On my last full day I went to an abandoned village – sorry, I’ve forgotten the name. People moved away to be nearer the road where there was electricity and mains water. it was all very atmospheric, but what really caught my eye were the wild cyclamens and the old bridge. As expected, I was sad to leave on Friday morning. The trip started off well enough – 8 am…
The third draft of my novel is going well. The Crooked House is a great place to write. I tried various spots: the little dining table, the bedroom and the terrace. Now I’ve settled on a writing desk in the lounge with the office chair. It’s comfy and well lit and near the kettle. Behind me, out of the photo, there’s a TV with DVDs etc., but I haven’t watched…
I’m in Greece, in a village called Koskina on the island of Euboea. It’s not a touristy zone and I’m not doing much tourism. I’m mostly holed up with a bunch of imaginary friends at The Crooked House working on my whodunnit Murder by Moonlight, and I’m loving it. It’s comfortable and peaceful and the surrounding countryside is lovely. I’m also loving being reunited with my suitcase. I planned it…
There isn’t much Canarian thermophile forest left, because most of it has been cleared for farmland centuries ago. I visited a patch in Breña Baja with friends and I couldn’t wait to come back with my good camera. On Friday there were birds singing, but it was very quiet tonight. I found myself looking closer and closer at little details. Then smaller details, like this prickly pear skeleton And then…
It rained last night, the first real rain we’ve had for months. I can almost hear the ground slurping and sighing with contentment. I’ve been chugging along with the guide book update and I’ve finished the long chapter on the current telescopes (which is well over half the changes) so I awarded myself an hour to go and photograph raindrops. I’ve neglected the mini garden on the balcony in order…
The kittens are growing up. Luna has thrown off her cold and bounces around my friend’s house with her brother. She’s had her first round of vaccines too. My friend has such a hard time telling the kittens apart that we put a red mark on Blue’s head. It’s not elegant, but it does the job. And I’m still chugging away slowly at the guide book update.