Tales from the Country

I was visiting my mum yesterday and had to nip outside to grab something from the car. As I opened the front door and stepped outside, a furry headed creature with inquisitive eyes looked up at me from beneath my car on the driveway.

Oh my goodness. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not fond of small furry creatures of the scurrying variety. So I stepped backwards into the house and closed the door to reconsider my options. Then I realised the thing wasn’t that small nor was it scurrying, but happily sauntering. So what was it? The element of surprise threw me. It was definitely not a rat, a mouse or a squirrel, far too big for that and far too relaxed.

Being a very brave bunny, I eased open the door again to see the thing still there slinking across the grass. It looked like a ferret to me, but then I’m not really up on my wildlife and you don’t get ferrets wandering around the countryside, do you?

I called my mum and Lizzie and they both looked at it from the window and made a collective sigh of ‘awwwww!!’ followed by, ‘what is it?’

I tell you, it was an absolute beauty, all golden silky hair coiffured to perfection. It looked as though it had just had come out of the salon. It was too big to be a stoat, not weasly enough to be a weasel, so I think it must have been an escapee ferret.

By the time I’d found the sense to get my camera, it had become bored and wandered off into the back garden and no doubt the fields beyond. It wasn’t spooked by my presence at all and I’m sure if I’d invited it in, he would have happily obliged, but memories of dear old Richard Whiteley’s encounter with a ferret were high in mind.

I know I should get out more, but really it was sooooo exciting and made my day!

Reminded me of when I lived in a block of flats and came home from work one day to find a frog sitting on the stairs blocking my way. I mean, it wasn’t that big a frog, but there was no way I was going to get past it. I did what any self-respecting girl about town would do and screamed, before running down the stairs and knocking on my neighbour’s door. He duly came to my rescue and moved the frog on. I suppose in a novel it would have led to a romantic encounter, but sadly not in this case.

Maybe I should have kissed that frog. Who knows where that could have led.....

A Good Week

I had a lovely day yesterday. I went off to Brighton for the day to meet some friends from my online writing group. We are an international bunch and one of the members was over from Canada so it was great to meet her for the first time and to see some of the others again.

We had a fish and chip lunch on the seafront (well you have to really, don't you), a walk along the length of the pier, a cup of tea in the park outside the Royal Pavilion and lots of lovely chat, writerly and otherwise. It was a truly fab day.

In other news, I finally got the synopsis written. After all the terrific advice I received on here, I had no excuses really, although it did take me much longer than I anticipated! I must admit to a warm glow of satisfaction on finishing; 2 x A4 pages and ticking all the relevant boxes, or so I thought.

Then I read the RNA checklist for submissions. I know, I know, any sensible person would have read it before attempting their synopsis. I quickly realised my 2 pages had to be whittled down to 1 page. Aargggh!!

Anyway, it's now done and I have two versions of the synopsis for anyone who might want one!!

Two sales this week as well, one to the Weekly News and one to TLFF. Hooray!

Off now to set up the newly acquired paddling pool in the garden as I think today could be the day, before it per, per, persisently rains all weekend.

Have a good one!

That End of Term Feeling

It's been a hectic social whirl here lately; concerts, discos, picnics and fetes. Don't kids have busy lives these days? I've been pretty in demand too ferrying them around the countryside.

Roll on Wednesday though and the last day of term and then we can look forward to six weeks respite from that whole morning lunchbox, homework, pe kit torment and the trials of the school run.

Note to self: remember this year to check that all lunchboxes have been removed from school bags so there are no nasty surprises waiting for us early in September.

Anyway, Stop Press, I have my own social engagement tonight. I'm going out for dinner as it is, I've just learned, my anniversary today. Oof. A card appeared late afternoon, rather tellingly, on the other great love in my life, my laptop. That was a nice surprise.

I don't know about you, but I find this whole writing lark makes me a little bit forgetful, distracted, away with the fairies. Either that or it's my hormones or my age. Possibly a combination of all three?

Have a great weekend!

Snop-sees

This is a notice of intent.

I will write my synopsis this week. Today even. At least I will start it today.

I've thought about it long enough. Written it in my head a dozen times over, but the actual act of applying words to paper is proving a trifle difficult.

Basically I don't know where to start. I suppose the beginning is as good a place as any.

Yes, I will do it. I've told you now. There are no excuses. I simply have to write it now.

Any tips, anyone?

My Weekly - July 12th issue

What do Helen Mirren, Womagwriter and I share in common? Ha ha, we all appear in the latest issue of My Weekly. Okay, some of us more prominently than others, but hey, even so!

Lovely to receive my contributor's copy today and great to be alongside a fellow blogger.

I reckon that has to be worth 78p of anyone's money!

Game, Set and Match

Aw, shame about Murray.

I had a moment's pang, but to be honest I've been rooting for Nadal from the start. He's a fine figure of a man, isn't he? I had a text from a friend at the beginning of last night's match asking 'had I seen his muscles?' Well, really, I could see nothing else. I think they must build them differently on the continent.

George just shakes his head in dismay, but I've told him I'm at a funny age....

Things got even more exciting afterwards with the start of Marco Pierre White's new TV series. The love interest in IYCSTH is based loosely, oh okay then, quite muchly, on a certain tempestuous, flamboyant, michelin-starred chef so I was watching with a professional eye.

That reminds me I should be moving on with the edit of the novel. I have a sickly child at home today but she's snuggled up on the sofa at the moment so I might just be able to squeeze in an hour or four on the computer.

Btw, George's new name for me, Blogger Blodwyn. It's quite sweet really, isn't it?