Category: Life in General

I’m a writer who’s not been writing. That is to say, anything I’ve written in the last few months is for something that’s personal to me, not for publication, or maybe one day to show a few specific people.

Reasons I’ve not been writing are many, including having got out of the habit owing to the wrist break last year (good now but not perfect with some aches), but mostly because I’ve been more focused on exercise and health issues, which would be easier if I gave in and sat at home, but I refuse to be a shut-in at my age. I may avoid people at times (or certain people all the time), but I enjoy getting outdoors and going to new destinations. It’s taken a long time for my mindset to get around to ‘screw this’ even though I’m going to struggle. I see an acupuncturist as a last resort because the health service can’t do anything for me — the only available meds made me worse. I foolishly didn’t even realise I was dealing with a cronic pain issue, until my acupuncturist said, and then I felt like crying. But I choked it back and carried on, which is the way I’ve handled most things in life. Yes, sadly, life gets in the way sometimes, despite the best intentions.

As for the writing, I’ve got three projects in mind. Something for re-publication, a work in progress, and something new. I’ve started on the re-publication project to get used to writing again, and have proof-edited one chapter and come up with ideas to add to it. I’m not running a race but I’m now motivated to finish.

I’m pleased to share that we recently returned from a much-enjoyed weekend break in Fowey. Having had a thoroughly good time, I thought I’d share some photos along with a few details.

This harbour town nestles in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Cornwall on the west side of a deep estuary facing Polruan, with the Fowey River flowing out to the sea and Bodinnick further upstream. Fowey is perhaps most famous for being home to author Daphne du Maurier, who lived at the blue and white house known as Ferryside, near the Bodinnick Ferry. However, the town offers much more than quaint streets, modern and ancient houses, and boats bobbing on the blue estuary waters. A stay here isn’t complete without taking to the water at least once, whether for a short boat trip or a longer one.

The roads in Fowey can be narrow and steep, with limited parking. We opted for an Airbnb with parking provided for convenience. For those wanting to stay right on the estuary, there are a few options with parking, or you’ll need to leave your vehicle in a long-term public car park.

We enjoyed wandering around this delightful harbour town on our first evening, which allowed me to capture photos without many people around. The next day, we explored more, indulging in excellent food and walking to St. Catherine’s Castle and Readymoney Cove. Unfortunately, our visit to the small beach at the cove was marred by a strong stench, possibly because of nearby fertilising or a worse cause. However, I wouldn’t let this deter anyone from visiting, as there are plenty of other attractions, especially for walking enthusiasts.

One highlight of our trip was the well-known 4-mile Hall Walk, which involves two ferry rides. We started with the large transport ferry to Bodinnick, walked around to Pont Pill (small but pretty), and continued to Polruan. From there, we took the smaller passenger ferry boat back to Fowey, where we ravenously devoured delicious fish and chips at Havener’s restaurant. The walk, which offers some fine spots for photo opportunities, took us a leisurely 2.5 hours, although it can be completed in 2 hours or less depending on fitness and weather. Given the up-and-down nature of the paths and steps, wellingtons or sturdy boots are recommended.

For food, as well as Havener’s, I can also recommend Bufala pizza, Organicafe (lunch and cake), Game of Cones (ice cream), and cakes and pasties from the Quay Bakery.

For those looking to explore further, nearby places of interest include Lanhydrock, The Eden Project, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. However, there’s plenty to do for a fulfilling weekend in Fowey alone.

Hi Everyone!

AT HOME:
We visited relatives for an extended Easter break and, for once, the journeys weren’t too bad despite a hold-up and diversion when returning home owing to a lorry on fire. Of course, these days, the moment one leaves the main road, there’s little to no help. Gone are the days when anyone puts out signs, and don’t bother relying on GPS as Satnavs try the utmost to turn you around to go back the way you came, placing you on the very road you need to avoid.

Monsoon season continues — we’re on our 8th storm of the year right now — and this is affecting a lot of the country. Farmers understandably complain about ruined crops, and business owners complain about lost bookings and fewer visitors. There’s been little in the way of a spring, though we could work on the garden occasionally.

FILM/TV:
Working our way through classic episodes of Doctor Who is interesting. At season 9 now, with Jon Pertwee, who was my first Doctor. I’d forgotten how argumentative this Doctor could be with Lethbridge-Stewart, though the smirk of amusement on the Brigadier’s face softens their confrontations. It’s a delight to see Katy Manning as the companion (Jo) being that she voiced the short audio story I did for Big Finish Productions. I remember her, of course, though I recall which episodes I’ve seen by the monsters more than anything. I’d also forgotten how adventurous Jo Grant was.

WRITING:
I am writing, though there’s not much to report right now, as I’m mostly doing some editing rounds and re-writes. Not very exciting but that’s how writing goes sometimes.
Stay happy and healthy!
Sharon x

Hi Everyone!

