My apologies to everybody who has been waiting patiently for me to write my post, but it has been a very hectic couple of months... I can hardly believe that it's the end of February already! Basically, work has taken over recently, so much so that I've even found that a lot of my weekends are now getting clogged up with it. However I see that while I've been gone the world has still moved on around me. Today was the last day of the Pope's duties before another one is elected, we've had the horse-meat scandal, snow and of course close encounters with asteroids (or if in Russia, even closer!) We've had the passing of Mr. Good Life himself, the Oscars and even more austerity... some things change, some never do.
It hasn't been all bad though, I did take a trip up to Scotland to see one of our customers. I drove up to Manchester in the van, and then Martin and I carried on the journey in his hire car. We drove through the snow, which was coming down quite heavily at the time, but I was more concerned with how pretty everything looked than concerned we might get snowed in - we didn't!
On the journey in the van I dictated a chapter of one of my books, just to see if I could act out the scenes while driving, rather than listening to the radio, which is usually my only company. It was a fifteen hour journey in the van, and I dictated over 8,000 words - I'll have to try that during NanoWriMo! Talking of writing, I did go to the Creative Writing Group again at Waterstones. It was held on Valentines evening, so you can imagine what we all had to write about!
I have started to write a few things for this blog, which I haven't finished yet, so there really is more to come soon... I think on one of them I get on my soapbox a bit, but then if these posts were boring then you wouldn't be reading them :)
Well, I am working for some of this weekend and I've got a get-together with a load of other nerds (sorry, writers) on Saturday, but will make a concerted effort to add to this - I just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten you lot.
Oh yes, just before I go... As with many of you, I have felt over the past few weeks that I would freeze in this cold weather; however, I have just heard that Sir Ranulph Fiennes (one of my heroes) has just been evacuated from his latest expedition because of frostbite... Apparently, he just removed one of his gloves to adjust a strap on his ski binding, and ended up with four poorly fingers! And we complain about the cold? I think I'm going to have to harden up.
Can I just say in here that I wish him and his fingers well, and a damn good try Ranulph - Get well soon.
Okay that's it for now, speak to you soon.
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Friday, 18 January 2013
Waterstones Creative Writing Group
I went to a new creative writing group that was held in Truro's Waterstones store last night.
I didn't know what to expect, although I was sure there would be a few people that were part of the NanoWriMo competition there, and I was right. It was great to see some of the old faces again, and even better to see that they were a lot more relaxed than during the relentless task of writing 50,000 words each!
The last time I went to a writing group, it was one held in Helston Library a few years ago. It was at the time when I had first come up with the idea of my Mother Nature story. I wanted my new story to have a Hollywood kind of feel to it, but as my luck would have it, I was set upon by an old Pagan who wanted to try and change my mind in the way I was going to write it - needless to say she didn't have any influence and I only went to that group a couple of times.
Sarah, the ML for the NanoWriMo and one other ran the group last night. It was good fun, they gave us silly tasks, like we've got ten minutes to write something about 'Inspiration' and then read it out to the rest of the class. There was a good sixteen people there and a couple I'm looking forward to chatting to if I go again.
I'm not totally sure if it's my cup of tea. I spend hours thinking of what I am going to write and when it gets put down, it'll get edited, rewritten, edited again, re-read and spell checked, then given to someone else to read, re-edit depending on what they say, then think damn-it I'm bored with this story and file it.
To think up something in a couple of seconds and then write something that's good enough to read out aloud is a different matter. I held my own, and even got a few giggles from the things I wrote, but all the time I was thinking that I'm wasting valuable writing time at home - you can tell I live in the middle of no-where and don't socialise much :)
To top it off they gave me homework! I've never been one for doing homework, my teachers at school never got any out of me when they told me I had to do it.
Sarah cleverly said that no-one was forcing me to do homework and I didn't have to do it if I didn't want to... bugger, now I have to do it. Actually, I stayed up last night after getting home and did it then!
I think it's quite nice to see faces, and great for people who are either unsure about their writing or need that push to actually put that book on to paper that they've always wanted to write - but I'm not really in either of those groups any more... we'll see in a month when the next one is planned, I'll keep you posted.
I didn't know what to expect, although I was sure there would be a few people that were part of the NanoWriMo competition there, and I was right. It was great to see some of the old faces again, and even better to see that they were a lot more relaxed than during the relentless task of writing 50,000 words each!
