Maggie Fogarty's Blog, page 2

5 Questions To Independent Author Amanda Davey – Indie Author Week UK 2021

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/indieauthorweekuk

You are a writer, photographer and draw too – quite a ‘polymath’! Tell us how you manage to combine these things…

– It’s lovely to be called a ‘polymath’! It’s interesting actually, because all can be linked together with the common goal of telling a story – so they have more in common than you might expect. Non fiction is still best in ‘story form’, photographs are well known for their ability to tell a story and drawings are about communicating ideas as well. Plus, variety is the spice of life!

Intriguingly you’ve also been a ‘map curator’– what did this involve?

– Firstly, becoming a map curator requires intense dedication to getting the job as there are very few of them. Once you have got into the job it depends on where you work. Some map libraries hold old maps, while others hold maps that are in constant use and are modern. There is an element of conservation included, but a great deal of cataloguing as well as dealing with enquiries. Computers are a vital tool these days. Cataloguing international mapping was surprisingly fascinating and one of my successors went on to work in Stanfords in London. (Another is now the head of the Map Library at the Bodleian in Oxford).

You are part of theTilia Publishing team – what is the inspiration behind the company?

– When I started working for myself in 2004 I named the business ‘Tilia Services’ – Tilia is the Latin name for the genus of Lime trees and a favourite view in childhood was of the massive Lime tree at the bottom of our garden. Plus, (and I think you’ll like this), Lime as a tree and as a wood is pretty much a ‘polymath’ in all the different things that you can do with it!

Your grandfather, Sir Harold Harding, was an amazing man and sat on the tribunal investigating the Aberfan Disaster in 1966, How did he influence you?

– My grandfather had a fabulous sense of humour and time spent with him was always great fun. He was a civil engineer, but loved history and Ronnie Barker. He generously paid for my undergraduate dissertation to be typed (which was just as well as it turned out I couldn’t spell archaeology properly!) and for my successful driving lessons. He taught me that short pithy sentences grab the reader’s attention most successfully, although I’ve still to get fully into that mindset. He and my grandmother hilariously described how they chose their bed, by going around the store bouncing on the edges of all the beds until they found the right one. I published his autobiography as our first book as a way of saying thank you for the richness of the times I spent with him

Finally – tell us about your book ‘Freckles and Friends’ – a great title by the way!

– Freckles and Friends!  Oh yes… A few years ago we were serenaded by a young robin we called Freckles after the freckles on his tummy. I would put updates about him and his antics on Facebook for my friends to enjoy. One friend, Jane, suddenly turned to me and said “You know what your next book should be? It should be called ‘Freckles and Friends’ and be about the wildlife in your garden and the young robin Freckles!” At first I wasn’t keen, but then realised that actually there were some funny stories that had happened in our small garden and it could be free of the po-faced veneration that is in a lot of books. Wildlife is rich in its interaction. Just today I was in the garden and a couple of bees plomped onto the path next to me in a clinch, my immediate response was to think of kids on the TV who go ‘Fight Fight!’ It has been so heartening to hear from readers of the book who have been finding the stories in their gardens and their own access to wildlife. That’s what it’s for.

Facebook is @TiliaPublishingUK

Twitter is @TiliaPublishUK

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5 Questions To Independent Author Jude Lennon – Indie Author Week UK 2021

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/indieauthorweekuk

You are best known for your children’s books but you have been working on your first full length novel for ‘grown-ups’. Tell us a bit about that.

– ‘Kintsugi’ (working title) is a contemporary fiction with an historical twist. The main character has a well ordered, normal life which is turned upside down by family history and skeletons in the closet. Very different to my children’s tales about lambs and starfish!

You have also written a collection of short stories ‘A Slice of Lennon’, How do you find writing in a shorter form?

– I’ve been  in a writing group for about four years now. Our monthly challenges are supposed to have a word limit of 500 words, not that we ever stick to that! Our pieces are generally between 1000-2000 words and doing that on a regular basis has really helped to establish my short story writing. I find you can be more inventive. People are more forgiving of flights of fancy in short stories.

Indie Author Week UK is growing in popularity and a busy annual week for you and the team. What inspired the setting up of this event?

– It was set up by Sue Miller who founded Team Author UK which provides Assisted Publishing services to Indie Authors. Sue was looking for festivals/events that her authors could get involved with and because she couldn’t find one, she created Indie Author Week UK which has now been going for 4 years.

