A.R. Merrydew's Blog, page 4
January 9, 2025
'Tenacity'
Good Morning,
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you are all well, and enjoying your day wherever you are in this world.
Last weekend came and went in the blink of an eye, and due to my work commitments, I was unable to write my weekly post.
When I say work commitments, these were not of a literary nature. I wish.
No, my weekend involved climbing up and down a ladder propped up on the side of my trusty motorhome ‘Vera2’.
Each year I have the pleasure of maintaining the hatches, the solar panels, and all of the other features adorning the roof.
The build up of organic matter in a twelve month period can be quite considerable, especially when you have been moored up beneath trees in the forest.
There had been the possibility of pressure washing this expanse of mobile real estate, however that option fell through, and I was subjected to cleaning the entire roof by hand.
Never one to turn down a challenge, there were moments last Saturday, when I could have comfortably thrown the sponge down. The weather stayed fine though, however the temperature was barely 2c.
I have added a link of the before and after, which having thawed out now, I am proud of my tenacity to say the least.
Tenacious is a most positive term. If someone calls you tenacious you're probably the kind of person who never gives up and never stops trying.
Though I am sure we have all arrived at that point when we have considered ‘throwing down that sponge’.
Those of you who write, have almost certainly been there. I have, and last Saturday was a good example, though it didn’t involve writing a novel.
When I sat down and thought about it, there have been countless other occasions when I have felt like hurling that ‘sponge’ and giving up. Life on the road has it’s moments, and not all of them lift your heart.
However, that tenacity keeps percolating back to the top, and wins over that alternative of giving up.
My advice to you is this. Never give in. Finish that manuscript, complete that script, be tenacious, for the alternative is very simple.
One day you will look back and say to yourself ‘if only.’
Link – https://tinyurl.com/5d77hw28
Link – https://tinyurl.com/yc8s7m
Link – https://tinyurl.com/yckdv8x5
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you are all well, and enjoying your day wherever you are in this world.
Last weekend came and went in the blink of an eye, and due to my work commitments, I was unable to write my weekly post.
When I say work commitments, these were not of a literary nature. I wish.
No, my weekend involved climbing up and down a ladder propped up on the side of my trusty motorhome ‘Vera2’.
Each year I have the pleasure of maintaining the hatches, the solar panels, and all of the other features adorning the roof.
The build up of organic matter in a twelve month period can be quite considerable, especially when you have been moored up beneath trees in the forest.
There had been the possibility of pressure washing this expanse of mobile real estate, however that option fell through, and I was subjected to cleaning the entire roof by hand.
Never one to turn down a challenge, there were moments last Saturday, when I could have comfortably thrown the sponge down. The weather stayed fine though, however the temperature was barely 2c.
I have added a link of the before and after, which having thawed out now, I am proud of my tenacity to say the least.
Tenacious is a most positive term. If someone calls you tenacious you're probably the kind of person who never gives up and never stops trying.
Though I am sure we have all arrived at that point when we have considered ‘throwing down that sponge’.
Those of you who write, have almost certainly been there. I have, and last Saturday was a good example, though it didn’t involve writing a novel.
When I sat down and thought about it, there have been countless other occasions when I have felt like hurling that ‘sponge’ and giving up. Life on the road has it’s moments, and not all of them lift your heart.
However, that tenacity keeps percolating back to the top, and wins over that alternative of giving up.
My advice to you is this. Never give in. Finish that manuscript, complete that script, be tenacious, for the alternative is very simple.
One day you will look back and say to yourself ‘if only.’
Link – https://tinyurl.com/5d77hw28
Link – https://tinyurl.com/yc8s7m
Link – https://tinyurl.com/yckdv8x5
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes
AR
December 31, 2024
'Happy New Year'
Good Evening,
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you are all well, and enjoying this, the last day of 2024.
I will keep this short and sweet. Firstly, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of you who have supported my series of books this year.
Hopefully, by the summer of the New Year, book four will be on the shelves.
In the meantime, have a wonderful New Year with family and friends alike. Let’s hope this forthcoming year will herald a better year than this year, for those suffering around the world.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/5hejvday
Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes for the New Year
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you are all well, and enjoying this, the last day of 2024.
I will keep this short and sweet. Firstly, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of you who have supported my series of books this year.
Hopefully, by the summer of the New Year, book four will be on the shelves.
In the meantime, have a wonderful New Year with family and friends alike. Let’s hope this forthcoming year will herald a better year than this year, for those suffering around the world.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/5hejvday
Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes for the New Year
AR
December 21, 2024
'Fated'
Good Evening,
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you are all well, and enjoying this, the last weekend before Christmas.
My thoughts are with those of you who are travelling home at this time of year, wherever that may be in this world.
I watch the news on a daily basis, and here in the United Kingdom, it would seem that we are in for more bad weather. Flights will no doubt be delayed, and road conditions are undoubtedly most likely to worsen.
There are those who will, I am sure, face the rigors of inclement weather, before they arrive home with loved ones, safe and well. My thoughts are with you all.
My own journey home to see family, started on Friday. Vera2 and I fortunately had an uneventful journey back to West Sussex. This week marked a bittersweet farewell as I said goodbye to my dear friends in Hampshire.
There’s always a certain poignancy in goodbyes, especially at this time of year. They were softened by the anticipation of Christmas with my family in Sussex, and the knowledge that we will see one another again in the New Year.
It was this evening, my youngest son, now in his mid-thirties, and my grandson, joined me for a Christmas dinner in a local pub. We had a delightful meal, and the ambience was clearly warming as the staff, and patrons alike, were clearly in the festive spirit.
