Janet MacLeod Trotter's Blog, page 12
May 10, 2013
ANYONE FOR TIGERS AND TENNIS? – forgotten diaries of India in the 1920s
Recently, I have come across old diaries and letters written in India by my maternal grandparents in the 1920s and 1930s, where my granddad was a forester with the Indian Forest Service. Bob Gorrie had been a gunner in the First World War and survivor of trench warfare (one of the ‘mortar-mongers’ as he nicknamed them). He kept diaries of that ‘adventure’ too, but that’s a whole other story!
On his return to Scotland, he trained in Edinburgh at the University – there’s seems to have been a lot of rowing, tea dances and theatre trips in between lectures on tree species and Hindustani – Bob was relishing life post Flanders. There was a whirlwind romance with sophisticated Sydney Easterbrook (a wow on the dance floor) and then he was off to the Punjab, leaving his fiancee to follow a year later …
As a writer and researcher, I am absolutely hooked on my grandparents story – their life in India leaps off the page – and I’m drinking tea, marking trees, auctioning timber, riding under moonlight and playing ‘topping’ games of tennis alongside them!
Oh, yes – and I’m wearing a brooch made out of a tiger’s claw from a man-eating tiger that my grandfather shot and named Gwendoline …
My next novel – a sequel to the Tea Planter’s Daughter – is taking form and taking my characters back to India in the ’20s. Over the next few months I’ll share slices of that long gone era on this blog – with the help of Bob and Sydney.
Filed under: Family Sagas, News, Researching The Stories Tagged: 1st World War, diaries, grandparents, India, Indian Forest Service, Punjab, Tea Planter's Daughter
April 6, 2013
IMAGINE BEING A SUFFRAGETTE – AND WINNING A WRITING COMPETITION!
Signing at Rutherford’s, Morpeth of No Greater Love (with ‘grumpy man’ anti-suffragist behind!) Photo by Jan Rowley
Imagine being a suffragette? Then write your feelings and win a national writing competition! Take a look at this Emily Inspires competition:
http://www.listenupnorth.com/writer-profiles/writing-competition
Just one of the exciting events in the 2013 centenary celebrations of suffragette heroine, Emily Wilding Davison.
My own novel, No Greater Love, was inspired by Northumbrian Davison, and follows the turbulent life of Tynesider, Maggie Beaton in her fight for the vote and personal freedom. http://amzn.to/ZmIOb8
It was recently launched at Rutherford’s department store in Morpeth – the town where Emily’s family used to live – on International Women’s Day.
Husband Graeme got into role as the grumpy man in the bowler hat who argues with Maggie over a suffragette newspaper – but she gets the last laugh!
Jessica of Morpeth was the most stylish of hat-wearers on International Women’s Day!
So go on – have a go at the competition – and good luck!
Filed under: Events, News, Researching The Stories, Suffragettes, Uncategorized
March 8, 2013
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY – suffragettes out in force in Morpeth!
Morpeth was buzzing today with the first events of the year to mark the centenary of Emily Wilding Davison’s martyrdom in the cause of women’s emancipation.
Werca’s Folk singing The Women’s March by Emily’s grave
A hundred years ago, her protest at the Epsom races for Votes for Women led to her being trampled by the King’s horse. She died a few days later. Her body was brought back to be buried in the family plot in Morpeth, Northumberland – and huge crowds lined the road to pay tribute to “the wild lass”.
Today, there was a packed church at St Mary’s for a very moving service of tributes and songs, and a procession to the graveside.
Descendants at Emily’s graveside
Lauren Caisley, descendant of Emily’s who spoke at the service – Emily would have been proud!
Later in the day, I was doing a signing at Rutherford’s department store in the town (close to where Emily used to make passionate speeches and throw sweets to local children). A special edition of my suffragette novel, NO GREATER LOVE, with a new ending, has been launch today to mark Emily’s centenary.
The profits from books sold at Rutherford’s will go towards International Women’s Day Oxfam appeal.
Filed under: Events, New Publications, News, Researching The Stories
January 31, 2013
WRITERS ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA – Tender is the Write!
This time last year, husband Graeme and I spent some time living in Antibes in the south of France. The last time I had been along the Riviera was 36 years previously on a bus to India – it was raining so hard that we hardly stopped and just kept on driving through! I wondered then what all the fuss was about – why did writers (from Victor Hugo to Scott Fitzgerald) find it such a conducive place to write?
Hotel du Cap where Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald stayed (and the inspiration for Tender is the Night) – but in January it is closed.
Victor Hugo stopped in Antibes for lunch – a good recommendation!
But having spent time there in the middle of winter, I understand. Its a tonic of blue skies, empty(ish) beaches, snow-capped Alps as backdrop, a place where the locals still live outdoors on cold days playing boules, reading on park benches or strolling the promenades wrapped up in fur coats and stylish hats.
Villa Eilenroc where Jules Verne lived for 3 years and wrote 20,000 Leagues under the Sea
The house of Nikos Kazantzaki, 8 Rue Bas Castellet in Antibes, where he wrote Zorba the Greek.
