C.L. Peache's Blog, page 25

Editing and writing…

Sunday 19th November – Day 120

I spent the morning getting the rest of the videos sorted and uploaded and made the Chatsworth vlog live so that created some storage space on my phone. I also added a little bit more to my thriller so making steady but slow process ((You’re telling me!)) there is still something missing. I keep making progress with it but there is something just not sitting right with the plot. I don’t feel like the reader will get the full satisfaction from how it unfolds at the moment, there needs to be another element, another level of what if, more questions, I don’t know what yet, but I know there is something missing! I’ve written 13 books but there is always something to learn, whether that is feedback from readers, editors, reading other books or just things I wish I’d done better. What experience tells me is that I will find ‘that thing’ or the characters will show me the way. In times gone by I would get frustrated but that’s one of the benefits of doing this for a few years I know it will come.

In between the showers we went to explore the local area which led us to walk along the river Trent and that led us to looking at the source of the river Trent which we hope to film one day or share in our canal book next year. Our journey on the boat has been linked to the River Trent for the whole of journey, by living on it in the marina and travelling along and by it.

We treat ourselves to a wonderful sweet potato and feta pie and a full Sunday veggie dinner before settling down to watch MotoGP.

I cannot believe yet another week has gone by. We will soon be living back in a marina for winter which will mean we can crack on with a lot of boat jobs we want to get done which are easier when in a marina with electric. It also means I can use my coffee machine more often! ((I cannot believe he said that you needed to get rid of it!)) I know, that is never going to happen.

Next week we hope to cruise to near Stoke on Trent and then make the return trip to Great Haywood and the marina. This will be end of cruising on new canals until next year and then we will need to look at where we go next year. It’s really exciting to think we will be exploring new areas in the country. We cannot wait to share it all with you and in late 2024 we will publish a book on our travels! Words:  629    Total: 21,835

Until next week. xx

Visiting Stone

Saturday 18th November – Day 119

We decide to have a mooch around Stone which is a really lovely market town. It reminds of a few different places, like Southwell, Newark, Penkridge and more… some places you just get a certain vibe from and this clearly has a lot of history which we will make sure we add when we publish the canal book next year.

We treat ourselves to a coffee at a place called Bear which is lovely ((Don’t forget to tell everyone about the banana bread you had!)) Grass! We did share and obviously needed a comparison to the banana bread I made. We manage to find a proper bargain in the charity shop and find a little beanbag which will be great just to sit in front of the fire and it was only £1 – love charity shops.

Then it’s back to the boat as I have loads to catch up on so I crack on checking, editing and uploading videos and uploading my blog for tomorrow and next week. Then it’s a few boat jobs; cleaning out the fire flue, faffing with the aerial as we’ve bought a new shelf which will make it so much easier as at the moment we have to move the cupboard to remove the toilet cassettes out and it’s such a nuisance when the wi-fi wires etc get caught. For anyone watching YouTube you will have seen we moved it about and now we just need to secure it all in place.

We are going to stay put tomorrow and visit the Christmas markets and I have my eye on a Christmas tree in M&S which is a two-minute walk from the boat. ((I knew that was why you were clearing that area!)) so easy to bring back to the boat and it will fit very nicely on top of the cupboard or it might go next to the TV we will have to see but that is very exciting!

Tomorrow I really must crack on with my novel. I’m really pleased though because on the train back from Newark I used the 2.5 hours to do a little bit of writing but mainly it was getting all the plot sorted and in the right order and now I think I have all the characters motives and plans in place so I can go back to the start and really bulk out the book and add more mystery to their motives. I would really like to aim to add possibly 5k tomorrow! I think the most I’ve written in one day is 7k so it’s a tall order with editing as well. We will see!

Words:  1,592    Total: 21,206

Cruising day! It’s a busy day!

Friday 17th November Day 118 ((this is along post you mind need a Baileys hot chocolate and a biscuit!))

Cruising Day! It feels like a life time ago we were cruising and it’s great to finally set off and today we will be on virgin water! ((Well, technically not as the canal water…)) okay, no need to be pedantic about it! We are minutes away from the boat services so make use of that and I put a wash on to make use of the engine being on generating electric.

