I visited Cottisford, which is the village of Fordlow in the Candleford books, last week. It was a totally unexpected visit, brought about because Mr A’s bicycle had a puncture and he needed my assistance. Unfortunately the “instant bike tyre…
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According to the meteorological calendar Spring starts on 1 March and finishes on 31 May. Certainly this year 1 March was a beautiful day and looking ahead to the coming week, the sunny weather looks set to continue. I spent…
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When I started my half hour daily walks, I undertook to report back to you on progress. Well, I have done six walks every week, with the seventh one being stopped by rain, so feel pretty proud of myself. I…
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As I write this I wonder whether you actually celebrate Valentine’s Day? We do. Perhaps with not so much excitement as we did in earlier years, when we had a few days away, but nevertheless we celebrate. This year it…
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I read an article last week about making little changes to improve one’s health and fitness, so decided I would give it a go. I have chosen to do a half hour walk each day. This was one of the…
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We are currently in the midst of bidding farewell to the Dragon and welcoming the Snake. Yes, it was the start of the Lunar New Year on Wednesday and the celebrations will culminate with the Lantern Festival on 12 February. …
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Having made myself accountable to you all, I am delighted to report that both my green jumper and my latest premature baby blanket have been finished and the blanket has been delivered to the collection point for the hospital. I…
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It’s been an interesting week. I gave my first author talk in years to a local group in my home town on Thursday afternoon. People said they enjoyed it, which is always good to hear, although one always feels…
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To do or not to do?In other words, procrastination. For a start I love the word, and for seconds I’m rather good at it. Many years ago, a very dear friend once said to me, “Why do today what you…
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Well, here we are in 2025. I hope it’s started well for you and that you haven’t been too hindered by the weather, whether too hot or too cold or too waterlogged. It’s currently raining here and washing away some…
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And then it was nearly New Year’s Eve! How was your Christmas? I hope whatever you chose to do was special for you and that you were gifted a book from the Emotions series. Mr A and I spent Christmas…
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What does Christmas mean to you, I wonder? It means so many different things to so many different people. To children it might mean Father Christmas, presents, nativity plays, carol concerts and finally school holidays. To the people who teach…
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To send, or not to send, that is the question… I decided a few years ago not to send Christmas cards, apart from to the children and grandchildren and Mr A’s German relatives. At the time I was a working…
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I’ve had a thoughtful couple of weeks as I’ve not been too well and one of the things I’ve been thinking about is the restaurants that Mr A and I visit. As you will know from previous snippets we’re always…
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Never mind about the leaves that are green turning to brown, I think we may be by-passing autumn and heading straight for winter. I do hope, if you’re in the UK, that you haven’t been adversely affected by Storm Bert. …
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As it was Remembrance Sunday last Sunday, my thoughts turned to my father’s war medals. A friend came to lunch who worked for the MOD all his life and used to organise the uniforms for the major military events, such…
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I felt it appropriate this week to write a few words about Remembrance Sunday, held in the UK on the second Sunday in November, to commemorate the contribution made by British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen in the two…
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As Simon and Garfunkel sang in 1966 (for those of you who are old enough to remember), “and the leaves that are green turn to brown.” The arrival of autumn sparks very definite feelings. For some it makes things more…
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I hadn’t been to a classic car meeting for a while, but on Saturday I accompanied Mr A to Haddenham Classic Cars’ meeting at Bradmoor Farm. The weather was fine and it was a most enjoyable morning. We took our…
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Here I am, back from a weekend away in Lymington. Sadly the main street has many closed shops, as do a lot of other places that we all know, but I very much liked the shops that were left. There…
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What do your thoughts turn to with the chillier weather and the darker nights? I really enjoy reading and writing and also knitting at this time of year. I have just finished another baby blanket for the John Radcliffe Hospital,…
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“Let’s go out for a meal after my meeting with my publisher,” I said to my husband. “Let’s try somewhere different,” he replied. “I’ve never eaten Nepalese food. Do you fancy giving it a go?” So…that’s how Mr A and…
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I’m really excited to tell you that Conflicting Emotions is now available and first of all I must thank those of you who have already bought it. Thank you all so very much. With the latest book done and dusted,…
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The fabulous fourth in my Emotions series comes out today, bringing more stories of love, loss and laughter in the Rowlands family. I really enjoyed writing Conflicting Emotions: An Oxfordshire Quandary – and I very much hope you’ll enjoy reading…
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Hello everyone It’s hard to believe we’re nearly half way through September, although the days are drawing in really quickly now. It’s the time of year to curl up with a good book and a cup of coffee/glass of wine. …
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Here I am outside Whistlers in Chipping Norton, during a walkabout where I was reminiscing about the locations in my novels. Like Susie, I used to enjoy visiting Whistlers when I lived in Church Enstone. It is now ten years…
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