castles

Current work: nonfic; MH duo book 2

Listening to: various piano stuff

Reading: Next on TBR pile

I forgot to mention our trip out on Friday (needed to escape for a bit). Went to Orford Castle, which was built by Henry II as one of his defences to keep the Bigods in check. There's also a fascinating story about a merman.

And there's a very strange opening just outside the constable's chamber.

According to the audio guide, this is a rare urinal. (Sorry. I know it's not exactly a salubrious topic. But I was fascinated. It didn't even occur to me: I'd thought garderobes and possibly chamber pots.)

We also visited Framlingham Castle, which is pretty (but practically empty - inside there's a newer building which was formerly a workhouse and a school). Mary Queen of Scots was pronounced queen from here.

You can walk right round the castle walls, at the top - fabulous view. But it's only when you walk round the outside of the castle as well that you notice something about the walk... (That rickety-looking bridge isn't rickety. The real thing is much less scarier than from this viewpoint.)

The loss assessors came yesterday and were really, really nice and helpful. Am shocked by how bad the damage is, though. Three rooms' worth of flooring to be redone... all from one little leak. Not sure how much damage on the cabinets. I did squeak when it turned out our garage wall is damp - because on the other side of that wall are 2,000 books, some of which are antiquarian (think colour, mid 19th-century, i.e. expensive). But my office floor readings are OK so hopefully all is well.

They're coming back next week to do more readings; in the meantime, we have a dehumidifier and fans in. And weeks of disruption to the kitchen!

So now for nice stuff. You can still go into the draw to win a copy of The Spanish Doctor's Love Child at Love is the Best Medicine - where I'm talking about the lure of the Mediterranean.

And I'm also blogging today at The Writing Playground, where a copy of One Night, One Baby is up for grabs. Come and say hello - I'm talking about heroes!

(Yeah, yeah. We all know who that means...)

Lovely review -and still in the Waldies

Current work: nonfic; MH duo book 2
Listening to: various piano stuff
Reading: India Grey, Mistress: Hired for the Buisnessman’s Pleasure (lovely read – and I’m not biased just because I suggested the Chopin *g* - Orlando is wonderfully drawn, as is Rachel)


Had a lovely review from Cataromance for The Spanish Doctor’s Love-Child:

“a wonderfully poignant tale rich in feeling, emotion and romance by a wonderful romantic novelist who never fails to captivate, enthral and move her audience. Featuring a gorgeous hero, a lovely heroine and lots of tender romance, pathos, drama and passion, The Spanish Doctor’s Love Child is a spellbinding tale about moving forward, new beginnings and the redeeming power of love by an extraordinary writer whose books I just cannot get enough of!”

Thank you, Julie Bonello, for making my day.

And a special thank you to those readers who've kept One Night, One Baby on the Waldenbooks' Top Ten list for the third week running.

These sort of things really are helping me get through a personal rough patch. (Did I mention DH ended up being called out to work on Sunday night at stupid o'clock? Bang went my sleep. Couldn't sleep last night, either. Probably because I'm worrying too much.)

Dad wasn’t too bad yesterday, so am keeping fingers crossed that he continues to do well and that particular crisis will resolve. Really pleased that we got some smiles and laughs out of him yesterday.

It's pouring with rain today – but we have to stay in anyway for the insurance loss assessor. Keeping my fingers crossed that that goes without a hiccup. Might take the kids bowling afterwards.

New week, and please let it be better than last

Current work: nonfic; MH duo book 2
Listening to: various piano stuff
Reading: Mistress of the Art of Death, Arianna Franklin (just finished it – superb and this series is going to be autobuy – loved the characters, and particularly enjoyed the historical note)

Thank you to everyone who’s left a note here or emailed me privately about the catalogue of disasters. Appreciated.

Had a nice weekend – spent Saturday with DH’s best friend (barbecue in the rain) and yesterday with bestest family (another barbecue, plus Madam and I made the infamous choc chip cookies. Kleptodog stuck with me as the Person Most Likely To Feed Dog Surreptitious Bits Of Chicken – well, he must be missing his usual weekday lunch with me, which involves him getting surreptitious bits of chicken). Was nice just to try and forget all the other stuff and chill out a bit. Plus one of my friends sent me a replacement chocolate stash, which was very much appreciated. (Dog grabbed the parcel as it came through the letter-box and brought it over to me, bless him.)

There’s a chance to win a copy of The Spanish Doctor’s Love Child this week over at Love is the Best Medicine, so do drop over and talk to me about the lure of the Mediterranean. (Guess who I’m talking about?) I’m also talking about heroes in a couple of other places later this week – will post the links when they’re up.

