Something to look forward to …

Isn’t the weather just bloody? I don’t know whether it’s good or bad for this time of year, but apart from three of four days it feels as though we’ve been under the clouds since November. As you know, the good news is we’re out of here on Tuesday skiing. Between now and then I would say the weather can do its worst, but we’re off to a wedding on Saturday in Devon. Bless them … it’s not going to be much fun if it hoofs it down.

Happy Valentine’s!

Just as I was beginning to feel that my writing days were coming to an end (we’ve spoken about this) with my foray into Amazon Ads hardly delivering anything helpful, on Monday an opportunity comes my way. An army pal of mine has Parkinson’s. He’s been suffering with the disease for 10 years. In order to raise awareness (and some cash for charity), prior to Covid with huge courage he set off to drive from London to Cape Town, down the west coast of Africa. He made it as far as Sierra Leone before Covid scuppered his plans. At that point he left his camper in Freetown and flew home. Anyhow, he now intends to complete the journey starting next month. This time he goes with a much wider audience and a film maker in tow. By way of introduction you might like to look at the video which has been made here: https://vimeo.com/654973780/a496706ead.

How does this involve me? Well, he phoned me on Monday after advice for writing a book about his journey (Parkinson’s means he doesn’t have the motor skills to type). The long and the short outcome of our conversation was that I agreed to ghostwrite his story. I have book 8 in the Sam Green series to publish by the summer, but then I was considering what to do next. This – ghostwriting for my pal – is a perfect tonic. There’s no fee (it’s all for charity) but it might involve some travelling, which is right up my street. And I always had an ambition to pen something travelesque – and I’d hope this would be a sort of Bill Bryson does Africa with Parkinson’s. Perfect. My pal, his film maker and I are meeting up to discuss strategy on Friday. I’ll keep you up to date.

For completeness, the car wouldn’t start when we got back on Sunday. The battery is kept full with a solar panel, but she’s got old bones and couldn’t be bothered. Anyhow, she started on Monday and I’ve got a new battery to put in her tomorrow. I’ve spent the last couple of days sorting out Doris, editing book 8 and doing general admin (I had to sort some complications with my small teacher’s pension, which kicks in next month when I’m 60 … God forbid).

And, finally, I think I’ve decided to cut the number of times I publish this drivel down to once a week. I’ve been at it for almost 9 years and, mostly because Covid has restricted our movement, it’s all been as dull as dishwater. So, to stop you from sighing heavily twice a week, I’m going to cut down publication so there’s less to bore you with. I will continue to use it as a diary, and I will continue to bleat about politics when my frustration levels are high. But you will be blessed by having to read less of C and I’s adventures. I think it’s for the best.

In the meantime, stay safe. I had a long chat with a ex-teacher pal of mine this morning. She’s tested positive for the disease on Saturday and has had a rubbish weekend with it and is still not right now. So much for enjoying half term!

this time next week?