AT HOME:
Living in the countryside isn’t always the holiday atmosphere people assume. Officially on the news the South West has had 3 to 4 times the amount of rain it usually has this time of year, so despite trying to get out and about more, some days have been a bit more like monsoon season making some outings impossible. We went for a meal one night, driving through mist and fog to get there. There’s been a lot of what locals call mizzle, some of it icy. There’s some snow at high altitudes. Trying to sort out the garage and make a start on the garden where we can.

FILM/TV:
Watched Saltburn mainly owing to all the shocked buzz about the film, but I worked out what was happening and didn’t see all that much to be perturbed about. The real world is far more startling. I can’t say much surprises me.

Both Asteroid City, and Everything Everywhere All At Once, though fun and entertaining, left us with a sense of WTH did we just watch?

It’s easy to see why Brendon Fraser’s performance in The Whale was award-winning, and makes for compelling drama, throwing up a lot of reasons to question personal point of views, mostly for the good. Of course, The Whale doesn’t refer to his size, but to the emotional states of the characters. In particular, Ellie believes her father, Charlie, to be uncaring, and this has affected her attitude. The end is a little abrupt and purposely ambiguous, with various meanings. The film also showed how some people can react in negative ways to emotional upheaval, such as Charlie’s weight gain, a physical representation of the emotions that weigh everyone in the story down.

WRITING:
I at long last found the missing idea for another book, and I am thinking about re-editing another for a re-release, and am working out a new timeline for a book already written.
Stay happy and healthy!
Sharon x

Hi Everyone!
AT HOME:
Sorry there was no update for December, but not a lot to report. Trip to relatives, horrendous traffic, and a general hatred of travelling anywhere on a major holiday. A definite reason to exclaim one is getting too old for this. And January always seems to be a bit of a bleak month. Illnesses in services have interfered with our receiving various treatments or tests. And, despite my vow to not spend more on the garden, various plants await better weather so that they can go in the ground. There’s also a few more to come.

FILM/TV:
We’re continuing with a few series, including Doctor Who originals. So nice to see finally The Web of Fear, Doctor Who, Season 5 with Patrick Troughton as the first book in the spin-off series of novels featuring Lethbridge-Stewart was The Forgotten Son, written by Andy Frankham-Allen, which follows on from the yeti invasion by the great intelligence. A series I was fortunate to write for. Watching the old shows also made me realise what an excellent book Andy had written in his unofficial guide: Companions, Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants.

We finally got around to watching The Full Monty series (Disney+), and were pleasantly surprised. We thought it would be good, but it has real social commentary, funny, sad, and serious. Every episode flew by.

WRITING:
I have attempted to write again, somewhat delayed with one project potentially lost as I can’t find the article whence the idea sprung. Not as bad as losing actual writing, but a reason to grind teeth for sure. Nothing to report as I’ll be in the old rewriting phase for sometime on an existing draft.
Stay happy and healthy!
Sharon x

I don’t believe resolutions really work, but I have plans after a pretty disastrous 2023 health-wise with a wrist/hand out of typing action for 6 months. I’ve got to get the decorations down and house tidy, plus I have appointments this week. I also need to tidy up the mess of files on my laptop. Then I ‘plan’ (not resolve), to begin exercising again — nothing new, just returning to what I used to do — and to start writing. Hoping all your plans go well.

Hi Everyone!

AT HOME:
We had an extremely wet holiday staying beside (almost in) the Beaulieu River in the New Forest. Fortunately, we were in a stilted house, so weren’t too worried even at high tide, when the water overflowed the bank. Was strange to think had we gone a week earlier we would have enjoyed spring if not summer weather, but our week was like monsoon season, especially in the morning, so we often made a late start to the day. Despite the rain, we managed a couple of pleasant walks, visited some towns, and took a boat up the river. And of course, there were the ponies, though I was a little disappointed to only spot one donkey. The wild ponies are in fact owned by people called commoners, who have the right to graze their stock wild in the forest, so we also saw cows and pigs. Beaulieu village, though tiny, is lovely to visit with some nice places to eat, and we had the most amazing pie from the deli. So amazing we had to buy a second one. Well, they were small, but worth it.

The house refresh restarted upon our return because we’d decided as we’d done so much other work inside, we might as well redo the dining room. The key problem was that meant emptying and moving a lot of furniture, and putting it all back again. We also had a tremendous problem choosing a wallpaper, but think we made an excellent decision, although it wasn’t the easiest to work with, and as I’m the one who wallpapers, I was far from happy.

FILM/TV:
We’re still working our way through Supernatural. Anyone who hasn’t watched Only Murders in the Building should try it; we sped through it. The patter song Steve Martin performs in season three is what would get stars an ovation. That and The Bear are probably the best series we’ve watched on Disney this year, though with it apparently doubling in cost (we were lucky to just get in on the old price this time), we likely only have another few months to enjoy it as while open to an increase next year, we don’t think it’s worth twice the amount. We’re now watching season three of The Watcher, though with Henry Cavill leaving, it’s questionable whether we’ll carry on with another series.

WRITING:
I’ve decided to take a break for the rest of the year, planning to write again in 2024, though I may sort out some files and do a little editing.
Stay happy and healthy!
Sharon x