A Wine Glass, Walking, Waterfalls - and Wikinut!

A WINE GLASS

Monster Wine Glass!

It was my husband's birthday last month - and his favourite present was from our son, Phil.  A great, big, huge MONSTER of a wine glass!

 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVE


WALKING

That's me, in Holywell Dene

It was such a bonny day last Sunday, that Dave and I went off in the car to Holywell Dene in Northumberland, to walk in the woods and meadows.  What a find!  Just 15 minutes drive from where we live in the town of North Shields and we were out in the glorious countryside, sun beating down on us, a flask of tea in our back pack and a smile on our faces at the beauty of the place.  We didn't walk right down to the coastline on this walk, but you can - and we probably will next time.  There'll be an article about our wonderful walk in Holywell Dene written by yours truly VERY SOON.  So watch this space, 
constant readers.

WRITE ON:

It's all happening for me AGAIN on the writing front, folks.  I received some information about a course on writing stage plays.  It looks brilliant.  Doesn't start until next May.  Hope it doesn't get in the way of the forthcoming OLYMPICS.  I'm going to apply, though - and hope I get accepted.
There's another course - a Creative Writing Workshop via Tyne Met College - starting September that I'm considering.  Having given up my writing courses, I'm beginning to miss the company of the writing fraternity (notwithstanding the excellent support I get for writers online, of course: not to mention my dear writing buddy, Fleur, in SA.

 ...And then...I've been getting organised, dear readers and made a start on getting my first novel underway - PROPERLY...AT LAST!!  It's called 'Lavender Cat', a story for young adults.  Wish me luck - keep your fingers well and truly  XX'd for me, won't you? 

Over the last week or so, I've published an article for Purple Slinky online: 

Swan-ee, How I Love Ya!

http://purpleslinky.com/offbeat/swan-ee-how-i-love-ya/

and a feature on my North east Life blog/column:

All Fall Down in Windermere!

Just the Ticket – A Walker’s Paradise on Windermere Lake

http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/community/blogs/detail/just-the-ticket--a-walkers-paradise-on-windermere-lake/id/5509/

Time to have Fun at the Tyne Bar!

...and...I've been commissioned by the Tyne Bar, Ouseburn,Newcastle to write a feature for them.  I'm honoured, Tyne Bar. Thanks.  I'll be writing the feature soon.  I'll keep you posted, constant readers.

 ...and... there's more (!!!) ... I've been invited to write the jacket of the fabulous BONESHAKERS blues band's forthcoming 
11-track CD.  I'll keep you posted on that too.


  



WATERFALLS

Startling Stock Ghyll Force

Continuing the saga of my jaunts with my Australian sister, my next piece of writing is about the stunning waterfall of Stock Ghyll Force in Ambleside.  It will be featured in North East Life Mag online - and possibly elsewhere.  When (if!!) it's published, I'll give you the link.

WIKINUT

"What a name!" I hear you say.  I did too.  However, I checked them out, applied and got accepted to write for them.  I've written two features for them up to now.  Here they are:

Parc Guell in Barcelona

Viva Barcelona!

http://travel.wikinut.com/Viva-Barcelona!/1hocwet0/

Boneshakers Blues it at the Sand Dancer Pub

The Land of the Sand Dancer

http://travel.wikinut.com/The-Land-of-the-Sand-Dancer/15w3msfv/

I hope you enjoy them.  In the meantime, I must get back to this novel of mine.
Go and have fun, dear readers.  And may all your dreams come TRUE.

Boats 'n' Barbeques!

WHEN THE BOAT COMES IN

The boat I'm talking about is the Shields ferry that runs between North and South Shields.  We popped down to take a look at this icon on a blue-skied, sunny Sunday afternoon at the new ferry landing at North Shields. 

The boat was tethered (anchored?) taking on passengers who were about to make the seven minute journey to South Shields.

 
The famous Chain Locker pub that overlooked the North Shields side has gone, to be replaced by the majestic 'Chain Locker Apartments' (for rich yuppies only!) with its listed exterior called 'The Crane House'.
The infamous 'Jungle' that also overlooked the Tyne at North Shields has long gone, to be replaced by beautiful Collingwood mansions apartments.

Me and Collingwood Mansions

How the world has changed, hmm? 
And then we saw SWANS.  Yes, SWANS - on the River Tyne no less.  Oh, yes, the world has certainly changed!  I remember clearly, when nursing at the A & E department at Newcastle General Hospital (oh, dear, that's gone too) if anyone fell in the River Tyne, they were unlikely to survive the filth and pollution of the Tyne.  Now there are salmon -and SWANS. 


I came here to do a bit of last minute research for a story I was writing for the ALIBI television channel's annual story-writing competition.  Fingers crossed for me, dear readers, please?  The story is about an old Scottish busker whose already gammy legs meet with a crowbar after a trip on the Shields ferry to perform at South Shields Market.  It's called

 'MACK THE KNIFE'.

BARBEQUES ON BALMY EVENINGS

Me and Phil in Sausage mode!

After we'd pulled up shrubs, potted tubs and baskets, mowed the poor old dilapidated lawn, we were ready for some fun, the garden being SET FOR SUMMER!!

Mr Jim Cat ran up a tree and pawed at us forever from his lofty position!

                

Rosie Cat went to bed!

We set up up the barbeque, hungry and ready for a good old beanfeast.  We cooked sausages and burgers for Phil and Dave; a lovely bit of salmon (NOT from the River Tyne, I don't expect); a big old salad bowl - YUM!

Maybe Summer's here, finally, CONSTANT READERS 

Talk Soon