Plan for today: errands in the morning, maybe some shots for the book (depends on the weather), then going to visit Dad. And I want to stick to my work schedule, which is sensible and doable and will keep me sane.

last straws

A dear friend sent me some flowers on Thursday to cheer me up, which was much appreciated. (She knows who she is. And I’m sending her a big hug.)

But then disaster struck. Our lovely builder came to redo the door in our utility room… but unfortunately he couldn’t do it because he discovered we had a problem. As in a burst pipe. Which at one point we thought was under the screed, but luckily turned out not to be that (the idea of having all the units taken out, the floor hacked out and then rescreeded – nightmare).

Dealing with the insurance claim was fairly horrible – and I speak as someone who has insurance qualifications. (How do they treat people who are less used to dealing with legalese?) It was all ‘no no no, you’re not covered’. Er, I paid for all the extras. Why am I not covered? ‘It’s an exclusion.’ Doesn’t say that in the policy…

Luckily the assessor’s office was really switched on and explained to the insurance company that I was covered for the leak detection and fixing it as well as for the damage caused by the burst pipe, and made them do what they should’ve done in the first place.

Given the ongoing family crises, I could really have done without the hassle. I ended up bawling my eyes out yesterday because I have had ENOUGH. All I want is my nice, happy, quiet life back. No serious illnesses, no deaths, no plumbing hassles. (That’s as much as I’ll say here.)

The assessor is coming on Tuesday. In the meantime I have a huge hole in my utility room floor. If someone knows how to bottle patience, please send me some. (Madam scoffed my chocolate stash so I couldn't even use that!)

At least we have my best aunt and uncle visiting us on Sunday. I'm planning a barbecue, but it'll be one that can be cooked indoors if need be. The way this week is panning out, it'll pour. (Did I mention that it started on Monday morning when, with my arms full of laundry, I opened the door and stepped straight into a pile of vomit, courtesy of Kleptodog? And it hasn't really improved since...)

Derbyshire, part 5

On the Friday (i.e. a week ago today) it was DH’s and my 16th wedding anniversary. We both had a yen to go to the seaside, but as we were smack in the middle of England (about as far as you can get from the sea), it wasn’t possible. The sky was full of louring cloud

and according to country lore when the cows lie down it’s going to rain. (These were the bulls who, um, lurked around the driveway to the cottage.)

So we went to Derby and had a wander round the museum (the bronze age log boat was fascinating) and the shops. Then back to the cottage for a lazy afternoon and another lovely sunset.

Read Judith Lennox's Before the Storm, which was her usual excellent standard - good story and brilliant twists.

Saturday: home. This will give you some idea of our journey…

some good news, for once

Reading: Mistress of the Art of Death, Arianna Franklin (superb storytelling – unsurprisingly, as she’s written one of my all-time top ten novels under another name. Recommended.)

Righty. Real life is still difficult, so here are some nice things that are happening in my life.

Firstly, I have a book out on the shelves in the UK this week (it’s out next month in Aus and US, and in October as a Presents Extra in the US). And I just LOVE the cover.


Secondly… I have a new nonfiction out, which went straight into the Jarrolds' top 5 local books chart on its week of release, and was there again on Saturday (with another of my books).

And thirdly (saving the best until last) - guess what’s #2 on the Waldies list, this week?




Thank you very much to the readers who put me there. And if you want the chance to win a copy of One Night, One Baby, drop by at Book Talk with J&J.

Derbyshire, part 4

Wednesday started with a stunning sunrise. The weather forecast was grim, so we had a lazy day and a trip to the cinema to see Wall-E. (Son needed an animation fix.) Read Lindsey Davies' Saturnalia - enjoyed it, though Falco seems to be becoming much more cynical.

Thursday was a day of dodging showers, starting with another ‘red sky in the morning, shepherds’ warning’ sunrises.

First we went to Dovedale for a walk.

The water in the river was incredibly clear, and you could even see the ducks' feet as they paddled along. Crossed over the Stepping Stones

(this is the setting for the end of my book The Firefighter's Fiance). Saw some sheep right on the edge of the rocks above (this pic is zoomed in).

DH and the kids instantly dubbed them Rocky and Captain Snort (don't ask). Then to Bakewell for some of the famous pudding; and then to lovely Haddon Hall . which was used as the setting for the BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre (the one with Toby Stephens as Rochester) and also in the film The Other Boleyn Girl.

My favourite room was the long gallery, with its odd windows - the glass is set at different angles to make the most of the light.

I was also impressed with the wall paintings in the chapel, especially the St Christopher, and the Tudor kitchens. The gardens were beautiful - and I particularly liked this blue flower. (Can anyone tell me what it is?)

a bit of research (and win a book)

As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve done an interview at Book Talk with J&J, so do drop by and take the chance to win a copy of One Night, One Baby.