We plan on cruising to Stone or somewhere near today. First up to Hoo Mill Lock and I feel a bit rusty with doing the vlogs but fab to get back into doing the locks. The next lock we come to is Weston Lock. This is past where we moored last time, we were up this way and is a new stretch of this canal for us. It’s where we walked past Heidi – The Pirate Boat/Youtuber when we walked up here and got chatting to a lady at the lock who used to work in a newsagents in Derby which Chris remembers going in as a kid. These are all lovely locks to do. Just as I shut the lock gate, I see another boat coming so open it for them to cruise straight in.

Wait a minute – breaking news. I’m sitting at the dinette typing today’s blog up. The aim was to get to Stone ((spoiler alert – they did!)) as Chris had told me the Christmas light switch on was tonight and it turns out its next Thursday! ((WTH! Peachy, I bet you’re about to kick off!)) I am! I was promised a Christmas light switch on. Turns out it is next Thursday so we will probably aim to hang around here for a few days as the weather looks a bit dodgy and then cruise for a few days, turn around and come back here for Thursday. I normally put my Christmas decorations up on the 1st of December but the rules change if there is a Christmas light switch on nearby ((You’ve just made that up!)) I know, if anyone else wants to adopt this rule then you have my permission. Wait… more breaking news… Chris has checked and there is a Christmas market on Sunday in Stone! Hurrah Christmas has been saved!

Right, back to cruising… We moor up for lunch near Weston on Trent. It’s a welcome curry parsnip soup which Chris made the other day. It’s cold but the sun is warm on the back and as there are a few locks dotted on the route it keeps the old body warm.

Pit stop done we crank it through some beautiful countryside. This stretch is full of fields and cattle and we are treated to some kingfishers swooping over the water and fields. I did manage to get a bit of footage which I will put on YouTube but it won’t be out for about a month. Next up is Sandon Lock which is quite deep at 9ft 11in and we have a little friend on the lock which we think was a Muscovy duck and we decide to get the tub of seed out and it’s very grateful for the lunch. It has beautiful colours, very much like a peacock.

Lock done we carry on cruising through the Trent valley and it reminds us of being on the River Trent as it’s quite wide in places and the fields come right to the edge of the canal. It really is a lovely stretch and I can see why so many people recommend this canal for winter cruising.

We pass a lovely looking marina, Aston marina which offers the usual boat facilities and then we spot a boat going into Aston lock as we pull onto the lock landing. I grab my windlass and wander up for the standard natter of where are you going? Lovely cruising day and then about liveaboard etc and one lady said to me “You’re too young to be retired,” ((Are you sure she said that?)) Yes! Anyway, we got chatting about me working from the boat ((Nearly choked then, working…)) and being an author, that always still seems weird to say but also told her about my YouTube channel so hopefully she will follow our adventures. We are doing so well with the channel, we are getting anything from 3-10 new subscribers a day which is amazing. Natter done, as they leave another boat comes along and they pop along to help and have a lovely chat with them. They have a beautiful boat, it’s new but with a 1937 engine I think he said. He recognised The Plot! Woohoo, canal famous lol. I think he said it was from one of the canal Facebook pages where I’d posted pictures of the plot and shared the vlog. Lovely couple and he took a picture of our boat before we left the lock.

The couple also said that the Stone moorings were full. ((Well, we’ve already had that spoiler because of your Christmas light tantrum!)) so if we cannot get one ((we know you do!)) then it will be the Stone flight and another 4 locks to do before we can moor up and it’s already 3pm and it goes dark at 4.30ish! ((Look, give it up Peachy, we know you made it so stop trying make it sound all dramatic!)) we cruise past about 6 boat and find a mooring ((Oh wow! Who knew! I am SOOOOOOOO relieved. I was really worried you wouldn’t make it.)) Okay, enough of the sarcasm.

Whilst Chris puts up the cratch covers I head inside and get the fire going as it’s cold inside. Job done I’m at the dinette ((You’ve already said that!)) but my battery is about to go so I will see you tomorrow! I really need to crack on over the next few days as I have about 30 videos to check and edit and I am really behind with my NaNoWriMo wordcount! ((well, you will go away for days socialising with your pretend friends!))

Miles:    9 (wow, think it’s our third longest cruise!)      locks: 4
Wordcount: 1,181 Total:  19,614

Time to go home :(

Thursday 16th November – Day 117

I pop into Tree; a café and amazing zen space in Newark where I used to love visiting, especially for the massages, infra-red sauna and amazing food. I manage to sneak in before opening time so I can catch up with my friend who runs it before it gets busy. We put the world to rights before I head to the station for my return journey.