When you aren’t busy working you like to escape in your campervan which you call ‘Buttercup’!. What plans have you got for campervan adventures this summer?

– We love our van! We have had a couple of trips to Wales and Shropshire so far and we will definitely be exploring other areas too. We haven’t booked anywhere definite yet but potentially Derbyshire, Yorkshire or back to Wales and Shropshire.

As if writing a novel, giving talks, collaborating with other writers and artists isn’t enough (!) you have also played an active part in the Liverpool Year of Writing. How is that going?

– It’s going really well. The whole city is being encouraged to get involved whether as authors, writers, would be writers or families who want to enjoy experimenting with words. There have been around 300 events so far, several competitions and more to come. It’s a great way to promote the importance of literacy.

www.facebook.com/JudeLennonAuthor

www.twitter.com/JudeLennonBooks

www.instagram.com/JudeLennonBooks

Jude and her campervan ‘Buttercup’!

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Road trip, feature and book…

The one thing this Covid pandemic has taught us is to appreciate life’s small pleasures.

Meeting with a few friends for drinks outdoors, an al fresco meal (wearing several layers!), heading off for a road trip to somewhere different. Our increased appreciation of these little but important aspects of life is one of the good things to come out of a crisis.

Heading off in our Motor Home for the first time this year felt great. We weren’t going far – just a short trip away to the Lizard Peninsula in south Cornwall – but the chance to get a change of scene was a reward in itself.

We chose a site called ‘Henry’s Camp’ because of its closeness to Lizard village, which has a couple of pubs, cafes and local shops. To call the entrance to the site ‘quirky’ barely does it justice – lots of hand made painted signs, an old school hinged gate, ducks wandering around, little outside seating areas with well used casual sofas and chairs scattered about, a shop selling essentials including Rosie’s Cider (!), a raised area for live music. Think casual with a large ‘C’ and well…unconventional.

The drive down to the pitches was narrow in places but we were given a huge area with a sea view and our own picnic bench. The site wasn’t packed out at this time of year (late April) and it was one of the best pitches we’ve had in this country – incredibly peaceful with no background traffic noise.

Pitch with sea view

Our dog Bonnie didn’t quite know what to make of the ducks roaming around but it just added to the laid back charm of the place.

After a stroll down to Lizard point and a drink at a National Trust run cafe overlooking the beach. we had a look around the village and checked out the options for an evening meal. The Witch Ball – the most southerly pub in England – was our only real choice as it was serving food through the evening and we didn’t want to have to eat too early.

The food was the standard pub-type fare and served up in takeaway style boxes. Not my favourite way to eat but hey – we were dining out for the first time in months! We chose a covered area to sit but with no outside heating, it started to get uncomortably cold. As one of my friends often says, “it isn’t too cold you just need a warmer coat!”. Yeah right.

The next day we walked to the stunning Kynance Cove. You need decent walking boots and good balance on the rocky path down but the reward is a view to die for. It reminded me of the year we spent living in Bermuda, the sea showing off different shades of torquoise and incredibly clear water. While the temperature wasn’t up to Bermuda standards, the sun was shining and what was I saying about those small things? Bliss.

Kynance Cove

The evening was spent outside the Motor Home with favourite tipples, chatting to some people on an adjoining pitch and then the quintessential locally bought Cornish pasty – but eaten indoors this time! Not as good as our usual ones but not bad either.

On our last morning of the trip we had another walk down to Church Cove which was magical, greener scenery with smatterings of jaunty spring flowers, and then coffee and cake at ‘Coast’ cafe before heading back home to Marazion.

Only a short first break of the year but after a busy few months of projects and deadlines, it was good to have an escape. We’re already thinking about the next one and let’s face it – after months of not being able to plan anything, putting things on the calendar is another treat. Yeah!

My book of choice this time is ‘Just a Boy’ by Richard McCann. His mum, Wilma, was killed in 1975 when Richard was coming up to his 6th birthday and she is the first known victim of the serial killer Peter Sutcliffe. I interviewed him recently for a magazine feature and his story is one of strength and resilience in the face of terrible childhood trauma. I read ‘Just a Boy’ some 16 years ago when it became a best seller and re-read it as part of my research for the feature. The book helped change his life – he is now a family man with three children (something he once believed that he didn’t ‘deserve’ due to his troubled past) and runs iCan Academy, a successful business built on his expertise as an inspirational and keynote speaker.