Spent yesterday doing some research with the troops. Part of this involved a trip to Morston Quay.



And from there we went out on a boat to Blakeney Point. This was a trip I've wanted to take for absolutely ages. It qualifies as research, because part of my book for Breedon involves flora and fauna: and there was something in particular I wanted to photograph.


Blakeney Point is basically a spit of sand heading out into the North Sea - and it's a rarity because it's one of the few places in the UK where shingle bank, saltmarsh and sand dunes are found together. The old lifeboat station used to be situated at the tip, but the spit has grown another ¾ of a mile since then. The Point has been a nature reserve since 1912 and is under the care of the National Trust; the old lifeboat station is used by the wardens and as an information point.

And what’s on the Point?

One of the largest colonies of seals in the world. In Norfolk, we have both Grey Seals and Common Seals. They spend about 90% of their time out of the water, but sometimes you'll see them going for a swim; they can reach speeds of up to 25mph in the water and can stay submerged for up to 10 minutes. Their whiskers are very sensitive - that's how come they know where to swim for the fish.

But basically they like being in their little family group. The Common Seals have their babies from June-August, and the Greys from Nov-Jan. The babies put on between 1 and 1.5kg per day in the three weeks between birth and weaning.

For the ornithologists among you - this is also a prime spot for tern (Sandwich, Common, Little and Arctic), oyster catchers and ringed plover.

After the boat trip, we switched books and did some more church pics. This is Blakeney. The little tower to the right (I've taken this from the east end) used to be the lighthouse tower. And note the group of 7 lancet windows (albeit with modern glass). There are only two other places in England where there is a group of more than 5 lancet windows - one is in Ockham and the other is Lincoln Cathedral.

And this window is at Briningham. A nice piece of Decorated tracery... though obviously the glass is much newer. And very purple, so I couldn't resist the shot.

Derbyshire, part 3

On Tuesday, we started at the Blue John mines, near Castleton. This is the view outside.

Inside, there were 244 steps each way – and they were very slippery (son and I slipped a couple of times). Very pretty, though.

Some of the flowstone is known as Old Man's Snot...

Despite the description, the kids insisted on touching it… and it felt smooth, like an ice sculpture.

I was in charge of mapreading, so we went the pretty way to Castleton, through the pass.

Then to Peveril Castle. Very steep on the way up (made us realise how unfit we are), but what a view.

Then we visited Hathersage and the church of St Michael and All Angels. Little John's grave is here. The gravestone says: ‘Here lies buried Little John, the friend and lieutenant of Robin Hood. He died in a cottage (now destroyed) to the east of the churchyard. The grave is marked by this old headstone and footstone and is underneath this old yew tree.'

Many of the Eyre family were buried here; the curate was a man called Henry Nussey, whose sister Ellen was best friend to a certain Charlotte Bronte.

Then to Eyam, the plague village. It's a desperately sad story; tailor George Viccars ordered some cloth from London in 1665, when the plague was rampant in London. The cloth seemed damp, so he dried it in front of the fire, not realising that the virus was dormant in the cloth. He died in this cottage a few days later of a strange virus; then other people in the house started dying, and eventually the villagers realised it was the plague. Squire Mompesson, with the consent of the village, sealed off the village; food and medicine and rents etc could be left at the well or the boundary stonebut nobody was allowed in or out. Most people in Eyam died, but their bravery meant that the plague didn't spread to the surrounding villages. One particularly sad story is a girl who met her sweetheart from the next village in secret until her family started dying, when she begged him to stay away. When the village opened its borders again, he discovered that she'd died of the plague; he lived to a very old age but never married because he couldn't forget his sweetheart.

Derbyshire, part 2

Sunday, went to Sudbury Hall, a National Trust property which was used as the location for the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

They also have the Museum of Childhood, which was excellent - 'Mr John' herded us all into the Victorian classroom and told us about what it was like - backstretchers for those who fell asleep (board placed behind your back; your arms hooked back over two thin projections), the cane for boys, a metal rulefor back of girl's hand (thin end used - rendered hand useless for rest of life) and fidgetfingers (board with fingerholes, one for each hand and then tied together behind your back). Unbelievably harsh. We then had a go at writing a copperplate alphabet on a slate. All the adults were lambasted for being hopeless!

Sudbury Hall itself was pretty, and small enough that you could imagine living there. I particularly liked the overflow library, with its narrow wrought iron spiral staircase.

From there, we went to Tutbury Castle, which is Norman in origin. (This is the Great Tower.)

The castle belonged to John of Gaunt in the 14th century; he introduced the Minstrels' Fair which carried on to the 17th century. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here several times. The castle was slighted after the Civil War and fell into ruin.