A meet a friend ((Give it up now. You just don’t have this many friends. It’s just not possible!)) from writing group so it makes the journey go quicker to Nottingham where she gets off ((I bet she was going further but just had to get away!)) Then I’m left alone and finally manage to sort some plot holes to make the story stronger. This story is taking some sorting out but hopefully it will be worth it in the end!

Wordcount: 243 Total:  18,433 ((243! Only 1,400 less than you should have written. Less chatting more writing peachy!))

Support local…

Today is my biggest socialising day. I manage 6 different venues and catch up with 18 people by the end of the day! ((WOW! Newark should be paying you the amount you support local businesses!)) I know, right! I know a lot of people moan about Newark, especially online but Newark is such a thriving town despite the fact some shops are closing. There are also new pubs, restaurant and cafes opening. Yes, the high street is changing but that’s life. Things rarely stay the same. I think Newark is very lucky to have so many independent shops as well as high street names. I’ve been very lucky over the years to get to know so many of the people who run these independent shops and they are so welcoming it is lovely to come back.

After visiting, Letsxcape café, Gallery 6, Gannets and the Palace Theatre café I wander back to the flat to get some writing done. I only have an hour but I want to get a little bit done. My friend comes back from work so we have a natter before getting our heads down and both working at her breakfast bar. In Gannets I chatted to my friend and fabulous artist Christine Goldschmidt. She created the wonderful artwork on my New Zealand book and I’m hoping I can persuade her to create the cover for our canal book.

 ((Back to write for an hour, Oh my heart bleeds for you. I mean how do you cope!)) well I am working now in-between waiting to go to my next 2 social occasions so you know! ((I know what? Nothing! You’re only doing it because you know you will forget what you did. It not through any kind of strict work ethic!)) Hey, you praised me the other day for my work ethic! ((Well, I was obviously being sarcastic at the time or my circuits must have needed a reboot!))

It’s back out again to one of my fav pubs in Newark, The Prince Rupert to meet current and ex work mates. I love this pub, so much I even set one of my novella’s here. A night lost to the past, this started as short story which I entered into the Fosseway Writers group competition, it got placed 3rd which then resulted in me joining the group who I’m meeting after this catch up. This story then got changed into a longer version via my blog and now it’s available on my publishers App as episodes! ((Wow, it almost has a story of its own!)) I know, amazing the journey a story can take.

Wonderful catch up done it’s off to writing group back at Letsxcape café to see everyone. It’s really inspiring chatting with everyone as we chat about projects and plans for 2024. I used to organise all the events for the group but with me leaving I thought it was better I just help out as needed, rather than being responsible ((Good job as you rarely know what day it is!))

I make it back to the flat about 10pm after leaving at 9.30am so I’m well and truly shattered but very happy to have to chatted to so many wonderful friends.

Wordcount: 848 Total:  18,190

CHATSWORTH! CHRISTMAS!

Tuesday 14th November Day 115

CHATSWORTH! This was the annual visit with my friend. Such an amazing day. It’s always so inspiring. Anyone who knows me, knows I love Christmas and during covid I actually left my tree up until mid February because I thought, why not, it makes me happy and we cannot go anywhere! This year they had the advent theme in the house and it was wonderful. So much thought had gone into the display. My friend and I even came up with an idea for a romance novel based at Chatswoth ((OH, here we go! I think you’re taking this ‘choose a location for a book because you just want to visit it more often’ is going a bit too far!)) certainly not Brackets! What better location for a romance novel, we just need a Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett and we are good to go.

Anyway, it was a fab day and as a result I had a wordcount of zero again! Do not say anything Brackets! But I have made progress with ironing out some more key point and plots for the book so I’m looking forward to getting those few final characters arcs in place and then catching up with my wordcount when I’I get the chance. 

Words:  0     Total: 17,342 (( You’re only 5,982 words behind so maybe start panicking a little bit!))
Here is the link to the Chatsworth YouTube video…https://youtu.be/Y7z0qsRIViU?si=N6l7DkVTTmuKMezF

Socialising and trying to fit in writing time!