At the end of the evening, I asked the waitress who had attended our table, for the bill. It was then my son and I played the game of guess the lady’s accent. When she spoke to us during the evening, it was quite clear she did not come from Sussex.
Various options were offered up by myself and my son. I suggested she was from the Ukraine, whilst my son suggest Poland.
Finally, when the bill was presented, we popped the question. Neither of us were even close. Our waitress informed us that she was in fact from Slovakia.
As I left, one of those fated moments in life came to visit me. The waitress beamed a smile, and wished me a Happy Christmas. I wished her the same, and as I turned to leave, I hesitated, and I asked for her name.
The moment reminded me of Humphrey Bogart in the film Casablanca – “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
The ladies name was ‘Vera’.
On the note, I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the company of your family, and friends at this special time of year.
I have added some links below as usual, where I share a selection of photographs, and designs from the past week.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/8ap9ys2j
Link – https://tinyurl.com/56teedvp
Link – https://tinyurl.com/5xnj52ke
It’s now Saturday 20.55 pm GMT. I will sign off for now.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you are all well, and enjoying this, the last weekend before Christmas.
My thoughts are with those of you who are travelling home at this time of year, wherever that may be in this world.
I watch the news on a daily basis, and here in the United Kingdom, it would seem that we are in for more bad weather. Flights will no doubt be delayed, and road conditions are undoubtedly most likely to worsen.
There are those who will, I am sure, face the rigors of inclement weather, before they arrive home with loved ones, safe and well. My thoughts are with you all.
My own journey home to see family, started on Friday. Vera2 and I fortunately had an uneventful journey back to West Sussex. This week marked a bittersweet farewell as I said goodbye to my dear friends in Hampshire.
There’s always a certain poignancy in goodbyes, especially at this time of year. They were softened by the anticipation of Christmas with my family in Sussex, and the knowledge that we will see one another again in the New Year.
It was this evening, my youngest son, now in his mid-thirties, and my grandson, joined me for a Christmas dinner in a local pub. We had a delightful meal, and the ambience was clearly warming as the staff, and patrons alike, were clearly in the festive spirit.
At the end of the evening, I asked the waitress who had attended our table, for the bill. It was then my son and I played the game of guess the lady’s accent. When she spoke to us during the evening, it was quite clear she did not come from Sussex.
Various options were offered up by myself and my son. I suggested she was from the Ukraine, whilst my son suggest Poland.
Finally, when the bill was presented, we popped the question. Neither of us were even close. Our waitress informed us that she was in fact from Slovakia.
As I left, one of those fated moments in life came to visit me. The waitress beamed a smile, and wished me a Happy Christmas. I wished her the same, and as I turned to leave, I hesitated, and I asked for her name.
The moment reminded me of Humphrey Bogart in the film Casablanca – “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
The ladies name was ‘Vera’.
On the note, I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the company of your family, and friends at this special time of year.
I have added some links below as usual, where I share a selection of photographs, and designs from the past week.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/8ap9ys2j
Link – https://tinyurl.com/56teedvp
Link – https://tinyurl.com/5xnj52ke
It’s now Saturday 20.55 pm GMT. I will sign off for now.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes
AR
December 14, 2024
'Reflections'
Good Morning,
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you have all had a fabulous week as always.
The festive season is nearly upon us once again, and I have found myself reflecting on this past year, and our travels. To say they have been varied, would be something of an understatement.
This time last year, we made several trips to Cornwall, Gloucester, and various other locations in the West Country. Now, at the end of this year, I found myself in our forest sanctuary once more, where quiet mornings are often punctuated by delightful encounters with wildlife.
My little winged friend, the Robin, has made his daily appearances, a cheerful companion who seems to understand our routines better than I do.
His unwavering confidence, perched boldly on Vera2's steps, reminds me each day, of the simple joys in life, we so often overlook.
Much of this week has been spent writing. Book four of the Our Blue Orange series has been progressing steadily. I've spent some time weaving the narrative in the chapters, only to revisit them the next day.
I once read a statement written by a young female author. It has stayed with me for years now. She asked the question, ‘when is a manuscript ever completed?’
Those words resonate with me every day. As content as I was the night before, when I have closed down my laptop, the mornings review of last night’s work is always the same.
I add a line here, move a speech mark, another line of description, and so on. My ability to move forward, continually appears to be hindered by fresh ideas. This process I might add, has always been the same, and I imagine it is not unique.
Many authors out there, have exactly the same approach to their work, I am sure.
Anyway, Christmas approaches, the promise of family gatherings fills me with warmth as always. There's something magical about coming together during this time of year, sharing stories, laughter.
The simple pleasure of being in one another's company. It will be a welcomed pause before my U.S. adventure begins in the New Year.
By chance this week, I was invited to listen to an American radio show this week, airing for the first time in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was midnight here in the UK, and frankly my enthusiasm was wanning at that hour. It was then the idea planted itself in my cerebral cortex, that America is somewhat littered with radio stations.
So the idea germinated. Why not approach these wonderful facilities whilst travelling across the states?
With my powers of persuasion, perhaps I can lure a ten minute slot with the presenters, to discuss the world we live in, and the relentless march of AI within our society. Worth a try I hear you say!
I have added some links below as usual, where I share a selection of photographs, and designs from the past week.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/y4as2wnb
Link – https://tinyurl.com/bdfwv686
Link – https://tinyurl.com/33c822yp
It’s now Saturday 09.15 am GMT, Saturday morning. I will sign off for now, and wish you all a safe week ahead.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be.
