Taking Shape...

Well the new look blog is starting to take shape. I'll probably tweak it a bit more before next week but I couldn't stay away from blog land any longer! Hopefully, I'll start some of the new posts next week and bring a bit more variety to all you lovely readers - hope you know how much I appreciate you. Haven't started on the other blog yet, but that can wait a few more days.

A little bit of excitement - Dangerous Deceit is now available in print! I have the shipment here and I'm so delighted to actually hold my first novel in my hands at last. I love my kindle and e-books but... nothing beats holding a print copy! It's available from Champagne Books - but I have a stock here in the UK of course. You know - just in case anyone wants to read it...

I've posted a link on the sidebar to the great reviews it's been getting - thought it about time I actually acknowledged them somewhere! Will be back soon.

P.S. I keep changing my mind about the heading. Trying the swans one for a while. I took that photo on a misty spring day on Loch Lomond - I loved the atmospheric silence and find it very creative.

Rosemary

Time Out

I've decided to take some time out from blogging and so on over the next two weeks. Apart from the fact we're doing some overdue clearing out at home, I need to overhaul my writing and think about which direction it's going in next. I have far too many projects or half-finished typescripts on the go, not to mention the vast number of forums/blogs/twitter/facebook and two publishers' sites I'm on or take part in. And the writing is getting lost along the way, especially since I'm easily diverted.

I also want to revamp my two blogs and create a new one for children's/tween fiction in preparation for the lead-up to publication of 'Summer of the Eagles' next March. So I won't be posting on this blog again until the end of the month/beginning of August - if I can stay away - and it should look a little different when I restart!

A few improvements I'm hoping to make include:

• a regular Author Spotlight
• favourite books/reviews
• markets/competitions
• news/personal

The timescale of each has to be worked out, but I think it will give a better focus to the blog and will hopefully be more interesting to readers. A huge thank you to all who already follow my blog - it helps me to know I'm not talking to the ether!

Hope you are all having a good summer. See you in a couple of weeks.
Rosemary

Travels in Northumbria

Bamburgh Castle

We came back yesterday from another stimulating few days away, partly visiting dear elderly friends in the Northumberland area. We've been many times before but have always gone straight down the west coast until we could cross the country on to the A1. However, this time we went down the east coast from Edinburgh so we could travel along a different coastline to our destination. And what a good idea it turned out to be, although we had so little time to explore that we've marked all the places we'll come back to on another visit!

Bamburgh Street

Our first stop was the very pretty town of Bamburgh which is topped by an impressive castle. Most of Northumbria is steeped in ancient history and we hadn't realised just how many castles this coastline boasts. The attractive main street has little shops and a lovely cafe/restaurant, The Copper Kettle. This is also where the heroine Grace Darling was born and, unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit the museum. My mother-in-law's brother married into that branch of the family (they were from Whitley Bay) so it will be of particular interest to us.

We had a fleeting stop at Warkworth which has the ruins of a castle situated above the river on one side and the attractive town on the other. But we were disappointed to miss a visit to Lindisfarne. Since visitors have to walk or drive across the causeway at low tide, timing is all important. The other place we'll visit next time is the Farne Islands, by boat from Seahouses. People we met entertained us with stories of their visit to these islands full of birds and their fluffy chicks, where it is almost essential to wear a hat for protection against dive-bombing birds!

Alnmouth Beach

Alnwick Castle Gateway

Alnwick was next, where parts of the magnificent castle starred in the Harry Potter films. We were there on Sunday and the town looked a little forlorn, but the castle and gardens are hugely impressive - too expensive to explore when time was short, but I loved the tiny figures on top of the battlements and gateway. Nearby is the small coastal town of Alnmouth and we had a hearty meal there at the Red Lion. The best part of the evening was wandering along the almost deserted, vast stretch of beach - very good for the soul.

We were delighted with our choice of B&B accommodation as this area was newer to us. We stayed at the relatively new Sycamore House in Lesbury and couldn't have chosen better. In a quiet residential lane, Sycamore House was a peaceful haven away from all busyness. Although it was full, it has only four guestrooms so we hardly knew there was anyone else there until breakfast in the beautiful dining room. Glyn and Valerie were exceptionally kind and welcoming, going that little bit futher to make sure guests have everything they need. Definitely recommend it, as standards were very high.