Monday 13th November – Day 114

Today I popped into my old workplace as they have a salon where the students learn how to cut/colour hair etc and it was nice to sit and chat to some of the nicer students I knew. Anyone who has read this blog for a while will know I didn’t leave this workplace on the best of terms but the less said about the better. There were a few reasons for leaving but one was that I’d had enough of the vast majority of the students as they were pretty vile to be quite honest and the worst I’ve ever worked with in the thirty years I’ve been working in education and I know I’m not the only one to feel like that. There was some good ones but they were in the minority. ((ok, I’ve crossed it out so you don’t have to read Peachy’s ranting!))

It was nice having my hair dyed and cut ((You looks hours, if not days younger!)) You are so rude! Then it was straight to the pub for a board meeting with a couple of the board members where we caught up on gossip but also plans for Newark Book festival for 2024, funding and sponsorship. If anyone wants to sponsor then festival then please do get in touch – it really is a fabulous festival but as with all non-profit events, we rely on funding and sponsors.

After this is back to my friend’s flat who has very kindly let me stay with her whilst I’m in Newark. As she’s still hard at work I crack on and get some writing done. When she gets home, we decide to start watching the series The Fall as I’ve read they are making a fourth season!

Until tomorrow… x

Wordcount: 1,811 Total: 17,342

Narrowboat adventures… Day 114 – 120 Mon 13th Nov to Sun 19th Nov

Monday 13th November – Day 114

Today I popped into my old workplace as they have a salon where the students learn how to cut/colour hair etc and it was nice to sit and chat to some of the nicer students I knew. Anyone who has read this blog for a while will know I didn’t leave this workplace on the best of terms but the less said about the better. There were a few reasons for leaving but one was that I’d had enough of the vast majority of the students as they were pretty vile to be quite honest and the worst I’ve ever worked with in the thirty years I’ve been working in education and I know I’m not the only one to feel like that. There was some good ones but they were in the minority. ((ok, I’ve crossed it out so you don’t have to read Peachy’s ranting!))

It was nice having my hair dyed and cut ((You looks hours, if not days younger!)) You are so rude! Then it was straight to the pub for a board meeting with a couple of the board members where we caught up on gossip but also plans for Newark Book festival for 2024, funding and sponsorship. If anyone wants to sponsor then festival then please do get in touch – it really is a fabulous festival but as with all non-profit events, we rely on funding and sponsors.

After this is back to my friend’s flat who has very kindly let me stay with her whilst I’m in Newark. As she’s still hard at work I crack on and get some writing done. When she gets home, we decide to start watching the series The Fall as I’ve read they are making a fourth season!

Until tomorrow… x

Wordcount: 1,811 Total: 17,342

Tuesday 14th November Day 115

CHATSWORTH! This was the annual visit with my friend. Such an amazing day. It’s always so inspiring. Anyone who knows me, knows I love Christmas and during covid I actually left my tree up until mid February because I thought, why not, it makes me happy and we cannot go anywhere! This year they had the advent theme in the house and it was wonderful. So much thought had gone into the display. My friend and I even came up with an idea for a romance novel based at Chatswoth ((OH, here we go! I think you’re taking this ‘choose a location for a book because you just want to visit it more often’ is going a bit too far!)) certainly not Brackets! What better location for a romance novel, we just need a Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett and we are good to go.

Anyway, it was a fab day and as a result I had a wordcount of zero again! Do not say anything Brackets! But I have made progress with ironing out some more key point and plots for the book so I’m looking forward to getting those few final characters arcs in place and then catching up with my wordcount when I’I get the chance. 

Words:  0     Total: 17,342 (( You’re only 5,982 words behind so maybe start panicking a little bit!))
Here is the link to the Chatsworth YouTube video…https://youtu.be/Y7z0qsRIViU?si=N6l7DkVTTmuKMezF

Wednesday 15th November Day 116

Today is my biggest socialising day. I manage 6 different venues and catch up with 18 people by the end of the day! ((WOW! Newark should be paying you the amount you support local businesses!)) I know, right! I know a lot of people moan about Newark, especially online but Newark is such a thriving town despite the fact some shops are closing. There are also new pubs, restaurant and cafes opening. Yes, the high street is changing but that’s life. Things rarely stay the same. I think Newark is very lucky to have so many independent shops as well as high street names. I’ve been very lucky over the years to get to know so many of the people who run these independent shops and they are so welcoming it is lovely to come back.