The last time I went to a writing group, it was one held in Helston Library a few years ago. It was at the time when I had first come up with the idea of my Mother Nature story. I wanted my new story to have a Hollywood kind of feel to it, but as my luck would have it, I was set upon by an old Pagan who wanted to try and change my mind in the way I was going to write it - needless to say she didn't have any influence and I only went to that group a couple of times.
Sarah, the ML for the NanoWriMo and one other ran the group last night. It was good fun, they gave us silly tasks, like we've got ten minutes to write something about 'Inspiration' and then read it out to the rest of the class. There was a good sixteen people there and a couple I'm looking forward to chatting to if I go again.
I'm not totally sure if it's my cup of tea. I spend hours thinking of what I am going to write and when it gets put down, it'll get edited, rewritten, edited again, re-read and spell checked, then given to someone else to read, re-edit depending on what they say, then think damn-it I'm bored with this story and file it.
To think up something in a couple of seconds and then write something that's good enough to read out aloud is a different matter. I held my own, and even got a few giggles from the things I wrote, but all the time I was thinking that I'm wasting valuable writing time at home - you can tell I live in the middle of no-where and don't socialise much :)
To top it off they gave me homework! I've never been one for doing homework, my teachers at school never got any out of me when they told me I had to do it.
Sarah cleverly said that no-one was forcing me to do homework and I didn't have to do it if I didn't want to... bugger, now I have to do it. Actually, I stayed up last night after getting home and did it then!
I think it's quite nice to see faces, and great for people who are either unsure about their writing or need that push to actually put that book on to paper that they've always wanted to write - but I'm not really in either of those groups any more... we'll see in a month when the next one is planned, I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Fish!
Well, my fish tank has had it's weekly clean and I've decided to add a couple of additions to it - so now you'll see theres some more Zebra Danios and Tetras. I'm pleased as punch and have already wasted an hour this morning watching them all swimming about :)
Upstairs Downstairs Cafe
Last time I spoke about food on here, I wasn't best pleased by what was dished up - and if you read it then you'll know that I refused my portion. Today I want to swap the cards completely and tell you about a fantastic little eatery in Truro for that occasional treat.
I have always thought there has been a place in this country for a good old-fashioned American diner. You know the type, self-coloured metal caravans where half the electricity supply is used on the jukebox and if you play the tune of the day, the cooks come out to the tables and do a bit of line-dancing! There are a couple around but they are few and far between, the best I think are on the cruise ships.
However, down Cathedral Lane in Truro there is a little gem of a place that brings the feel of Tennessee Diner to my back door, relatively. Upstairs-Downstairs Cafe has been around for quite a long time, but last year they decided to change their decor, add in a jukebox and start serving the typical american cafe food - without the enormous American size servings, oh thank the Lord (Alright, I know we're in mid-Cornwall and not mid-America, just trying to get into character!)
Seriously though, I went in there yesterday for breakfast. I have been in there a couple of times and have always felt as though it was a treat, and yesterday was no exception. I ordered a typical US breakfast: Bacon, Sausage, Egg and two pancakes with Maple syrup. It was divine! In fact, writing this now is making me feel like getting in the car and going there again. The bacon was cooked to perfection, and didn't have those bits on from someone elses food because the pan wasn't cleaned out. The egg was sunny-side up, perfectly runny and yet cooked properly and best of all there was an individual pot of Maple syrup so I could pour it exactly where I wanted on the plate.
The people who work there are friendly and are very pleased to chat and the prices are very reasonable. If you want a Fred recommendation and a treat then next time you go shopping in Truro, do check it out; especially if you have teenagers, they will love it.
I have always thought there has been a place in this country for a good old-fashioned American diner. You know the type, self-coloured metal caravans where half the electricity supply is used on the jukebox and if you play the tune of the day, the cooks come out to the tables and do a bit of line-dancing! There are a couple around but they are few and far between, the best I think are on the cruise ships.
However, down Cathedral Lane in Truro there is a little gem of a place that brings the feel of Tennessee Diner to my back door, relatively. Upstairs-Downstairs Cafe has been around for quite a long time, but last year they decided to change their decor, add in a jukebox and start serving the typical american cafe food - without the enormous American size servings, oh thank the Lord (Alright, I know we're in mid-Cornwall and not mid-America, just trying to get into character!)
Seriously though, I went in there yesterday for breakfast. I have been in there a couple of times and have always felt as though it was a treat, and yesterday was no exception. I ordered a typical US breakfast: Bacon, Sausage, Egg and two pancakes with Maple syrup. It was divine! In fact, writing this now is making me feel like getting in the car and going there again. The bacon was cooked to perfection, and didn't have those bits on from someone elses food because the pan wasn't cleaned out. The egg was sunny-side up, perfectly runny and yet cooked properly and best of all there was an individual pot of Maple syrup so I could pour it exactly where I wanted on the plate.