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you have all had a fabulous week as always.
The festive season is nearly upon us once again, and I have found myself reflecting on this past year, and our travels. To say they have been varied, would be something of an understatement.
This time last year, we made several trips to Cornwall, Gloucester, and various other locations in the West Country. Now, at the end of this year, I found myself in our forest sanctuary once more, where quiet mornings are often punctuated by delightful encounters with wildlife.
My little winged friend, the Robin, has made his daily appearances, a cheerful companion who seems to understand our routines better than I do.
His unwavering confidence, perched boldly on Vera2's steps, reminds me each day, of the simple joys in life, we so often overlook.
Much of this week has been spent writing. Book four of the Our Blue Orange series has been progressing steadily. I've spent some time weaving the narrative in the chapters, only to revisit them the next day.
I once read a statement written by a young female author. It has stayed with me for years now. She asked the question, ‘when is a manuscript ever completed?’
Those words resonate with me every day. As content as I was the night before, when I have closed down my laptop, the mornings review of last night’s work is always the same.
I add a line here, move a speech mark, another line of description, and so on. My ability to move forward, continually appears to be hindered by fresh ideas. This process I might add, has always been the same, and I imagine it is not unique.
Many authors out there, have exactly the same approach to their work, I am sure.
Anyway, Christmas approaches, the promise of family gatherings fills me with warmth as always. There's something magical about coming together during this time of year, sharing stories, laughter.
The simple pleasure of being in one another's company. It will be a welcomed pause before my U.S. adventure begins in the New Year.
By chance this week, I was invited to listen to an American radio show this week, airing for the first time in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was midnight here in the UK, and frankly my enthusiasm was wanning at that hour. It was then the idea planted itself in my cerebral cortex, that America is somewhat littered with radio stations.
So the idea germinated. Why not approach these wonderful facilities whilst travelling across the states?
With my powers of persuasion, perhaps I can lure a ten minute slot with the presenters, to discuss the world we live in, and the relentless march of AI within our society. Worth a try I hear you say!
I have added some links below as usual, where I share a selection of photographs, and designs from the past week.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/y4as2wnb
Link – https://tinyurl.com/bdfwv686
Link – https://tinyurl.com/33c822yp
It’s now Saturday 09.15 am GMT, Saturday morning. I will sign off for now, and wish you all a safe week ahead.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be.
Best Wishes
AR
December 7, 2024
'Detours'
Good Afternoon,
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you are all well, and ensconced in another lovely relaxing weekend, somewhere in this amazing world of ours.
I wish I could say that my weekend has been relaxing so far, but unfortunately, it has been anything but.
There was a weather warning from the meteorological office for the weekend. The UK has been subjected to a severe storm front.
Friday evening was an interesting one in Vera2, to say the least. Even as sheltered as we are in our current location, I thought for a while I was back at sea in another force seven.
It has rained relentlessly to add to the fun of living, and writing on the road. But as Tim Allen said in ‘Galaxy Quest’ one of my favourite films of all time. ‘Never give up, never surrender.’ And of course, we will not.
Well, my report for the week starts last Friday evening actually. We went ‘west’ as Horace Greely said, and made it to Dorset, where we spent the weekend on our friends farm.
It was good to see them again, and ‘Rocky’ as well. He is such a wonderful shire horse, with such an amazing memory. It took him a matter of moments, when he realised we were back again.
I have attached a link to another photo of him of course.
The weather there was less than favourable as well, and most of the weekend was spent crafting more chapters of book four in the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series. Good progress was made.
In between the travelling, and other detours my life throws up on my path, I am hoping to publish it in the spring.
Talking of detours, I had a phone call from my good friend Gavin on the Saturday morning.
Ironically, my final delivery of lights for the camper had arrived at his place. To collect them, I had to return to Hampshire. And so Monday morning, we bid our friends, and Rocky goodbye, and headed back the way we came.
It was upon our return, I experienced another of those priceless moments, nature delivers to us as we parked up. My little winged friend, the cheeky Robin, came and sat on the top of my nearside front tyre.
He sat there as bold as brass, looking at us. Neither Gavin nor I could believe what we were we witnessing. By the time I pulled into our spot in the woods, he was already there expecting to be fed, which of course he was.
Naturally, falling into our daily routine of feeding him, commenced the next morning as usual.
It has made me reflect upon my previous life, and all that I have missed out on in this one. Moments like this, bonding with these beautiful creatures who are intelligent to say the least. Sometimes, more intelligent than we are I am afraid to say.
Well, the new lights in the kitchen, and the lounge were fitted, along with the USB ports we have needed for so long.
And by Wednesday evening, teacup in hand, I sat and complemented myself for what seemed a never ending re-fit in the forest.
I have added some links below as usual, where I share a selection of photographs from the past week. Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/mr2t29rb
Link – https://tinyurl.com/mrz6dp4k
Link – https://tinyurl.com/4t5x227k
It’s now Saturday 16.05 pm GMT, and the wind still howls around us like an angry demon, but the rain seems to have abated.
I will sign off for now, and wish you all a save week ahead.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you are all well, and ensconced in another lovely relaxing weekend, somewhere in this amazing world of ours.
I wish I could say that my weekend has been relaxing so far, but unfortunately, it has been anything but.
There was a weather warning from the meteorological office for the weekend. The UK has been subjected to a severe storm front.
Friday evening was an interesting one in Vera2, to say the least. Even as sheltered as we are in our current location, I thought for a while I was back at sea in another force seven.