After visiting, Letsxcape café, Gallery 6, Gannets and the Palace Theatre café I wander back to the flat to get some writing done. I only have an hour but I want to get a little bit done. My friend comes back from work so we have a natter before getting our heads down and both working at her breakfast bar. In Gannets I chatted to my friend and fabulous artist Christine Goldschmidt. She created the wonderful artwork on my New Zealand book and I’m hoping I can persuade her to create the cover for our canal book.

 ((Back to write for an hour, Oh my heart bleeds for you. I mean how do you cope!)) well I am working now in-between waiting to go to my next 2 social occasions so you know! ((I know what? Nothing! You’re only doing it because you know you will forget what you did. It not through any kind of strict work ethic!)) Hey, you praised me the other day for my work ethic! ((Well, I was obviously being sarcastic at the time or my circuits must have needed a reboot!))

It’s back out again to one of my fav pubs in Newark, The Prince Rupert to meet current and ex work mates. I love this pub, so much I even set one of my novella’s here. A night lost to the past, this started as short story which I entered into the Fosseway Writers group competition, it got placed 3rd which then resulted in me joining the group who I’m meeting after this catch up. This story then got changed into a longer version via my blog and now it’s available on my publishers App as episodes! ((Wow, it almost has a story of its own!)) I know, amazing the journey a story can take.

Wonderful catch up done it’s off to writing group back at Letsxcape café to see everyone. It’s really inspiring chatting with everyone as we chat about projects and plans for 2024. I used to organise all the events for the group but with me leaving I thought it was better I just help out as needed, rather than being responsible ((Good job as you rarely know what day it is!))

I make it back to the flat about 10pm after leaving at 9.30am so I’m well and truly shattered but very happy to have to chatted to so many wonderful friends.

Wordcount: 848 Total:  18,190

Thursday 16th November – Day 117

I pop into Tree; a café and amazing zen space in Newark where I used to love visiting, especially for the massages, infra-red sauna and amazing food. I manage to sneak in before opening time so I can catch up with my friend who runs it before it gets busy. We put the world to rights before I head to the station for my return journey.

A meet a friend ((Give it up now. You just don’t have this many friends. It’s just not possible!)) from writing group so it makes the journey go quicker to Nottingham where she gets off ((I bet she was going further but just had to get away!)) Then I’m left alone and finally manage to sort some plot holes to make the story stronger. This story is taking some sorting out but hopefully it will be worth it in the end!

Wordcount: 243 Total:  18,433 ((243! Only 1,400 less than you should have written. Less chatting more writing peachy!))

Friday 17th November Day 118

Cruising Day! It feels like a life time ago we were cruising and it’s great to finally set off and today we will be on virgin water! ((Well, technically not as the canal water…)) okay, no need to be pedantic about it! We are minutes away from the boat services so make use of that and I put a wash on to make use of the engine being on generating electric.

We plan on cruising to Stone or somewhere near today. First up to Hoo Mill Lock and I feel a bit rusty with doing the vlogs but fab to get back into doing the locks. The next lock we come to is Weston Lock. This is past where we moored last time, we were up this way and is a new stretch of this canal for us. It’s where we walked past Heidi – The Pirate Boat/Youtuber when we walked up here and got chatting to a lady at the lock who used to work in a newsagents in Derby which Chris remembers going in as a kid. These are all lovely locks to do. Just as I shut the lock gate, I see another boat coming so open it for them to cruise straight in.

Wait a minute – breaking news. I’m sitting at the dinette typing today’s blog up. The aim was to get to Stone ((spoiler alert – they did!)) as Chris had told me the Christmas light switch on was tonight and it turns out its next Thursday! ((WTH! Peachy, I bet you’re about to kick off!)) I am! I was promised a Christmas light switch on. Turns out it is next Thursday so we will probably aim to hang around here for a few days as the weather looks a bit dodgy and then cruise for a few days, turn around and come back here for Thursday. I normally put my Christmas decorations up on the 1st of December but the rules change if there is a Christmas light switch on nearby ((You’ve just made that up!)) I know, if anyone else wants to adopt this rule then you have my permission. Wait… more breaking news… Chris has checked and there is a Christmas market on Sunday in Stone! Hurrah Christmas has been saved!

Right, back to cruising… We moor up for lunch near Weston on Trent. It’s a welcome curry parsnip soup which Chris made the other day. It’s cold but the sun is warm on the back and as there are a few locks dotted on the route it keeps the old body warm.

