What I’ve been doing in lockdown…

The novella…

First, I have been writing. My novella “Past Echoes” was finally finished mid-May and will be published in this anthology by Liberta Books at the end of June, along with stories by Sarah Mallory, Lesley Cookman, Sophie Weston, Joanna Maitland and Louise Allen.

Who’s there? Lovers, vampires… A body?

Little Piddling is a resort with ambitions, but odd things keep happening there. Especially among its pretty beach huts. There have been sightings of strange creatures and who knows what else? Would you dark to walk along that beach in the dark?

We missed out on our writing retreat in the Lake District but we supported one another through a hard week getting the words down with Zoom meetings every evening when we reported on progress and raised a glass of self-isolated wine. We still do this every Friday evening, which is truly special.

What else?

Crochet.

I haven’t crocheted for years but I downloaded this free pattern from Deramores and decided to make a cushion in colours to match the print hanging on the wall behind the sofa.

I’ve just started a second one for the other side.

The weather – until this weekend when it seems to be winter again – has been beautiful and I’ve also been working fairly hard in the garden. It’s basically a courtyard with a four foot high raised bed along one side which means, because I’m short, I garden on a stepladder. It does have the advantage that everything is on a level with my windows, which is perfect.

This was a little earlier in the spring – after most of the daffodils and tulips and before the lupins and foxgloves. I would have gone out an taken a picture of it now, but the north wind is blowing a gale out there!

In other news, we had kittens! At least my daughter’s cat had kittens. Four gorgeous little fluff bundles. She has kept two little girls. Bear, the black and white one in front and Pixie, a tabby. The other two went together to a new home.

Because of lock down, the planned trip to the vet was not possible and poor Luna is expecting another litter any day. As soon as they are delivered, all three girls will be making that trip to the vet!

I’ll be back very soon with news of a free book download. Meanwhile, take care, stay safe.

See you soon.