Watford Writers

Yesterday I attended Watford Writers at Café Cha Cha in Cassiobury Park.

On manuscript evenings members bring something to read and afterwards receive constructive comments from the group.

Yesterday, was a little different. There was a quiz about t.v. films and books. I did not do well but I'm not going to confess how  badly I did. We then played consequences. I chose Charles II for my character. I wrote a bit about him, and then folded the paper down, passed it on and answered the other questions on other papers. At the end the results were read out.

A number of men chose to be David Beckham. I leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Locked Out

After spending an enjoyable Sunday with some of my friends I returned home, went upstairs and could not open my bedroom door. Guess what! My address book, diary and mobile were in the bedroom. I used my landline to phone people whose numbers I remembered. Everyone was out.
Eventually I contacted a workman who came within the hour. He managed to open the door but the paintwork has been damaged. Anyway, in spite of that, I'm grateful to him.

Tag for The Captain and The Countess

Last night I woke at 2.a.m and fretted about all the things I must do and those I want to do. While trying to go back to sleep I composed a 21 word description of my new novel The Captain and The Countess for my publisher. Afraid I would forget it, I turned on the bedside lamp and jotted it down on a notepad I keep beside my bed. I've sent it to my copy editor and hope she approves of it.

Garden Centres and Stephen

Yesterday, my 11 year-old grandson had a day off school. He spent the morning with me, and asked to visit a garden centre. Off we went. I bought some tulip bulbs - a different variety to the ones already in the garden. The pink and peach coloured flowers will be frilly. I also bought a tray of winter cabbage.

Grandson did not find anything he wanted so we went to Homebase. He chose a cactus in a blue pot with orange Mexican inspired designs and promptly named it Stephen. The cactus is tiny but it has vicious thorns.

I bought a tray of purple sprouting broccoli and some rock roses reduced to 20p a pot. I'll nurture them in the greenhouse until next year.

Who are you?

Yesterday, while I made green tomato chutney and considered my store of homemade jam, jelly, chutney and pickles with satisfaction, a fair-haired slip of a girl came to mind. She was making a conserve (of what?)when a servant rushed into the still room saying: "the soldiers are coming." At that point I sensed the anxiety of the girl, who loved her home, her garden, her still room and other country pursuits. Who is she? What is her name? Was she real or is she a figment of my imagination?
For a long time I have been considering writing a novel centred around a garden, perhaps my mystery girl will feature in it. At the moment, I want to get to know her.

Festival of Romance

I'm really looking forward to attending the Festival of Romance. I'm looking forward to meeting friends and making new ones as well as to the events. At the moment, I'm thinking about what to wear. A sari for a special event, a smart outfit to wear when I read an extract from Far Beyond Rubies, something appropriate for the awards etc.

Fewtival of Romance 2013

Yesterday, I booked accommodation at the Park Inn in Bedford for the 2013 Festival of Romance at which I shall be a participating author.

By the way, you could win a weekend away at the Festival of Romance and meet your favourite romance authors, thanks to the Romantic Novelists' Association

Details are at:  http://festivalofromance.co.uk/#/win-tickets/4578722184

Harvest from my Organic Garden

Since I went on holiday to Woolacombe Bay in Devonshire my routine has been interrupted, but, to use a cliché, I'm back on track.

There's a bumper crop of fruit and vegetables this year. The apples, pears and plums are more delicious than any bought from the shops.

I've made chutney, jam and pickles and am about to make rhubarb pickle. I've also stewed plums and put them in containers in the freezer - I'll enjoy them in the winter months. I've also hoarded rhubarb, apple and apple and blackberry pies in the freezer.

So, I'm wishing myself bon apetit. Cheers everyone.

From My Bookcase

Following the Drum - The Lives of Army Wives and Daughters Past and Present by Annabel Venning.

"Scanning four Centuries from the 1660's to the present day. Following the Drum tells the stories of wives, daughters and mistresses of the British army who followed their military menfolk to some of the most treacherous places in the world."