Pit stop done we crank it through some beautiful countryside. This stretch is full of fields and cattle and we are treated to some kingfishers swooping over the water and fields. I did manage to get a bit of footage which I will put on YouTube but it won’t be out for about a month. Next up is Sandon Lock which is quite deep at 9ft 11in and we have a little friend on the lock which we think was a Muscovy duck and we decide to get the tub of seed out and it’s very grateful for the lunch. It has beautiful colours, very much like a peacock.

Lock done we carry on cruising through the Trent valley and it reminds us of being on the River Trent as it’s quite wide in places and the fields come right to the edge of the canal. It really is a lovely stretch and I can see why so many people recommend this canal for winter cruising.

We pass a lovely looking marina, Aston marina which offers the usual boat facilities and then we spot a boat going into Aston lock as we pull onto the lock landing. I grab my windlass and wander up for the standard natter of where are you going? Lovely cruising day and then about liveaboard etc and one lady said to me “You’re too young to be retired,” ((Are you sure she said that?)) Yes! Anyway, we got chatting about me working from the boat ((Nearly choked then, working…)) and being an author, that always still seems weird to say but also told her about my YouTube channel so hopefully she will follow our adventures. We are doing so well with the channel, we are getting anything from 3-10 new subscribers a day which is amazing. Natter done, as they leave another boat comes along and they pop along to help and have a lovely chat with them. They have a beautiful boat, it’s new but with a 1937 engine I think he said. He recognised The Plot! Woohoo, canal famous lol. I think he said it was from one of the canal Facebook pages where I’d posted pictures of the plot and shared the vlog. Lovely couple and he took a picture of our boat before we left the lock.

The couple also said that the Stone moorings were full. ((Well, we’ve already had that spoiler because of your Christmas light tantrum!)) so if we cannot get one ((we know you do!)) then it will be the Stone flight and another 4 locks to do before we can moor up and it’s already 3pm and it goes dark at 4.30ish! ((Look, give it up Peachy, we know you made it so stop trying make it sound all dramatic!)) we cruise past about 6 boat and find a mooring ((Oh wow! Who knew! I am SOOOOOOOO relieved. I was really worried you wouldn’t make it.)) Okay, enough of the sarcasm.

Whilst Chris puts up the cratch covers I head inside and get the fire going as it’s cold inside. Job done I’m at the dinette ((You’ve already said that!)) but my battery is about to go so I will see you tomorrow! I really need to crack on over the next few days as I have about 30 videos to check and edit and I am really behind with my NaNoWriMo wordcount! ((well, you will go away for days socialising with your pretend friends!))

Miles:    9 (wow, think it’s our third longest cruise!)      locks: 4
Wordcount: 1,181 Total:  19,614

Saturday 18th November – Day 119

We decide to have a mooch around Stone which is a really lovely market town. It reminds of a few different places, like Southwell, Newark, Penkridge and more… some places you just get a certain vibe from and this clearly has a lot of history which we will make sure we add when we publish the canal book next year.

We treat ourselves to a coffee at a place called Bear which is lovely ((Don’t forget to tell everyone about the banana bread you had!)) Grass! We did share and obviously needed a comparison to the banana bread I made. We manage to find a proper bargain in the charity shop and find a little beanbag which will be great just to sit in front of the fire and it was only £1 – love charity shops.

Then it’s back to the boat as I have loads to catch up on so I crack on checking, editing and uploading videos and uploading my blog for tomorrow and next week. Then it’s a few boat jobs; cleaning out the fire flue, faffing with the aerial as we’ve bought a new shelf which will make it so much easier as at the moment we have to move the cupboard to remove the toilet cassettes out and it’s such a nuisance when the wi-fi wires etc get caught. For anyone watching YouTube you will have seen we moved it about and now we just need to secure it all in place.

We are going to stay put tomorrow and visit the Christmas markets and I have my eye on a Christmas tree in M&S which is a two-minute walk from the boat. ((I knew that was why you were clearing that area!)) so easy to bring back to the boat and it will fit very nicely on top of the cupboard or it might go next to the TV we will have to see but that is very exciting!

Tomorrow I really must crack on with my novel. I’m really pleased though because on the train back from Newark I used the 2.5 hours to do a little bit of writing but mainly it was getting all the plot sorted and in the right order and now I think I have all the characters motives and plans in place so I can go back to the start and really bulk out the book and add more mystery to their motives. I would really like to aim to add possibly 5k tomorrow! I think the most I’ve written in one day is 7k so it’s a tall order with editing as well. We will see!