The people who work there are friendly and are very pleased to chat and the prices are very reasonable. If you want a Fred recommendation and a treat then next time you go shopping in Truro, do check it out; especially if you have teenagers, they will love it.
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Happy New Year
Well, it's a little bit late, but give me a break, like many of you out there I've been suffering from a mild headache - we call it hangover in the industry.
It been a nice break from work over the Christmas period, although I haven't got half as much done as I would like to do - again! I have been very busy on the family tree, which to be honest has put my writing back these two weeks. However, tomorrow is the first day back at work, and as tradition follows, I will be up at 4:30am to my writing.
I much prefer writing on dark January, February and March mornings. I really can't seem to get half as much done when the dawn's get lighter. I've prepared the files and notes on my desk and set my alarm.
To everybody out there I wish a Happy New Year, and lets all hope that 2013 is the year that we all hoped 2012 was supposed to be.
It been a nice break from work over the Christmas period, although I haven't got half as much done as I would like to do - again! I have been very busy on the family tree, which to be honest has put my writing back these two weeks. However, tomorrow is the first day back at work, and as tradition follows, I will be up at 4:30am to my writing.
I much prefer writing on dark January, February and March mornings. I really can't seem to get half as much done when the dawn's get lighter. I've prepared the files and notes on my desk and set my alarm.
To everybody out there I wish a Happy New Year, and lets all hope that 2013 is the year that we all hoped 2012 was supposed to be.
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
Merry Christmas
Good morning everybody, and a very Merry Christmas to you all !!!
It's going to be a nice and quiet one for me today, Steve hasn't arisen yet and Mason isn't due over until about midday. So having a bit of alone time getting some last little bits ready, dishwasher is on and I'm preparing dinner. Just thought I'd pop in here and wish everybody some festive cheer.
Have a great day, one and all. x
It's going to be a nice and quiet one for me today, Steve hasn't arisen yet and Mason isn't due over until about midday. So having a bit of alone time getting some last little bits ready, dishwasher is on and I'm preparing dinner. Just thought I'd pop in here and wish everybody some festive cheer.
Have a great day, one and all. x
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Thumbs down for the Atlantic Inn
Myself, Cassandra and my boys, Steve and Mason, decided to go down to the Atlantic Inn for lunch yesterday. It was a miserable day, Helston was just starting to flood from the rains and we didn't want to go too far. The Atlantic Inn can be seen from my balcony window but I've only been down there once before (I'm not really a pub person); however, as it's also quite rare that I get the chance to have food with my two favourite boys together, I wanted to show them the best that Porthleven can offer.
I have up to then, never had a bad meal in the small village where I live. For the best food, on special occasions, then Amelies at the Smokehouse is the best. Next, I would recommend the Harbour Inn, where I have eaten many times. The Atlantic Inn I'm afraid has spoilt that record.
Cassandra ordered fish and chips, and us boys picked the house burger and chips. For a guide to the prices the burger and chips was eight pounds and ninety-five pence, meaning the meal is in my opinion at the higher end of the pub-food marketplace.
The chips were cold, obviously plastic bagged oven chips... dried out and appeared to have had a couple of cycles under the heat before they were dished out to us - oh yes and to make it worse there were no sauces or even vinegar!
The plates weren't heated up and although everything else was cold, Cassandra burnt her mouth on the mushy-peas, which should never have been served up so hot.
The small amount of fresh salad was not fresh and the onion rings were most surely the cheap Iceland variety, but wait, what about the burger?
The dried up, pathetic excuse for a bap was about four and a half inches in diameter, curled up at the edges and no-where near an inch deep when both sides were put together. However, the thing that put me into a fit of giggles was when I opened up the two halves of the bread to find a small, weightless and again not hot, attempt at a burger framed by the bread surrounding it.
Needless to say I sent my meal back and refused to have anything else from them. The boys and Cassandra were both starving and so picked at the food they were given... we didn't stay long and instead went back to my place so that I could get them something else to fill their stomachs.
Poor show Atlantic Inn! I will be honest in saying that I would have preferred a McDonald's to what you offered, and I would have saved myself a bunch of notes. I think you should be embarrassed promoting good pub food and serving the rubbish you sold us.
Attached is the actual meal I was offered, make up your own opinion.
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