It has rained relentlessly to add to the fun of living, and writing on the road. But as Tim Allen said in ‘Galaxy Quest’ one of my favourite films of all time. ‘Never give up, never surrender.’ And of course, we will not.
Well, my report for the week starts last Friday evening actually. We went ‘west’ as Horace Greely said, and made it to Dorset, where we spent the weekend on our friends farm.
It was good to see them again, and ‘Rocky’ as well. He is such a wonderful shire horse, with such an amazing memory. It took him a matter of moments, when he realised we were back again.
I have attached a link to another photo of him of course.
The weather there was less than favourable as well, and most of the weekend was spent crafting more chapters of book four in the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series. Good progress was made.
In between the travelling, and other detours my life throws up on my path, I am hoping to publish it in the spring.
Talking of detours, I had a phone call from my good friend Gavin on the Saturday morning.
Ironically, my final delivery of lights for the camper had arrived at his place. To collect them, I had to return to Hampshire. And so Monday morning, we bid our friends, and Rocky goodbye, and headed back the way we came.
It was upon our return, I experienced another of those priceless moments, nature delivers to us as we parked up. My little winged friend, the cheeky Robin, came and sat on the top of my nearside front tyre.
He sat there as bold as brass, looking at us. Neither Gavin nor I could believe what we were we witnessing. By the time I pulled into our spot in the woods, he was already there expecting to be fed, which of course he was.
Naturally, falling into our daily routine of feeding him, commenced the next morning as usual.
It has made me reflect upon my previous life, and all that I have missed out on in this one. Moments like this, bonding with these beautiful creatures who are intelligent to say the least. Sometimes, more intelligent than we are I am afraid to say.
Well, the new lights in the kitchen, and the lounge were fitted, along with the USB ports we have needed for so long.
And by Wednesday evening, teacup in hand, I sat and complemented myself for what seemed a never ending re-fit in the forest.
I have added some links below as usual, where I share a selection of photographs from the past week. Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/mr2t29rb
Link – https://tinyurl.com/mrz6dp4k
Link – https://tinyurl.com/4t5x227k
It’s now Saturday 16.05 pm GMT, and the wind still howls around us like an angry demon, but the rain seems to have abated.
I will sign off for now, and wish you all a save week ahead.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes
AR
November 28, 2024
'Go West'
Good Evening,
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you have all had a successful week wherever you happen to be in this world.
It’s Thursday evening here in the forest, and I am penning this article now as tomorrow we have a busy day.
It always centres around a Friday. Have you noticed? The end of the week, the beginning of the weekend, that break from our weekly routine. Long live Friday I say.
Friday will also mark our departure from the New Forest. All good things come to an end, so they say, and as soon as I have posted this article in the morning, Vera2 and I intend to go West.
An old saying as I understand it, attributed to the American author Horace Greely. ‘Go West young man’ was the phrase, although at my age, I can do the Go, I can definitely do the West, but hardly the young anymore.
Age though should never be a barrier to stop any of us from having dreams. It should never be a blocker to stop us from following them either.
As long as we have the blessing of reasonably good health, ‘Go West’ is an option for all of us to take if we so choose. Dreams are only dreams until you put them into reality, which reminds me of a fitting anecdote.
This week, I had the good fortune to meet another kinder spirit wandering through the woods with his dog. We stopped, and chatted for a while, exchanging stories and experiences of our lives on the road. Places we had both visited. Places on the bucket list, that were still yet to be experienced.
The gentleman left me with comment that rang out volumes, as I reflected upon my own life and the path I have trod. ‘I wish’, he said, ‘that I had done this twenty years ago.’
There are so many of us, myself included, who have made life choices we thought were the right ones to make at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing I am sure you will agree, But I also believe it haunts all of us from time to time if we were honest.
And so, while my article wings its way across this modern miracle of global connectivity, I will be following Horace Greely sound advice. Young or old, it makes no difference. Go west it is Horace.
Just one consideration has occurred to me, however. For past two weeks or so, I have had a daily rendezvous with a plucky little Robin, that drops in for breakfast each morning. He is indeed plucky and borderline cheeky.
His daily routine of wholemeal bread on the steps of Vera2, will unfortunately come to an end tomorrow. With the weather on the turn again, and temperatures dropping, I find myself just a little concerned for him. But he is a survivor, as we all are, and he will see the winter through I am sure.
I have added some links below, where I share a selection of photographs from the past week.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/35a5uxz5
Link - https://tinyurl.com/237j65m8
Link - https://tinyurl.com/53jxfdmm
It’s Thursday night here as I said earlier. It’s late, and time for bed, so I will sign off for now.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you have all had a successful week wherever you happen to be in this world.
It’s Thursday evening here in the forest, and I am penning this article now as tomorrow we have a busy day.
It always centres around a Friday. Have you noticed? The end of the week, the beginning of the weekend, that break from our weekly routine. Long live Friday I say.
Friday will also mark our departure from the New Forest. All good things come to an end, so they say, and as soon as I have posted this article in the morning, Vera2 and I intend to go West.
An old saying as I understand it, attributed to the American author Horace Greely. ‘Go West young man’ was the phrase, although at my age, I can do the Go, I can definitely do the West, but hardly the young anymore.
Age though should never be a barrier to stop any of us from having dreams. It should never be a blocker to stop us from following them either.
As long as we have the blessing of reasonably good health, ‘Go West’ is an option for all of us to take if we so choose. Dreams are only dreams until you put them into reality, which reminds me of a fitting anecdote.