While the book deals with the long term effects of childhood trauma on both Richard and his three siblings, it is still full of humanity and hope – well written too. In the course of my work as a social affairs journalist and TV producer, I have covered a lot of stories about the enduring legacy of child abuse and neglect. Richard’s book still stands out for his honesty, compassion and survival against some of the worst odds imaginable. An inspiratonal read along with the follow-up publication ‘Just a Man’. (www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084TGQSJP)

That’s it for now – until the next MoHo trip which won’t be too long!

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Lockdown 2, writing news and Christmas…

Here we are then – just about to come out of lockdown 2 with a mix of optimism and trepidation. Hopefully good news on the Covid-19 vaccine front but not before the prospect of a few tough winter months ahead.

The odds of a hard lockdown 3 immediately after Christmas? That’s down to how we all take care over the festive period but if we’ve learned anything since March, it is best not to rule anything in or out.

Still, for those of us who love the festive period, there is something to look forward to. Even if it isn’t going to be the same for family get togethers and social gatherings, we can still enjoy the decorations, celebratory food and drink. Then there is the prospect of a brand new year ahead with the hope that it has to be better than 2020. Let’s face it, most of us will be glad to see the back of this one.

If you had told us this time last year that we would be in the midst of a world pandemic, wearing masks and being locked down for months, it would have felt like something from one of those dystopian novels. Yet here we are and already the ‘old world’ seems a long way off.

Many of my friends in the world of TV production and live entertainment are struggling, not qualifying for furlough because they are freelance or self employed. Nearly three million people have fallen through the net and still don’t know when (or even if) they will be able to return to their jobs, a huge waste of talent and training. Hopefully in the longer term there will be such a pent up demand for live performances, theatre and events that most will be able to go back to the careers they love.

Meantime, this has still been a busy year for me despite the lockdowns. As someone who works largely from home, not much has changed there. Already I’ve been doing more factual writing, including an essay contribution for a book which is coming out in the New Year alongside various magazine features/review pieces. I’ve also collaborated with a company called Butterfly Boxes on a bespoke gift box with a book which is aimed at carers and care related workers across the board.

The latest short story collection book ‘Shorts and Thoughts’ is included in the box, along with various other goodies. Here’s a photo and a link for anyone who wants to send a gift to a care worker they know, whether it is for Christmas, a birthday, or just a thank you, while helping to raise some money for the Social Workers’ Benevolent Trust charity – swbt.org. Covid-19 has shown us just how important our frontline social work and care sector workers really are, something we shouldn’t forget as we begin to emerge from this world wide health crisis. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/903972491/social-worker-benevolent-trust-box?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

My book of choice this time is Alastair Campbell’s ‘Living Better’ which deals with his own struggles with mental health. Alastair was best known for his role as former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesperson and strategist. While working in this high pressure environment, he was – and still is – living with severe depression, which he says at the start of the book led him to consider ending his own life. A bad ‘almost’ as he puts it.

He talks candidly about the effects on his family, friends and on his own everyday life which continues to this day. If there is one overall message it is not to feel ashamed or to remain silent. In the end he sought professional help, learning to understand his depression, what the triggers are, and crucially, how to live a better life with it.

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, the book is uplifting and informative, with some wry humour thrown in. There is also an insightful chapter from his partner Fiona about how to live with someone who has depression. Then there is the story of a Jam Jar but you’ll have to read the book to find out about that!

Finally, as we emerge from this latest lockdown there will be a chance to take our Motor Home out for another spin. Having spent most of this year with the MoHo parked up on the driveway, we are looking forward to hitting the open road again even if we keep the travel to within Cornwall. Afterall, there are worse places to live – just ask Bonnie dog! (Rocking that Cornish tartan bandana). Photo thanks to Russ Ahearne @hamiltonahearne photography.

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Motor Homing in Wales, writing news and Bonnie dog photo…

Well September was supposed involve a motor home visit to the west coast of France but with the current Covid restrictions those plans had to be ditched.

So instead it was back to Wales and we managed to fit in our road trip just before a large part of that beautiful country also went into stricter lockdown. Which just goes to show how hard it is to make travel plans in these times. Or any plans come to think of it.

Still, we had a great time revisiting Cardiff and Aberaeron but also stopped over at Saundersfoot as well.

