Stuart Aken's Blog, page 12
April 1, 2024
Oddities Observed On Outings #6
This beautifully crafted, sorrowing and burdened representation of the Biblical Eve, apparently carrying the weight of her so-called sins in that enormous apple, used to stand on a grassy hillside crossed by a public footpath not far from where I live. The wooden statue stood for many years but has recently vanished. I don’t know …
March 30, 2024
#ScenicSaturday 30th March 2024:
This continuing series of posts depicts our beautiful world, encouraging viewers to share them and help save our unique home from human carelessness and indifference. Today’s photo shows a landlubber’s view of a rough bay on the Greek Island of Rhodes. It’s from October 2017, and I hope it’ll warm the cockles of your heart …
March 29, 2024
The Fabled Coast, by Sophia Kingshill & Jennifer Westwood: #BookReview.
Subtitled ‘Legends & Traditions from Around the Shores of Britain and Ireland’ the 510 pages of this weighty tome reveal the origins of many a dark tale and some amusing stories. The place of superstition in forming and embellishing folk tales and traditions is illustrated in this well researched book. It is fascinating how many …
Continue reading The Fabled Coast, by Sophia Kingshill & Jennifer Westwood: #BookReview.
March 25, 2024
How Goes the WIP?
On Sunday, 17th March, I reported that the WIP had reached 20,293 words and I was working on Chapter 8. I’d intended to report back yesterday, but got rather engaged by Natalie Bennet’s excellent and hope-inspiring ‘Change Everything’ and rather lost track of the time. You’ll find my review of this timely book about the …
Change Everything, by Natalie Bennett: #BookReview.
Subtitled ‘How we can rethink, repair and rebuild society’ this book deals comprehensively with issues and problems of our current political systems. It is essentially written about the situation in the UK but has a pretty universal application. I’d like to have all our current, and potential, politicians made to sit down and read this …
Continue reading Change Everything, by Natalie Bennett: #BookReview.
March 23, 2024
#ScenicSaturday 23rd March 2024
This continuing series of posts depicts our beautiful world, encouraging viewers to share them and help save our unique home from human carelessness and indifference. Today’s photo was taken on the route approaching Malham Cove, a massive limestone cliff, shaped like an amphitheatre. This picture shows the beck that once created the cove, now flowing …
March 22, 2024
Oddities Observed On Outings #5
This charming residence for local wildlife in the form of flying and crawling insects, is located adjacent to an entry footpath into the Forest of Dean. It sits in a garden bordering the path, inviting creepy-crawlies to stay as long as they wish. I love the name ‘Bugingham Palace’, which lends an air of grandeur …
March 17, 2024
Progress on the WIP #2
The first post about the new novel’s progress can be found here.I started actually writing, following a year of research, last Sunday. At the end of today, I’ve achieved a total of 20,293 words and am currently working on Chapter 8. It’s going well. Despite the extensive research, I’ve still had to break off a …
March 16, 2024
#ScenicSaturday 16th March 2024:
This continuing series of posts depicts our beautiful world, encouraging viewers to share them and help save our unique home from human carelessness and indifference. Today’s photo depicts an almost invisible narrow path through a small copse of silver and rough birch trees under the March sun in the Forest of Dean. The elegance of …
March 15, 2024
Oddities Observed On Outings #4
Coming across these tiny clogs, with the small door leading into the mystery space in the tree roots was what inspired the idea for this series. By no means the only careful construction we’ve encountered on our various walks, it was definitely the one that showed most creative thought and care. To take the time and …
