The Ponts Couverts September was hot. Hot pavements, hot air whether in St Pancras, Paris or our destination, Strasbourg.  We crossed Paris through the edge of St. Denis where kids tried to sell cigarettes, homeless slept or begged on pavements. Some things don't...

Lammas loaf owl with salt eyes Traditionally August is a month for reflection beginning as it does with Lammas. According to the Celtic Earth cycle, it signifies the first harvest. Hence, the loaf of bread. Not only do we gather corn, fruit  and vegetables during...

Entrance to The Hurst This year I was unable to spend time in Iona on Roselle Angwin's Writing Retreat. I've written elsewhere about the benefits of spending time away from home in the company of other poets and on the beautiful island Iona. The repair to my elbow...

Rest, relaxation and recovery. A few days ago I spent time with my husband walking and relaxing in Derbyshire. We'd cancelled a weekend away in March because I'd broken my elbow and after 3 months I was looking forward rediscovering favourite walks. Previously we've...

Unusually for me in January 2023 I decided to make specific targets with my writing. 1. Submit Making Good to an agent or publisher  2. Find ways of promoting A Time for Peace (published in 2016) 3. Complete 1st draft a a new novel, Kaleidoscope. With that in mind I...

Heart After Dorianne Laux  Heart rattles rolls into long grass under an apple tree Heart thumps bang bang bang slips slippery as a cucumber Heart is not/cannot/not even when it snows Heart is dark darker bright brighter brightening light Heart switches on switches off...