Motor Home at Cardiff site

The Cardiff site has been a real find – adjoining the cricket ground with lovely parkland all around and you can stroll into the city along the river. Much of the city centre has been pedestrianised and although it was raining on the day we went there, we managed to find a dog friendly place to grab a bite of lunch, with the manager letting us sit in a quiet area inside. (Their usual practice is for people with dogs to sit outside at the umbrella covered tables but it was raining pretty hard!). So hats off to Old Havana in Cardiff centre where we had a great lunch admiring the Cuban wall photos and the fantastic vintage American Cadillac which graced the entrance.

While in Cardiff we met with a cousin of mine who I hadn’t seen for many years. It didn’t take us long to catch up on each others lives and it always amazes me how strong the connection is between extended family members. Something just clicks – a combination of shared DNA and history. We were so busy chatting that we forgot to take photos (no selfie sticks at the ready) but we’ll make up for that next time – my cousin has lived in Cardiff for a long time and has promised to give us a proper ‘locals tour’. Looking forward to that!

Aberaeron

By the time we got to Aberaeron in Cardigan Bay, the sun was shining again and we were able to explore more of this little harbour gem. For a small place it has some great restaurants and is known for its honey ice-cream, one of the best I’ve tasted. Admittedly, it doesn’t sound the most promising of combinations and with a nod to Peter Kay’s garlic bread joke, ( ‘Honey- ice-cream?’), trust me it works. If you are in the area check out The Hive – a great eaterie and that honey ice-cream supplier.

After the road trip to Wales it was straight into writing a piece for a social work heritage book being published soon by the British Association of Social Workers. (BASW). My contribution looks back at social work over the decades and projects into the future as well – it is always hard trying to second guess what could happen in the coming years but I’ve given it a go. With my journalism background I enjoy writing for factual publications and was delighted to be asked to get involved.

More about that nearer to the publication date – the ambitious heritage project also features photographs, music and poetry. It is a testimony to a profession which is often both misunderstood and undervalued. Having said that, Covid-19 has also led to a greater appreciation of the caring professions across the board and not before time.

Some of you will have seen a selection of photos I’ve been sharing widely on social media. They were taken by my friend and talented photographer, Russ Ahearne and feature the latest book ‘ Shorts and Thoughts’ in beautiful settings across West Cornwall. We recently did some with yours truly, my husband Paul and Bonnie dog, which were taken at our home in Marazion.

I should have known from my time filming the TV series ‘Animal Rescuers’, that animals and photography can be a tricky mix! As someone who loves dogs, Russ finally cracked it – he got his fiancee Lucy, (also a dog lover), to get Bonnie to sit down beside her. When Lucy thought the time was right she signalled across, gently let go of the lead and moved sideways quickly. A few fast camera clicks and it was done. Here’s one with Bonnie looking straight on to the camera and rocking a Cornish tartan Bandana.

Bonnie dog and Cornish tartan Bandana – Photo @hamilton-ahearnephotography

Finally, dare I mention Christmas?!

If you know someone who enjoys short stories then pop them a copy of ‘Shorts and Thoughts’ as a stocking filler. With half of all book proceeds going to the Social Workers’ Benevolent Trust charity you’ll be helping a good cause as well. Here is the link https://amazon.co.uk/dp/B08B38YJNT

Slainte!

Book on the beach – Photo @hamilton-ahearnephotography

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Looking back, new book and review

To describe last month as a ‘busy’ one is putting it mildly. A new book launch at the start of #Indie Author Week UK, a magazine anniversary feature, swapping interviews with fellow author Jude Lennon, research work and remote meetings – well all I can say is ‘phew’!

Now it is time to pause and take stock, as well as getting the Motor Home back on the road after lockdown. Like many we’ll be ‘staycationing’ this summer, so won’t be travelling far, but any change of scene after recent months will be welcome. Open road here we come!

Not usually a fan of looking back, writing a feature as part of the 50th anniversary of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), did get me thinking about my first job in journalism. At the time, way back in the 1980s, I could have gone quite another route.

Straight after graduating, there was the prospect of a research grant for a university post-graduate degree in social history. It would have meant a move to another part of the UK but I then decided that academia wasn’t for me. I’d always wanted to be a journalist and had even completed an accredited distance learning course in my spare time.

Spotting an advertisement for a trainee reporter in then weekly national ‘Social Work Today’ magazine, I winged off my application. With a journalism qualification already under my belt. (and some experience of working with children in care), the job seemed tailor made for me.