The view from the great tower is pretty spectacular (this is the rest of the castle grounds)

and we were delighted to see a reenactment group there - we watched a medieval sword fight and son had a go at archery. I was especially pleased to talk to one lady about 15th century costume. (OK, so I sneaked in a tiny bit of work while on holiday, but I happen to be interested in the subject and this was too good an opportunity to pass up.)

Then dinner out in Burton. We came home to another gorgeous sunset; the sun was actually blood red, but sadly the camera shows it as white.

On Monday, we went to the Heights of Abraham, in Matlock. The cable car ride is 1/3 of a mile and climbs over four towers to 169m. (This is a pic of the cable cars from the top.)

We went into the Masson show cave, with a light show ranging from a single miners' candle to a multi-coloured show. Then we had lunch and saw a very funny Punch and Judy show.

Then we went into the Great Rutland Cavern Nestus mine - a 17th century lead mine, though it's thought that the Romans worked the mine.

The cable car ride down was scarier - it's on a continuous loop and stops halfway so people at the ends can get on and off. And the wind was stronger on the way back...

Catchup in real life (win a book)

Have been doing some exploring with the kids, involving areas of the county we haven’t really gone to before. (This is work. As I've just sold another nonfic book, I'm working on three at once plus one on spec, all of which need pics and therefore mean family research trips. DH is with us, this week, and the younger members of my research team are a tad disgruntled to find that means no cafe and chocolate cake. Oops.)

Norfolk has more round-towered churches than anywhere else in the country. This is Hales church, which is seriously pretty – thatched roof, Norman blank arcading outside (and a fab Norman door), and inside you can actually see the imprint of the weave of the basket in the Saxon splay window.

We also have a very odd church tower at Burgh St Peter (the church is actually dedicated to St Mary, not St Peter). It was built by the Boycott family as a kind of memorial - the family whose name has passed into general usage as the word 'boycott'. Charles, the grandson of the man who made the tower, was a land agent who tried to enforce rent rises for an absentee landlord in Ireland; everyone refused to speak to him or his family, to work for him or to sell him goods.

And just to prove how rural an area this is – here’s a brood of pheasant chicks who took over the road.

From there we ended up at the seaside. This is the new big wheel at Yarmouth.


And here are the wind turbines. The sky is not blue, by the way. This is a North Sea storm about to blow. (See clouds on the pic above, taken about three minutes before.) I liked the quality of the light here. You'd never believe I had a huge funfair right behind me, with one of the oldest rollercoasters in Europe, would you?



In other stuff… I’m doing an interview at Book Talk with J&J, so do drop by and take up the chance to win a copy of One Night, One Baby.

The Modern Heat girls are also doing a whole series of blogs at I Heart Presents – so do drop by there, too!

Derbyshire, part 1

Hot and sunny as we set off on Saturday. The directions were fine until we reached Nottingham (for non-UK readers, this is Robin Hood country) and the so-called ‘unnamed road’ turned out to be a no-access road... At that point I switched back to map-reading, and we made it through to Roston.

Our cottage is a converted milking parlour on a working dairy farm.

This is the view from our bedroom window.

And there's also a beautiful chestnut horse, so Madam is delighted.

From the front of the cottage, we have a view of the Peak District.

Gorgeous sunset that evening,

so DH and I sat in the garden with a glass of wine, just chilling out.

Roston is where George Eliot's father was born - and Ashbourne, the nearest town, is the setting for her novel Adam Bede.

back

Back safely from Derbyshire, though our journey home was awful – a diversion, followed by a huge traffic jam, followed by extremely heavy rain (meaning driving visibility was poor). However. Had a good break and will blog about it with pics next week.

This also distracts from the family crisis - which is even messier than it was before we went away (yup, we had phone calls). And I returned home to two new and pretty big worries. Can’t blog about any of this, but let’s say Smiley Kate is, um, really having to force that smile and I should really learn not to talk too soon. DH is off this week but it’s unlikely we’ll be doing what we planned (i.e. my research trips to see the seals and the Broads – they’ll have to be shoehorned in later). As DH and I both have to deal with crises, it means we’ll have to take turns - our children are the youngest on both sides of the family, so we can’t just drop everything and rush off. If only I could clone myself. Or had a magic wand. Either would be a huge help. Shame they’re fiction.

On that note I’ll focus on the good things that have happened. Before I went on hols, my lovely ed emailed me to say that she loved the revisions for Surrender to the Playboy Sheikh and it’s out in March 2009. And my equally lovely agent rang me to say that How To Books love the outline for the follow-up to my previous two titles, and when can I deliver? And… I was knocked out of the Jarrolds Top Five Local Bestsellers – by myself. In at #2 and #3 last week (and both titles still there this week too). BBC Radio Norfolk and the Evening News both want to talk me about the new book; so work is ticking over OK.