This week, I had the good fortune to meet another kinder spirit wandering through the woods with his dog. We stopped, and chatted for a while, exchanging stories and experiences of our lives on the road. Places we had both visited. Places on the bucket list, that were still yet to be experienced.
The gentleman left me with comment that rang out volumes, as I reflected upon my own life and the path I have trod. ‘I wish’, he said, ‘that I had done this twenty years ago.’
There are so many of us, myself included, who have made life choices we thought were the right ones to make at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing I am sure you will agree, But I also believe it haunts all of us from time to time if we were honest.
And so, while my article wings its way across this modern miracle of global connectivity, I will be following Horace Greely sound advice. Young or old, it makes no difference. Go west it is Horace.
Just one consideration has occurred to me, however. For past two weeks or so, I have had a daily rendezvous with a plucky little Robin, that drops in for breakfast each morning. He is indeed plucky and borderline cheeky.
His daily routine of wholemeal bread on the steps of Vera2, will unfortunately come to an end tomorrow. With the weather on the turn again, and temperatures dropping, I find myself just a little concerned for him. But he is a survivor, as we all are, and he will see the winter through I am sure.
I have added some links below, where I share a selection of photographs from the past week.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/35a5uxz5
Link - https://tinyurl.com/237j65m8
Link - https://tinyurl.com/53jxfdmm
It’s Thursday night here as I said earlier. It’s late, and time for bed, so I will sign off for now.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be. 😊
Best Wishes
AR
November 21, 2024
'Winter in The Woods'
Good Morning,
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you have all had a great week wherever you happen to be in this world.
It’s of no surprise to me, that a fortnight has passed since my last article, documenting my travels. Time has elapsed as it always does, however it has been well spent I have to say.
We left late on the 11th, and drove through the night, arriving in the depths of the New Forest in Hampshire. It is without a doubt, one of my favourite haunts, where man and nature live in almost perfect harmony.
Prior to leaving, the weekend had been laced with an itinerary of ‘jobs to do’ on Vera2. It focused on a planned upgrade of the insulation throughout the motorhome.
For those of you who own such a vehicle, you may well have noticed the failing almost all manufactures build into them. They are here in the UK at least, designed primarily for the holiday market, and not for travellers like myself.
My needs are obviously very different, living on-board fulltime. Travelling and writing as I do, the anomalies frequently rear their somewhat unwanted heads. Drafts and cold cupboards for example, are all too common.
It was of no surprise the following morning, when I checked the Internet signal, I had none. This part of the world is normally a black hole, where 4 and 5G are nice to have have’s, but not here.
Clearly my path for the week ahead was already set.
The cupboards and lockers were emptied out, doors and cabinets stacked ready to re-install, and Vera2’s re-fit in the forest got underway.
As luck would have it, a good friend of mine was also in the vicinity, and his help has been invaluable progressing these works.
Very quickly we had a daily routine in place. It started each morning, not with saw’s and screw drivers, but walking the forest trails with his three beautiful Huskies.
Gavin has a pack of working dogs, which he regularly enters into competitions across the UK, and has done so for many years.
It brought back wonderful memories of my own Husky, who we had for many years, when I lived in Spain.
On Thursday, both Gavin and the dogs had the joy of this seasons first snow, though it was not quite enough to warrant setting up the sledge. However, the dogs were clearly excited by the change in the weather.
I have added links below, where I share photographs from the past week.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/ykhydc2j
Link - https://tinyurl.com/jxnzmux9
With the list of ‘jobs to do’ still in hand, I will sign off for now.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the past week.
‘Inara’ still leaves me spellbound at the statistics the Goodreads team post daily on my authors page.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing 😊
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you have all had a great week wherever you happen to be in this world.
It’s of no surprise to me, that a fortnight has passed since my last article, documenting my travels. Time has elapsed as it always does, however it has been well spent I have to say.
We left late on the 11th, and drove through the night, arriving in the depths of the New Forest in Hampshire. It is without a doubt, one of my favourite haunts, where man and nature live in almost perfect harmony.
Prior to leaving, the weekend had been laced with an itinerary of ‘jobs to do’ on Vera2. It focused on a planned upgrade of the insulation throughout the motorhome.
For those of you who own such a vehicle, you may well have noticed the failing almost all manufactures build into them. They are here in the UK at least, designed primarily for the holiday market, and not for travellers like myself.
My needs are obviously very different, living on-board fulltime. Travelling and writing as I do, the anomalies frequently rear their somewhat unwanted heads. Drafts and cold cupboards for example, are all too common.
It was of no surprise the following morning, when I checked the Internet signal, I had none. This part of the world is normally a black hole, where 4 and 5G are nice to have have’s, but not here.
Clearly my path for the week ahead was already set.
The cupboards and lockers were emptied out, doors and cabinets stacked ready to re-install, and Vera2’s re-fit in the forest got underway.
As luck would have it, a good friend of mine was also in the vicinity, and his help has been invaluable progressing these works.
Very quickly we had a daily routine in place. It started each morning, not with saw’s and screw drivers, but walking the forest trails with his three beautiful Huskies.
Gavin has a pack of working dogs, which he regularly enters into competitions across the UK, and has done so for many years.
It brought back wonderful memories of my own Husky, who we had for many years, when I lived in Spain.
On Thursday, both Gavin and the dogs had the joy of this seasons first snow, though it was not quite enough to warrant setting up the sledge. However, the dogs were clearly excited by the change in the weather.
I have added links below, where I share photographs from the past week.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/ykhydc2j
Link - https://tinyurl.com/jxnzmux9
With the list of ‘jobs to do’ still in hand, I will sign off for now.