An old business SWT card – supplied by a friend!

That still meant a tough two part interview, before being put on a three month ‘trial’. In the end I stayed there for five years, going from trainee reporter to chief reporter and feature writer.

During that time I covered everything from major child abuse stories, investigations into the social impact of mass unemployment in large parts of the UK, to high profile court cases and professional conferences. Subjects that I would then go on to cover for television documentaries and national newspapers/magazines,

Looking back over those early articles made me realise just how much things have changed – and haven’t changed – in the world of social work. By far the biggest scandal is the state of social care for vulnerable people, a can well and truly kicked down the road by successive governments. Covid-19 has laid bare the extent of this neglect and we can only hope that it will finally get the attention it so desperately needs. The alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.

Writing the latest magazine feature also gave me the idea to link my new short stories collection, ‘Shorts and Thoughts’, to the Social Workers’ Benevolent Trust charity.

Half of all book payments will go to the charity which is a small but much needed one. Sometimes those who care for others need help too and if you know anyone who likes short stories, then spread the word. I’m setting my sights high for this one as there is a charity involved.

This time around my book of choice is ‘Half A World Away’ by the talented Mike Gayle. I’ve read a number of Mike’s books over the years and this one deals with the themes of adoption, reunion and loss – subjects I’ve also covered in my own novella series.

Brilliantly written, poignant yet still uplifting, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Written from the point of view of the two main characters, the subject is dealt with sensitively and the story has you gripped from the outset. Yet another great offering from one of our best contemporary writers.

Finally, here’s to a more chill-out few weeks and MoHo adventures. Enjoy the summer everyone – after lockdown we’ll never take those small everyday freedoms for granted again.

Slainte!

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5 Questions To Independent Author Jude Lennon – Indie Author Week UK

ŸYou are best known for your children’s books but you have also written a short story collection ‘A Slice of Lennon’. How hard was it making the transition from children’s writing to creating stories for adults?

My writing group ‘The Revolting Peasants’ gave me an additional challenge one month – I couldn’t write for children.  Since then I have rarely written for children as part of my writing group but I did end up with a collection of short stories, many of which made it into the book.

ŸYou are a bit of a social media star – tell us how you manage to balance that with your prolific writing…

Scheduling!  I have a
spreadsheet (how unexciting) with my social media pages and key dates that I
want to post about. It makes it much easier to keep on top of it. Awareness
Days are my friend!

ŸDo you have any writer ‘must-haves’ while you work – music, props etc?

I LOVE music but don’t write with it on. I am a pen and paper
girl so I can pretty much write anywhere and have done. If I’m in my office at
home a cup of Rooibos tea is essential and chocolate if possible!

ŸA question that has to be asked – are you related to that other famous Lennon from Liverpool?

Ha, yes. My Dad’s grandfather and his grandfather were brothers. It’s not close enough for me to claim royalties!

ŸWhat have been your lockdown ‘saviours ’? Ahem – Ÿ the cover of ‘A Slice of Lennon’ might give a small hint about one of them…

The outdoors, my bike, laughing with my partner, reading and writing. The thought of getting away in my VW campervan Buttercup when this is over. And the odd tipple of gin – with that slice of ‘lemon’ !

The van is mine, her name is Buttercup!

https://littlelambpublishing.co.uk/shop/

Little Lamb Publishing

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Lockdown in West Cornwall…

Depending on whether you are an optimist or pessimist, the saying ‘May you live in interesting times’, is a blessing or a curse.

Well no-one could describe these lockdown times as anything but ‘interesting’ with commentators struggling to find distinctive ways to sum up this new world – ‘unprecedented’ has taken a pounding, as has ‘bizarre’ and ‘peculiar’. In short we are running out of words to describe this pandemic, with ‘stay safe’ being the current mantra.

How else do you sign off in the world of Covid 19?

Social media is awash with inspirational (or not!) quotations, conspiracy theories are flourishing, well known people are having words put into their mouths and then shared around as weird rants.

Meantime Gabby and her mates are putting themselves out there as the new ‘experts’ in everything from virology, public health management, to news coverage. Welcome to the ‘new normal’ – to coin another cliche.

During lockdown it is fascinating to see how we have retreated even further into our own ‘echo chambers’, sharing and agreeing with people who reflect our view of the world. This isn’t surprising – it makes us feel safe to surround ourselves with people whose views mirror our own – but it is still good to step outside your comfort zone and listen to someone with a different take on things.

