Last year I managed to get to the "Magic of Middle-Earth" Exhibition at the Novium Museum in Chichester, two days before it closed. But I'm glad I did slide in near the end as it was a packed gallery with plenty for fans of Tolkien's work. For those of you who couldn't make it, here's... Continue Reading →
In my post "Taking Stock of 2024" I talked about how I'd been entering a lot of writing competitions, mostly for poetry and short stories. And I've been shortlisted for some too, which I'm pretty happy with. Recently I was thrilled to find out I've reached the semi-final in the Fabuly Writer's Challenge short story... Continue Reading →
After years of staying away, we finally made it back to Oxford and visited Magdalen College, part of Oxford University. This college has seen a plethora of famous writers come through its doors including, Joseph Addison, Oscar Wilde, and C.S. Lewis. It costs £9.50 for an adult ticket, with some concessions. Only part of the... Continue Reading →
It's been quite a year. It feels like it's been quite a year every year (or possibly every day) for the past seven-ish years. But here we are and it's time to take stock. I actually wrote a blog post in January 2024 detailing some recent changes in my life and what they meant for... Continue Reading →
A new novel idea has me in a chokehold. And as I have a very good feeling about it, I've scrapped my original plan for a new short story collection. However, I've already written a bunch of stories for said collection and I've got more floating about in old folders. To make sure they don't... Continue Reading →
I like to write book and writing themed gift ideas posts for Christmas. In fact I've got five posts on the subject! Rather than write a new one this year, I thought I'd share links to those posts all in one place so you can browse to your heart's content. 5 Christmas Gifts For Readers... Continue Reading →
Moorgate is a London Underground station used by thousands of people every day - but not all of it is on view. Old Moorgate sits alongside the newer station, and it's usually hidden from regular folk. But you can take a tour of it. Old Moorgate station tour The London Transport Museum offers many tours... Continue Reading →
London is the last resting place of many famous writers, including William Blake and Daniel Defoe. You'll find them in the ancient burial ground at Bunhill Fields Burial Ground in Islington. London has many old burial grounds. The ever-expanding city swallowed up local villages and churchyards. Graves disappeared between towering modern high-rise buildings. History hidden... Continue Reading →
The first thing I said on approaching this building was 'It looks like something from Game of Thrones.' It hasn't actually been used in any filming as far as I can tell - but walking through it makes you feel a bit like you're in a movie. It's also not actually a medieval castle, but... Continue Reading →
I love an old building with proper history - something grittier than a fine country house (they have their place, but "working" buildings have more interesting stories). Beaumaris Gaol on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales didn't function as a jail for very long, but it still has some interesting tales and well-preserved features... Continue Reading →
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