I hope other writers got more work done than I did! But it was a great place to re-charge the writing batteries – and give inspiration for future storytelling ….
More pictures at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Overlanders-Janet-MacLeod-Trotter/341194588115
Filed under: News, Researching The Stories Tagged: Antibes, Hotel du Cap, Jules Verne, Riviera, Scott Fitzgerald, South of France, Victor Hugo, winter in France, writers, Zorba the Greek
December 17, 2012
Over the festive season, THE HAUNTING OF KULAH, my myster...
Over the festive season, THE HAUNTING OF KULAH, my mystery novel set on the Outer Isles of Scotland, is available on Kindle at the very festive price of 99p!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-HAUNTING-KULAH-mesmerising-ebook/dp/B008LFEV7O/ref=pd_sim_kinc_1
or on Amazon.com for $1.59
I wish you a peaceful and happy holiday,
Janet
Filed under: Mysteries, News, The Haunting of Kulah
December 15, 2012
KATHMANDU – COFFEE, CAKE, KOTHAYS & FAREWELL MEAL, 1976
[As I say in a letter home: 'we all seem to have booked in at the same hotel - apparently we're the only group who've stuck together after the trip finished! Had a farewell dinner the second night here before Neva flew away and we had speeches and jokes and presented Geoff with a drinking cup!'
Having been replenished with badly needed funds from home I appear to have gone on an eating spree. The letter continues: 'The street down from our hotel is full of good eating places and thanks to the money you sent me I've been trying out lovely Chinese and Tibetan foods - chicken with cashew nuts, buffalo and curd, Kothays (things in batter) etc! Not the least attraction is KC's cake and pie shop! They serve such huge portions of mouthmelting creations and their coffee is lovely, so we drink gallons as there wasn't much on the trip.']
FRIDAY 15TH DECEMBER, 1976
KC’s great restaurant, Thamel, Kathmandu, 1976
“No one could lie in because conditioned to wakening at crack of dawn! Had lovely hot shower. Pam and me went to KC’s for breakfast – toast and coffee! Then met Jan at bank and so went back for more toast and coffee. Joined people lazing on hotel balcony (ie concrete terrace where spread washing).
Not long before decided to try a KC cake – huge helpings, everything from fruit salad pie to sponge cake! Then went in search of Yeti Travels for mail (already heard tickets not arrived from London).
Went via maze of backstreets – fruit sellers, clothes, bicycles galore, small squares, mangy dogs, smell and filth, buffalo roaming lanes; tallish brick houses with old dark carved wooden window frames and doors.
Eventually onto broad main streets and got mail – heard money come through, so relief that can live again! Post Office with Jan – race in queue for stamps.
Gathered at hotel to discuss what giving Geoff [driver] and to order for group farewell meal.
Had meal in Star Hotel – fruit juice, steak (cold) veg (few) cake (revolting) tea (sweet)! Apart from disappointing meal, speeches by Rob and Geoff and Fred were funny and Rob told wide-mouth frog joke (promised since Florence, Mich. Angelo campsite!) Good atmosphere to end evening – Neva’s last night.”
[image error]
Filed under: cake shop, Kathmandu, KC's restaurant, Nepal, Overlanders, Thamel, Tibetan food, Yeti Travels
December 13, 2012
FATEHPUR SIKRI, INDIA – giant chess, murderous elephants, perfect pink palace, 1976
[After doing pujah with the early morning farmers, we headed to fabulous Fatehpur Sikri. I found it a peaceful place of good vibes - though it can't have been all sweetness and light at the court of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar where female slaves were used as chess pawns and transgressors were done to death by stamping elephants. In 1976 though, we found only a brilliant guide and tranquil musicians.]
THURSDAY 9TH EDECEMBER,1976 – Part Two
“First stop was the deserted pink city of Akbar the Great’s at Fatehpur Sikri; built because he was promised a son there by a wise man and it was granted him. (Had 3 wives but no son by the age of 30. 2 Hindu wives and 1 Moslem wife from Istanbul who had her own tiny palace – hollow underneath to that cooler in summer).
Had a good guide round the palace. Super place – only lived in for 14 years before the water supply dried up. Really peaceful, happy atmosphere. All sandstone again.
Saw: camel stalls, horse stables, a chief minister’s house (Akbar had 9), a 5 storey pagoda-style summer house for the women – different style pillars with storeys tapering away; the top was where the Emperor sat with his wives. Could see the tomb of the Elephant down below, outside the city (spiky tower).
Saw courtyard with chess board marked out – king and queen sat on pedestal in the middle and the king played with the pawns i.e. the slave girls!
Also saw the house where he reputedly played hide and seek with 3000 “unofficial queens” as the guide put it!
Shown the public audience chamber that overlooked garden where elephant was tied up and stamped people to death (no hanging). Private audience chamber of Akbar – 4 gangways overhead converging on central round balcony where he sat on the throne and talked with his ministers (who were at each corner).
