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.

Birthday Bonanza

Well, folks, it's HAPPY 61st BIRTHDAY to me on Saturday.



The day before my birthday, we'll be off to Barcelona for a long weekend.  Our hotel's pretty much central from what I can gather.  Never having been there before, I've googled it like crazy and there's such a lot to see.

Mostly, I think, we'll be off on the Gaudi trail.

*

Last weekend, I was part of a 24 hour writing contest with Writer's Weekly.  What a fantastic experience.  For any of you writers out there who might be interested in joining the next one in the Spring, here's the link:

http://www.writersweekly.com/

So there I was, sitting in my den at my lap top - with my birthday flowers and my birthday banners surrounding me - writing for my life, all day last Saturday.  A real birthday bonanza! The banners and the flowers were early presents from my partner, Dave.  Sweet, hmm?

So all that remains for me to say is, wish me Bon Voyage, constant reader - and Ola Espana! Talk to you when I return.