May I offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the past week.
‘Inara’ still leaves me spellbound at the statistics the Goodreads team post daily on my authors page.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing 😊
Best Wishes
AR
November 8, 2024
'Travel Plans'
Good Evening,
Fellow Readers and Authors, it’s Friday evening again I’m afraid. I hope you have all had a great week wherever you happen to be in this world.
Well what an historical week this has been for all of you in America. We have all been poised on the edge of our seats over here in the British Isles, that’s for sure.
As a young man, my father’s imparted one of his life lessons to me. It is a lesson I have never forgotten, and one I have lived by ever since.
He told me never discuss religion, money or politics with anyone.
This being the case, I will move on to some other news, which also ironically involves your great nation.
Back to this current week, which has elapsed very quickly again, and an update on my travel plans, which have changed considerably.
Following up on my last article, there has been a change of plans regarding travelling to Asia.
To pre-empt my departure, I had to visit my doctors clinic, in the first instance. I needed my medical records, and in particular, my vaccination history.
And that is where the frustration set in.
Despite having been registered at my doctors surgery for two and a half decades, the wonderful NHS have managed to lose my entire medical history.
To compound this ridiculous, and unacceptable situation, the lady at the surgery informed me, I had however, had my influenza jabs.
Quiet a remarkable achievement I said, as I have never had those jabs, as I have never bought into them.
When we were children, we caught all of the normal bugs children do. We built up a natural immunity without manmade vaccines.
It seems nowadays, the population are becoming Orchids, cosseted and protected from some of the most natural health issues, we all catch each and every winter.
Having spoken to several people regarding this catastrophe regarding my medical records though, it appears I am not alone. They too have had the same regrettable experience.
Without my medical records therefore, I was unable to inform the travel clinic of any previous vaccinations.
This meant starting from a blank canvas, and undertaking a three week course of jabs, and boosters to enable travelling to Asia.
Unacceptable I said.
Not to be defeated, I set my sights on the United States as a wonderful alternative.
My ESTA application was completed without delay, and yesterday an email informed me it had been granted without issue.
Very shortly therefore, I will be ‘winterising’ Vera2, and winging my way to New York, for the start of my adventure.
Life without my motorhome, will seem strange though. We have been travelling together, Vera2 and I, for some eighteen months.
The daily routines, the road trips, and those wonderful mornings waking up to the dawn in some idyllic locations, will cease for a while.
My plans are to take a Greyhound or Flixbus, and tour your wonderful country, from one side to the other.
I have of course been to the US before, for work related visits. This time however, I will be able to follow my own itinerary, at my own pace, stopping off where I choose.
As I move forward to a start date, I will keep you informed of course.
In the meantime, there are three links below, where I share a selection of my designs and photographs from the past few weeks.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/54hcuakj
Link – https://tinyurl.com/yeynbh96
Link - https://tinyurl.com/55dm56wa
I will sign off for now, and offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
‘Inara’ has now overtaken both of my previous novels.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing 😊
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, it’s Friday evening again I’m afraid. I hope you have all had a great week wherever you happen to be in this world.
Well what an historical week this has been for all of you in America. We have all been poised on the edge of our seats over here in the British Isles, that’s for sure.
As a young man, my father’s imparted one of his life lessons to me. It is a lesson I have never forgotten, and one I have lived by ever since.
He told me never discuss religion, money or politics with anyone.
This being the case, I will move on to some other news, which also ironically involves your great nation.
Back to this current week, which has elapsed very quickly again, and an update on my travel plans, which have changed considerably.
Following up on my last article, there has been a change of plans regarding travelling to Asia.
To pre-empt my departure, I had to visit my doctors clinic, in the first instance. I needed my medical records, and in particular, my vaccination history.
And that is where the frustration set in.
Despite having been registered at my doctors surgery for two and a half decades, the wonderful NHS have managed to lose my entire medical history.
To compound this ridiculous, and unacceptable situation, the lady at the surgery informed me, I had however, had my influenza jabs.
Quiet a remarkable achievement I said, as I have never had those jabs, as I have never bought into them.
When we were children, we caught all of the normal bugs children do. We built up a natural immunity without manmade vaccines.
It seems nowadays, the population are becoming Orchids, cosseted and protected from some of the most natural health issues, we all catch each and every winter.
Having spoken to several people regarding this catastrophe regarding my medical records though, it appears I am not alone. They too have had the same regrettable experience.
Without my medical records therefore, I was unable to inform the travel clinic of any previous vaccinations.
This meant starting from a blank canvas, and undertaking a three week course of jabs, and boosters to enable travelling to Asia.
Unacceptable I said.
Not to be defeated, I set my sights on the United States as a wonderful alternative.
My ESTA application was completed without delay, and yesterday an email informed me it had been granted without issue.
Very shortly therefore, I will be ‘winterising’ Vera2, and winging my way to New York, for the start of my adventure.
Life without my motorhome, will seem strange though. We have been travelling together, Vera2 and I, for some eighteen months.
The daily routines, the road trips, and those wonderful mornings waking up to the dawn in some idyllic locations, will cease for a while.
My plans are to take a Greyhound or Flixbus, and tour your wonderful country, from one side to the other.
I have of course been to the US before, for work related visits. This time however, I will be able to follow my own itinerary, at my own pace, stopping off where I choose.
As I move forward to a start date, I will keep you informed of course.
In the meantime, there are three links below, where I share a selection of my designs and photographs from the past few weeks.
Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/54hcuakj
Link – https://tinyurl.com/yeynbh96
Link - https://tinyurl.com/55dm56wa
I will sign off for now, and offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
‘Inara’ has now overtaken both of my previous novels.
Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing 😊
Best Wishes
AR
November 1, 2024
'Statistics'
Good Evening,
Fellow Readers and Authors, it’s Friday evening again, and I hope you have all had a great week wherever you happen to be in this world.
What can I say that I haven’t already said before. I need to make myself a Time Machine, the likes of which our Godfrey has in my novels.
This week seems to have flown by like the week before, and the week before that. I am sure as you get older time speeds up.
Perhaps time is on an invisible slope, and it is gaining speed on me. Who knows.
Back in the world we live in, I had some amazing news today from BeBook Sharp, and my dear friend Kathy K.
It appears that ‘Inara’ (book three in the series) has surpassed itself in terms of ‘on the shelf to read’ statistics.
Taking into account that ‘Inara’ went live on the 24th of June this year, the novel seems to have gained some phenomenal traction.
With reviews stating ‘Inara’ is a standalone Science Fiction novel in its right, I am obviously elated at the books popularity.
My only concern, if there is one, is that readers won’t miss out on the whole story that precedes this book.
Before I continue though, I would like to thank all of you who are placing ‘Inara’, and indeed the other books in my series, on your bookshelves. Thank you.
As I have described to you in the past, my career brought me into contact with Artificial Intelligence in its infancy.
My fascination for it ultimately manifested itself in my first novel ‘Our Blue Orange’.
Since then the story has evolved, just as the development of AI here on Earth. With my finger on the pulse as always, I watch with interest as own history regarding AI unfolds, on what appears to be a daily basis.
The growth of AL, and it’s applications are frankly of no surprise to me. My concerns, however, are for the potential applications of a military nature. 'Clone Wars' comes to mind.
Before long, we will have the potential to witness androids capable of policing our streets. Maintaining law and order, the likes of which we witnessed in ‘Robocop’ the film I am sure you will al remember.
Science Fiction I hear you say. Dear reader, we are living it.
On a more cheerful note, I have made headway with my plans to visit Asia this winter.
After a lengthy consultation with my local Travel Clinic, it looks as if my right arm will shortly resemble my grandmothers pin cushion.
I questioned the number of vaccinations required based on protection against diseases I have never even heard of.
Perhaps I should just park ‘Vera2’ in a snow covered Scottish Glen this winter, and enjoy the scenery as I have in the past.
There are three links below, where I share a selection of my designs and photographs from the past few weeks. Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/ycy4yvnp
Link – https://tinyurl.com/254nf2xw
Link - https://tinyurl.com/493jwyvn
I will sign off for now, and offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing 😊
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, it’s Friday evening again, and I hope you have all had a great week wherever you happen to be in this world.
What can I say that I haven’t already said before. I need to make myself a Time Machine, the likes of which our Godfrey has in my novels.
This week seems to have flown by like the week before, and the week before that. I am sure as you get older time speeds up.
Perhaps time is on an invisible slope, and it is gaining speed on me. Who knows.
Back in the world we live in, I had some amazing news today from BeBook Sharp, and my dear friend Kathy K.
It appears that ‘Inara’ (book three in the series) has surpassed itself in terms of ‘on the shelf to read’ statistics.
Taking into account that ‘Inara’ went live on the 24th of June this year, the novel seems to have gained some phenomenal traction.
With reviews stating ‘Inara’ is a standalone Science Fiction novel in its right, I am obviously elated at the books popularity.
My only concern, if there is one, is that readers won’t miss out on the whole story that precedes this book.
Before I continue though, I would like to thank all of you who are placing ‘Inara’, and indeed the other books in my series, on your bookshelves. Thank you.
As I have described to you in the past, my career brought me into contact with Artificial Intelligence in its infancy.
My fascination for it ultimately manifested itself in my first novel ‘Our Blue Orange’.
Since then the story has evolved, just as the development of AI here on Earth. With my finger on the pulse as always, I watch with interest as own history regarding AI unfolds, on what appears to be a daily basis.
The growth of AL, and it’s applications are frankly of no surprise to me. My concerns, however, are for the potential applications of a military nature. 'Clone Wars' comes to mind.
Before long, we will have the potential to witness androids capable of policing our streets. Maintaining law and order, the likes of which we witnessed in ‘Robocop’ the film I am sure you will al remember.
Science Fiction I hear you say. Dear reader, we are living it.
On a more cheerful note, I have made headway with my plans to visit Asia this winter.
After a lengthy consultation with my local Travel Clinic, it looks as if my right arm will shortly resemble my grandmothers pin cushion.
I questioned the number of vaccinations required based on protection against diseases I have never even heard of.
Perhaps I should just park ‘Vera2’ in a snow covered Scottish Glen this winter, and enjoy the scenery as I have in the past.
There are three links below, where I share a selection of my designs and photographs from the past few weeks. Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/ycy4yvnp
Link – https://tinyurl.com/254nf2xw
Link - https://tinyurl.com/493jwyvn
I will sign off for now, and offer our sincere thanks once again, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing 😊
Best Wishes
AR
October 25, 2024
'Chance'
Good Evening,
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you have all had a great week wherever you happen to be in this world.
This week has been something of a mixed bag again, darting off here and there, and frankly achieving little in the process. Or so it would seem.
There has been traction with book four in the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series, with the plot thickening as they say, and I have made progress.
My digital designs are filtering off the press, and the audience on that front has increased considerably, especially on the Facebook page for my novels and artwork.