Sycamore House

The village itself is lovely and the picturesque Crown Inn is within pleasant walking distance of the guest house, down to the river and over a small bridge to the village street, which is ideal if you've been driving about, or have been visiting all day like we were.

Too soon, we had to leave on the journey home yesterday but we stopped at the historic and pretty town of Corbridge on the way north. As well as a good walk from the carpark, over the ancient bridge to the town, there was a very interesting old church to explore - and a great little craft shop. Everywhere we went, we admired the beautiful brickwork of buildings and cottages.

Corbridge

For a writer, such little breaks in new areas is perfect - not too long away from the desk but coming home armed with new experiences, interesting information and more photos. Now just have to find a way of using it all!

Rosemary

Tall Ships Races

Today began one of the biggest shows my birth town of Greenock, in the west coast of Scotland, has put on for many years. The famous Tall Ships have arrived at the historic James Watt Dock and the whole area has taken on a wonderful carnival atmosphere. They last came to Greenock in 1999, when the ships sailed into the East India and Victoria Harbours, spilling over to the Custom House Quay.

This time, however, the extravagana is taking place over the next few days at the site of a multi-million pound development of this historic part of the docks. The A-listed Sugar Warehouses are included in the regeneration and form a back-drop to some of the tall ships this weekend.

Apart from the thousands of visitors descending on the area, it's wonderful to see the variety of crew members from all over the world. Any ship taking part in the Tall Ships Races must have a majority of crew members in the 16 to 25 year old age group, allowing young people to experience the adventure of sailing on the open seas.

With stars such as Lulu and Deacon Blue making a concert appearance, spectacular choreographed evening fireworks, and the Red Arrows display, Greenock is certainly the place to be this weekend. We took the chance to visit this morning before it gets too crowded. And so far, the rain is staying away and the sun is shining! I've posted a bit of history about James Watt on my Regency blog for anyone interested.

Rosemary

A Scottish Island Wedding



Approaching Arran

The sun slowly rose in the almost cloudless sky on the island of Arran, as the preparations began in two separate hotels. The bridegroom nervously donned his kilt in his single room, while the bride and bridesmaid chattered as hair and make-up distracted them until the hour arrived. As the groom waited in patient anticipation in the tiny church, there was a clatter of hoofs announcing the arrival of the ponies and trap.

The first notes of Pachelbel's Canon alerted the guests. The beautiful bride was here. Slowly, she walked down the small aisle on her father's arm, followed by the lovely bridesmaid, and took her place beside her groom.

And so our son was maried to his beautiful bride on Friday as the small selection of family and friends looked on in delight. It seemed the more meaningful as they clearly spoke aloud their vows in such a lovely small church and I was so pleased to be asked to do a reading. My daughter was the bridesmaid - and 'best man' as it turned out, as my son's friend and his wife were about to have their first baby on the mainland! 

The whole day was a delight. The  ponies and Victorian trap were an elegant and romantic addition, carrying the bride and groom from the church at one end of Brodick to the hotel at the other side of the long promenade, much to the delight of all they passed by. The enterprising staff from one newer hotel even asked to use a photo of them in the carriage for their advertising and publications. As the two new families enjoyed a wonderful meal together in the evening, it was the end to a perfect day.

The bride, groom, bridesmaid and a couple of their friends went pony trekking the following morning while we explored the island, then we all met up for lunch.

 

If my long sight was better, I might have seen the golden eagle that suddenly appeared on the mountain top behind the distillery cafe. Mr and Mrs were in fine form, relieved the months of anxious preparation were over!

Our few days on the island were a mini holiday, as we explored the wonderful hills and glens, never far from the stunning coastal villages. The remains of the ancient castle at Lochranza sat in a peaceful setting, while the more imposing Brodick castle was hidden among impressive gardens. Overlooking the whole of Arran, the highest mountain, Goatfell, was visible from everywhere.

With its own whisky distillery, dairy ice cream, cheese, chocolate, beauty products (Arran Aromatics),  as well as various other cottage industries, Arran is a delightful holiday destination and the ferry ride is around an hour from the mainland, making it ideal for a weekend escape. The best part of all is that even in busiest times, there are almost empty beaches, coves and country walks that give it the feel of another world. The Holy Isle is even more of a retreat and is a short boat ride away from Lamlash - and it's completely car-free.

So, all in all, it was the most memorable weekend of the year!

Rosemary