Annabel Vennings tells "of women taken captive, or forced to become fugitives in enemy territory; of women who endured long marches and harsh sieges; women who chose to follow their men onto the battlefield itself; women who had to give birth to the sound of canon fire and then march on minutes later; women who found themselves widowed and alone in a strange land; and of women who struggled to keep themselves and their families alive as the world they knew disintegrated around them."

A fascinating read, I glanced through the book and can't resist re-reading it.

Radish Pickle

Trying to be super-disciplined. Finished writing at 10 a.m. and got on in the garden. Some radish plants had formed seed pods. Hmm, I thought, I bet I can do something with them, so I googled radish seed pod pickles, found a recipe and followed it, however I replaced the chillies with mustard. Now I'll give the pickle time to mature and then taste it with interest. Next project is to pickle peppery nasturtium seeds and to make lemonade, some of which I'll use to make ice lollies.

From my Bookcase

The third publication I had forgotten I own is Waterloo A Guide to the Battlefield, The Official Guide of the Waterloo Committee published by Pitkin. It is informative with illustrations in colour. The guide book was written by the late David Howard who, according to His Grace the Duke of Wellington at the time of publication, "...book A Near Run Thing is certainly one of the most exciting accounts of the battle I have ever read."

From my Bookcase

Another 40 page long book I had forgotten I bought is one of the Men-At-Arms-Series (No.130) Wellington's Heavy Cavalry by Bryan Fosten, published by Osprey Military. There is a lot of useful information and it contains many black and white illustrations as well as coloured ones.

Men-At-Arms Series 126

I should catalogue my small but useful collection of non-fiction. Recently, I visited the National Army Museum in search of information. (At the moment I am researching British Hussar Regiments in the late 18th and early 19th century for my new novel, Monday's Child, the sequel to Sunday's Child published as an e-book.) Anyway, while removing a book from the shelf I found Wellington's Light Cavalry No.126 in the Men-At-Arms-Series by Bryan Fosten published by Osprey. I bought this informative book with many illustrations of uniforms and equipment ages ago and had forgotten about it. That's why I need to make a list of my books.

From My Bookshelf

Redcoat - The British Soldier in the Age of Horse and Musket by Richard Holmes is an interesting addition to my library.

 'Wonderful ...Not just a work of history - but of enthusiasm and unparalleled knowledge.' Bernard Cornwell.

'Redcoat is the story of the British soldier from the Seven Year War through to the Mutiny and Crimea. It is consistently entertaining, full of brilliantly chosen anecdotes, and rattles along at a good light infantry pace.' David Crane. Spectator Books of the Year.

From my bookcase Wellington's...

Amongst other books I am reading Wellington's Peninsular War Generals & Their Battles. A Biographical and Historical Dictionary by T. A. Heathcote.

The book "covers the lives of forty-one of the best known divisional commanders, principal staff officers and heads of supporting arms and services in Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese army which famously halted Napoleon's previously invincible eagles and forced them back into France..."

Home Grown Vegetables

Home grown vegetables for lunch today. New potatoes with parsley sauce, Swiss Chard dressed with powdered sesame seeds and vinegar and runner beans. Delicious.

English Costume for Sports and Outdoor Recreation.

English Costume for Sports and Outdoor Recreation 16th - 19th century by C. Willet and Phillis Cummington is a very interesting book. I don't own a copy but have frequently consulted a copy borrowed from the library.

Weeds and Pot Marigolds

The weeds have been growing like crazy, and the Lady's Mantle had finished flowering in a long narrow border, so I weeded and pruned this morning. Must say the pot marigolds look marvellous they are about two and a half feet tall, usually they are only about fifteen inches tall.

Costumes ffor Birth, Marriage and Death

Costumes for Births Marriage and Death by P.E.Cunnington and Catherine Lucas from the 11th century to 1914.  In the past I have consulted this book which is informative and interesting.

Costume - Household Servants -11th - 19th Century

Costume of Household Servants by P.E. Cunnington.

I don't own a copy of this book, but I have consulted and read it for pleasure in the past, and found it interesting and useful.