This week, my good friend Ben Harvey reported in from Somerset, informing me that he and the family are hard at work as always, harvesting the apples for the next batch of Cider.
Somerset is renowned for it’s Cider, and there are truly more types of Cider than you can throw a stick at.
It is an industry that dates back to before the history books were started, and it continues on to this day unabated.
If only I had known, I would have gladly gone and helped my friends bring home the harvest. Never mind though, those Cider apples have a habit of growing back every year, and the cycle will repeat itself I guarantee.
This morning I received a text message from an old friend, whom I have not heard from for some time now.
The message was brief, and to the point. ‘Good morning neighbour.’
It took a moment or two for the statement to register, then looking out of Vera2’s front door, I saw my friend parked some 20 metres behind us.
We of course embarked on a lengthy conversation, and shared our news with one another. He too, travels all over the UK, and has done so now for some twenty two years.
Afterwards, I had to laugh to myself. It was the perfect example of that phenomenon I mention in my novels - the occurrence of events in the absence of any obvious intention or cause.
Our old friend chance.
It made me loiter for some while afterwards considering this intangible thing that effects everything in our lives, and those of my characters. It had today come to remind me of its existence once more.
The weather here has been a mixture of rain, and sunshine, sometimes almost simultaneously, and it has been really rather enervating.
Perhaps that’s the problem. That autumn winter syndrome people complain of that brings ones spirit down to a low level.
For my part, if it is effecting my productivity, I think I need to adopt a contingency sooner rather than later. Winter sun has to be the answer.
Many years ago I was thwarted in an attempt to visit Cambodia, and Vietnam. These days they are more receptive to tourism, and the prospect of winter away from the UK is extremely luring.
It has been an idea that is now swiftly gathering pace, with a list of items that need addressing such as travel insurance, and vaccinations.
There will be updates of course over the next few weeks, but my hardest decision will of course be departing from my beloved home on wheels.
Vera2 has been my shelter, and my transportation now for sixteen months.
With a safe secure storage facility available, and the offer of weekly onceovers from my son, I know the old girl will be in good hands.
I will of course note the mileage when I leave, just in case he has a desire to trot off somewhere in my absence.
There are three links below where I share a selection of photographs from the past few weeks. Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/ezm9t2sa
Link – https://tinyurl.com/2cbd2v6n
Link - https://tinyurl.com/mr3acfst
Link - https://tinyurl.com/43zjfvft
I will sign off for now, and offer our sincere thanks as always, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing 😊
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors, I hope you have all had a great week wherever you happen to be in this world.
This week has been something of a mixed bag again, darting off here and there, and frankly achieving little in the process. Or so it would seem.
There has been traction with book four in the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series, with the plot thickening as they say, and I have made progress.
My digital designs are filtering off the press, and the audience on that front has increased considerably, especially on the Facebook page for my novels and artwork.
This week, my good friend Ben Harvey reported in from Somerset, informing me that he and the family are hard at work as always, harvesting the apples for the next batch of Cider.
Somerset is renowned for it’s Cider, and there are truly more types of Cider than you can throw a stick at.
It is an industry that dates back to before the history books were started, and it continues on to this day unabated.
If only I had known, I would have gladly gone and helped my friends bring home the harvest. Never mind though, those Cider apples have a habit of growing back every year, and the cycle will repeat itself I guarantee.
This morning I received a text message from an old friend, whom I have not heard from for some time now.
The message was brief, and to the point. ‘Good morning neighbour.’
It took a moment or two for the statement to register, then looking out of Vera2’s front door, I saw my friend parked some 20 metres behind us.
We of course embarked on a lengthy conversation, and shared our news with one another. He too, travels all over the UK, and has done so now for some twenty two years.
Afterwards, I had to laugh to myself. It was the perfect example of that phenomenon I mention in my novels - the occurrence of events in the absence of any obvious intention or cause.
Our old friend chance.
It made me loiter for some while afterwards considering this intangible thing that effects everything in our lives, and those of my characters. It had today come to remind me of its existence once more.
The weather here has been a mixture of rain, and sunshine, sometimes almost simultaneously, and it has been really rather enervating.
Perhaps that’s the problem. That autumn winter syndrome people complain of that brings ones spirit down to a low level.
For my part, if it is effecting my productivity, I think I need to adopt a contingency sooner rather than later. Winter sun has to be the answer.
Many years ago I was thwarted in an attempt to visit Cambodia, and Vietnam. These days they are more receptive to tourism, and the prospect of winter away from the UK is extremely luring.
It has been an idea that is now swiftly gathering pace, with a list of items that need addressing such as travel insurance, and vaccinations.
There will be updates of course over the next few weeks, but my hardest decision will of course be departing from my beloved home on wheels.
Vera2 has been my shelter, and my transportation now for sixteen months.
With a safe secure storage facility available, and the offer of weekly onceovers from my son, I know the old girl will be in good hands.
I will of course note the mileage when I leave, just in case he has a desire to trot off somewhere in my absence.
There are three links below where I share a selection of photographs from the past few weeks. Please take a look.
Link – https://tinyurl.com/ezm9t2sa
Link – https://tinyurl.com/2cbd2v6n
Link - https://tinyurl.com/mr3acfst
Link - https://tinyurl.com/43zjfvft
I will sign off for now, and offer our sincere thanks as always, to those of you adding one of the ‘Our Blue Orange’ series to your bookshelves over the week.
Thank you, it is much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend ahead. Stay safe, and keep reading and writing 😊
Best Wishes
AR