That’s why travel can be so enriching but with that now out of bounds, the ‘I know better’ brigade are out there in droves doing what they do – tirading. (Ironically, some of the very same people were spreading the ‘be kind’ slogan just a few months ago).

Yet genuine day-to-day kindness survives against the odds. All over the country there have been numerous examples of people going the extra mile for neighbours, friends and family. People working away, making sure we are all cared for medically, are fed, able to get around and kept up-to-date with what is going on. Some of them losing their lives on this new battle field. The word gratitude barely does the job, yet another sign of how we are all struggling to find the right words.

Talking of gratitude…

Never in a million years did I think I’d get involved with a radio station when I moved to Cornwall back in 2012. Working in TV documentaries, current affairs and feature writing, my experience of radio was limited to the occasional interview on the back of a programme or written piece.

That is exactly how I first got introduced to Coast FM Radio, when the late Pat Quayle invited me to talk about my work. Not long afterwards, I found myself attending Board meetings, learning just how much hard work and dedication goes into running a local radio station.

In these lockdown times, the station has come into its own with presenters producing live programmes from home ‘studios’ and pre-recorded material too. Their shows keep people informed about home food deliveries, travel, health and welfare issues and much more. This alongside the usual dedications, music and occasional fun quizzes to lift the spirits.

Team Coast has certainly done it’s bit for the community down here and the level of commitment shown has been humbling. Just one small word here and again it doesn’t seem enough. Thanks.

Finally, with the Motor Home parked up for the duration – though we’ve been known to sit in there with the odd cocktail! – I’ve been reading a lockdown book courtesy of my niece Amy.

‘Crossing Places’ by Elly Griffiths features the fictional Dr Ruth Galloway, a forensic archeologist who combines her academic work at a local University with helping out in crime investigations. Overweight and overthinking, Ruth lives alone in a remote house on the North Norfolk coast, the ‘Saltmarsh’ providing a menacing and eerie backdrop. The book was published in 2009, so some investigative references are of their time but the main characters are believable and give some intriguing insights into this specialist field of forensics. There is a great sense of place and atmospheric story-telling – the writing is good too.

That’s it for now. Cheerio – and dare I say it? Oh go on then.

Stay safe.

PS: Photo of Bonnie dog guarding her well gnawed chew – just because…

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Motor Home Lessons, Cornwall Reading and Library Talk…

To say that Motor Home ownership is a steep learning curve is putting it mildly. Just when you think you are getting to grips with all things MoHo, up pops another problem to get your head around.

Still, learning new stuff is good for the brain and there is nothing like being able to set off at a whim. (Or whenever there is a break in the rainy weather, as has been the case over the past few months).

One of the biggest challenges is using the MoHo as our one and only form of transport, with no extra car or bikes. This means pitching up at sites where you can walk easily to a nearby town – or at least to a local pub or restaurant – especially when you are staying for several days.

From this point of view, membership groups like the Caravan and Motorhome Club are proving invaluable. Joining up means getting some discounts and reliable information about the proximity of sites to nearby towns, villages or eateries.

Recently we stopped over for a couple of days in Porlock, a lovely Somerset town and found a site which is just a five minute walk from the centre. Our pitch (costing £20 per night) included an electric hook-up and although we didn’t use the shower facilities – we have our own – they were there if you wanted them.

OK, the weather was what you might call ‘mixed’, but we still managed a good walk and a few visits to pooch Bonnie’s favourite places – the local pubs! (Well lets face it, we’re not averse either).

As you’d expect, Porlock is a dog friendly town – again we are learning that it is best to seek out places where you know mutts are welcome. So far so good on that score, given that Cornwall has set the – ahem – ‘bar’ pretty damn high.

Yet another lesson learned he hard way when MoHo travelling in winter. Relentless rain makes for lashings of mud on wheels, bodywork, boots and those dog paws! A decent foot mat sorts out us humans with Bonnie dog getting used to regular paw swills – safe to say not her favourite thing. Heading out this time of year really does mean leaving the clean up until you get home.

Muddy paintwork? Just embrace it darling!

My book on the move was ‘Summer at the Cornish Cafe’ by Phillipa Ashley. It was a Christmas present from my niece and a bit of summery escapism at this time of year.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect but found it a light, feel-good read from someone who knows (and clearly loves) Cornwall. The writer lists ‘watching Poldark’ as one of her hobbies and in essence this is a modern take on Poldark – the tin mine is replaced by an eco-friendly holiday business and Ross P is called Cal Penwith. Demelza keeps her name but it is abbreviated to a more hip sounding Demi.