Also saw dining room and Akbar’s bedroom with huge raised stone bed. Balcony where he sat and overlooked ornamental pond where people sat round and listened to musicians in middle of the pond. Lastly saw round Hindu ladies (queens’) summer and winter palaces.
Then went and had a look at the mosque part with white mausoleum to the wise man who prophecied Akbar’s son. Big courtyard with trees in middle with people selling flowers and cloth underneath. 3 musicians sitting on marble flagstones in front of mausoleum – drummer, singer and pianist. Inside was an ornate screen with a tomb covered in cloths (Moslem custom).
We each tied a coloured string round the marble frame and made a wish – our guide promised it was infalable!”
White mausoleum of wise man, Fatehpur Sikri
[image error]
Filed under: Overlanders
SONG AT SUNRISE – white oxen, green fields. Rajasthan, India, 1976
[Camping wild at the side of the road in village India was one of the highlights of the trail - and waking to a crisp, pink mellow winter's sunrise with rural life already up and on the go. The impression made by the farmers this particular morning was vivid and long lasting - that is why it reappears in fictional form in my novel THE VANISHING OF RUTH.]
THURSDAY 9TH DECEMBER, 1976 – Part One
“In the morning, opposite side of the road, the sun was rising pink over the misty trees.
4 men came with 6 white oxen and began working the well to irrigate surrounding fields. 2 threw big leather bags into the well; other 2 set off down small slope, riding on the ropes pulled by 2 pairs of oxen. 2 at the top then emptied the bags into a channel that fed water away into the green fields. Cheerful young one singing away as he worked the bag.
Saw peacocks at side of the road – very shy.”
[image error]
Filed under: Overlanders
December 12, 2012
JAIPUR, INDIA – PINK CITY, PINK FLOWERS, SKIRTS AND DENTURES! 1976
[Excitement over elephants at Amber left me without enough stamina for the pink city of Jaipur. Built in the early 18th century by the ruler of Rajasthan, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, it became his capital instead of Amber and was India's first planned city. Its streets were first painted pink for a visit by the Prince of Wales in the 1850s. But the attractions of the teaming streets - flower sellers and dentists' stalls - seem to have caught my attention more than the opulent architecture.
There's a beautifully written book that portrays Jaipur and its princely family at the time of Indian Independence which came out in the 1980s: 'A Princess Remembers: Memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur' by Gayatri Devi and Santha Rama Rau - highly recommend it.]
WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER, 1976 – Part Three
“Went on to Jaipur. Pink sandstone city in modern layout (supposed to be famous for its jewels). Wandered up and down a couple of streets (4 radiating from a roundabout) with Jan – didn’t like to dive into narrow bazaar area. Bedevilled with people trying to sell wrapover skirts (nice if had the money).
Felt exhausted but decided to walk up top of pink palace (18th century Persian architecture – am I right about this?) and finally found entrance archway, then headed into wrong courtyard! When found the main stairway (which was in fact signposted to Memorial!) it was closed! Failed as tourists once again!
Camped not far away, off the road by some haystacks. Jan is back in our tent – the others had big boast of sleeping outside – teased me about snakes but they all slept inside tent eventually! I was shoved behind the tent pole!
Silly evening on bus – we’ve a mouse on board!”
[image error]
Filed under: Overlanders
BARBAR THE ELEPHANT AND GHOST OF GHANDI – AMBER, INDIA
[Next stop this December day was Amber (the old capital of Rajasthan in the 11th century) and its fabulous palace. Anywhere that had so many elephants, my favourite animal , was going to have a strong appeal. (I was brought up on Barbar the Elephant stories and for years as a child believed the mountain in central Edinburgh was called Barbar's Seat). The palace was built with a special wide walk for the elephants, and for those who had the money, you could still approach it that way. This was one of the places I attempted to use the temperamental cine camera; the result was a lot of dark shadow and the flash of an elephant for a split second.
Down in the town, I think I caught a glimpse of Ghandi's ghost ... Barbar and Ghandi - two big influences on my life in one place.]
WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER – Part Two
“Stopped at Amber – interesting village, with superb fort and palace on top of hill (various other temples etc on other surrounding hills). Walked up elephant walk to palace (lots of elephants with painted trunks and ears giving rides up). Lovely gardens below and big pond with ornamental garden.
Big courtyard inside with arcades all round (some tourist shops), elephants and gardens. Up rampart into palace proper. Nice view from this courtyard over pond and valley below. Lovely entrance into inner courtyard – pink tiles etc.
Smaller courtyard with royal quarters around it. Hall of mirrors – beautiful glass and mirrors covering walls – brightly coloured glass in form of flowers, people, animals with alabaster on top. Remains of inlaid sandalwood and ivory doors. Water shute and marble grate where the breeze came through to cool the place in summer (1600s).
Down to village to find a drink. Fascinating medicine man – long unkempt black hair, very dark skin, sitting in his loincloth by a cloth spread with bottles and little heaps of something – several little boys helping him who also sat cross-legged by him.
Little old man with loincloth and a walking stick was dashing round the village – eventually jumped on a bus.”
[image error]
Filed under: Overlanders
