us. She didn’t and this summer my neighbour suggested after all this time, if we were agreeable, she would take full responsibility for Mollie.
In truth Mollie was no longer our cat. True she would come into the garden and stop for a while, roll over to have her tummy tickled and then wander off. But anytime she returned she never made any attempt to come into the house. So we made the decision to sign her chip registration over to my neighbour and transfer ownership. It was something of an emotional moment but as I mentioned above, she’d stopped being our cat some time ago. And at least I know she’s happy where she is now.
We’d put a hold on having another cat because there was always the chance Mollie might come back and she really is a loner who doesn’t have feline friends. Now we know that’s not going to happen who knows what 2020 will bring. Another cat? Or maybe a dog? The jury is out at the moment.
So that’s it, a year of travel, writing and animals. It only remains for me to wish everyone reading this health and happiness for the coming new decade.
JO LAMBERT 