With Cal returning from a stint in the Middle East to the neglected family holiday business left by his late father, in steps young Demi, bright as a button and in dire need of a job. Oh – as in Poldark and she has a dog in tow as well. With Cal still pining for his previous girlfriend, (now engaged to someone else), well you get the drift – damn it, we even know that he looks a bit like the actor Aidan Turner.

With the first person narration coming from the two main characters, the style takes a little while to get used to but overall it is an easy read and perfect for a holiday in Cornwall or just for a bit of chill out ‘me’ time. The door has been left open for a follow up and on the basis of this one, I’ll be keen to read some more.

Talking of books, I was delighted to give a recent talk at St Just Library and to get my publications onto the library shelves, nifty plastic protective covers and Cornwall County Council inner stamps included! Never mind all those TV production credits, and the newspaper/magazine bylines – having your own books in the library does trump it all.

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Cornwall Motor Home travel; Michelle Obama and books re-launch

Blame it on the rain.

There is no getting away from it, Moho travel and relentless rain do not go together – hence the gap from my last blog post. As soon as we got a break from the rain we were off, this time staying in Cornwall with trips to the fishing villages of Polperro and Mevagissey.

As a test of winter resilience, we opted for parking without an electric hook up and just rocked up to the main car parks at both places. Not that we were slumming it with gas heating and use of our own roomy shower! Polperro was the more expensive place costing £25 for a 24 hour stay whereas Mevagissey was less than half that price.

At this time of year, both locations were quiet and we were able to choose our own spots with just a short stroll into the respective villages. Polperro is one of those scenic places loved by tourists, yet still manages to keep an authenticity despite the hordes of visitors who flock at the height of summer. Yes there are the mandatory gift shops – but not too many – and we had a great lunch at ‘The Three Pilchards’ pub where the staff were friendly both to us and our pooch Bonnie.

A doggy welcome always a bonus!

Polperro

Mevagissey is a bigger and busier port, more ‘touristy’ but like Polperro still retains a strong sense of community. The main car park is a family run place and good value for an overnight Moho stay. We found a level spot (no stabilisers needed!) and can recommend the ‘Sharksfin’ restaurant for great seafood, wine and that all important dog friendliness.

My ‘on the go’ book for this trip was Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’, covering her childhood growing up in Chicago, her journey from a secure, loving but relatively poor working class-family, to studying law at the Ivy League Princeton University.

She went on to have a stellar career both as a lawyer and in the public sector, meeting her future husband, Barack, when she was assigned as his mentor at the Chicago law firm where she got her first job.

The rest is history. She became America’s First Lady after Barack won two terms as the US President and during that time Michelle made her own mark especially in the fields of childhood well-being and nutrition.

What comes over most is her honesty about her struggles adjusting to the relentless public scrutiny, especially with two young daughters, and the constant monitoring from close protection staff. She writes candidly about the attempts to retain some sort of individual and family normalacy in a situation which is far from normal.

I loved the book both for its humanity, humour and her willingness to open up about the one thing that affects many people from working-class backgrounds who smash the ‘class ceiling’ and enter the highly competitive professions.

That niggling inner voice sometimes saying ‘not enough’. In other words the imposter syndrome that many people, especially women, feel when they have stepped outside the confines of the social groups they were born into.

Michelle certainly is enough and more. It is no surprise that ‘Becoming’ has resonated with so many and that she is an inspiration to those young people who see her as a fantastic role model. It is a book that stays with you long after you have finished reading it and the writing is good too.

While on the subject of books, in the new year I will be re-launching the ‘Dilemma Novella’ series, (I haven’t done any significant marketing for a long time and it shows!), along with a new compilation of short stories. In preparation there is a batch of nifty bookmarks designed by Spencer Smart and they will come in handy as I’ve just been invited to give a talk at a local library. Some radio advertisements are planned too, with input from a clever copywriter. So watch this space.

Bookmarks delivery

Finally, as it is nearly Christmas, here is a festive photo to be going on with and hope 2020 proves a great year for you all.

As the Irish say, Slainte!

The post Cornwall Motor Home travel; Michelle Obama and books re-launch appeared first on Maggie Fogarty.