Words:  1,592    Total: 21,206

Sunday 19th November – Day 120

I spent the morning getting the rest of the videos sorted and uploaded and made the Chatsworth vlog live so that created some storage space on my phone. I also added a little bit more to my thriller so making steady but slow process ((You’re telling me!)) there is still something missing. I keep making progress with it but there is something just not sitting right with the plot. I don’t feel like the reader will get the full satisfaction from how it unfolds at the moment, there needs to be another element, another level of what if, more questions, I don’t know what yet, but I know there is something missing! I’ve written 13 books but there is always something to learn, whether that is feedback from readers, editors, reading other books or just things I wish I’d done better. What experience tells me is that I will find ‘that thing’ or the characters will show me the way. In times gone by I would get frustrated but that’s one of the benefits of doing this for a few years I know it will come.

In between the showers we went to explore the local area which led us to walk along the river Trent and that led us to looking at the source of the river Trent which we hope to film one day or share in our canal book next year. Our journey on the boat has been linked to the River Trent for the whole of journey, by living on it in the marina and travelling along and by it.

We treat ourselves to a wonderful sweet potato and feta pie and a full Sunday veggie dinner before settling down to watch MotoGP.

I cannot believe yet another week has gone by. We will soon be living back in a marina for winter which will mean we can crack on with a lot of boat jobs we want to get done which are easier when in a marina with electric. It also means I can use my coffee machine more often! ((I cannot believe he said that you needed to get rid of it!)) I know, that is never going to happen.

Next week we hope to cruise to near Stoke on Trent and then make the return trip to Great Haywood and the marina. This will be end of cruising on new canals until next year and then we will need to look at where we go next year. It’s really exciting to think we will be exploring new areas in the country. We cannot wait to share it all with you and in late 2024 we will publish a book on our travels!
Words:  629    Total: 21,835

Until next week. xx

Too much socialising and not enough writing!

Sunday 12th November – Day 119

Today I achieve the grand total of zero words ((erm!)) I know, I know but I’ve been socialising ((That is not a valid excuse Peachy. You need to take this seriously if you’re going to make it as an author. Not just gallivanting around the country pretending you have friends! And don’t go telling me it’s ‘research’ or you’re developing characters through interactions with others because I’m not accepting that as an acceptable excuse!)) oh…

We go back to our Newark and visit some of our pals at the marina. We lived on the boat for a year in the marina which I would highly recommend for anyone thinking about getting a boat. It made things much easier getting used to boat life.

We catch up with Chris’s folks before Chris leaves me in Newark and returns to the boat at Great Haywood and I meet a friend at Costa. As most will know who read my blogs, I love socialising and I’m very lucky to have a lot of friends so it’s wonderful to be back and catching up with them.

Right that’s it for this week. Next week will be mostly about catching up with friends and then back to the boat at the end of the week and a cruise onto new water!

Until next week… xx

Wordcount: ((00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000)) hey don’t add so many zero’s! total wordcount: 15,531

Cannock chase to see the deer

Saturday 11th November – Day 118

It’s up early again today as we make the most of having the car to go on an early morning car cruise through the Cannock chase area. It’s simply stunning with all the beautiful autumnal bracken and trees and we are lucky enough to spot some of the deer and it was wonderful to stop and enjoy that. I did get a little video I will pop on my Youtube vlog at some point.

We also pop to the postoffice as after having the declutter we’ve sold some bits and bobs and it’s a lot easier taking them in the car. Then we put the boat to bed and switch everything off bar the fridge/freezer after running the engine for 30 mins just to top up the batteries as we are both away overnight. Chris is back tomorrow but I’m heading to Derby to see friends and then to Newark to catch up with mates and as mentioned before the very important annual visit to Chatsworth House, by then I will officially declare it Christmas.

I’ve writing this at my friend’s house, in my pjs at 2pm! I know! So indulgent, but she had to pop out for a bit and so I indulged in a bath! OMG so good to finally enjoy a hot bath rather than a shower. It’s the one thing I really miss about living in a house. I originally said I would have a bath on the boat but now I’m not so sure it would work. The cost to heat up the water and making sure you are near a water point to refill, I’m not sure we will now.

Right, that’s me done. I’m going to get some wordcount added to my Jersey novel before my friend gets back and we eat, drink and catch up. Another fabulous day.

Wordcount: 768 total 15,531