Following a dream…
Hello! ((About time you wrote another blog. What have you been messing about at Peachy?)) I’m trying to think where I left you; oh yeah, we’d tackled the mighty Thames! ((Great to see your memory has improved – that’s sarcasm if you don’t get it Peachy!))
It’s been a busy time since I left you as I’ve ((been on multiple holidays with another coming up!)) been away to Jersey for my birthday, been to Newark for an amazing four-day book festival. Helping to organise a festival is stressful for one reason or another but the moment you arrive on location, it’s a case of having to get on with it and deal with whatever gets thrown at you. But what a great team we all made and the first time we had all been together. The location and the fact all the festival team work on different freelance projects. It’s now two days after the festival and the only things in my inbox are congratulations and can we come again emails which is wonderful.
It was so wonderful to return to Newark and felt like I’d never left and honestly, I think it’s the closest I’ve come to feeling what it’s like to be a celebrity! I literally could not go anywhere without meeting someone I knew as well as chatting to everyone involved in the festival. Even I was talked out by the time I boarded the train bound for Kings Cross to return to the boat. ((I don’t believe you Peachy – the possibly of you being talked off is about as believable as one of your novels!)) I know, Brackets but honestly. My body, brain and mouth were exhausted. ((I’m saying nothing. Nothing.))
In cruising world, we are now on the River Lea after loitering around Brentford and various locations as we’ve been doing boat jobs which should all be on YouTube. Talking of YouTube, we are having a little bit of a pause on churning out the vlogs on a Sunday as we have now cruised a full year and I now have 102,265 words to read and edit for the canal book as well as adding in all the historical information. My wonderful and talented friend Christine is working on the cover and I have a few ideas for the book launches in November – all will be revealed.
As many of you know I’m shy ((I just spat out my Pimm’s!)) and talking in front of a group of people is not my kind of thing so the thought of a book launch where I sit in front of people and talk at them is not my idea of fun so I’m going to attempt something a bit different.
In other book news I have a selection of books in a wonderful book shop in Newark called A Fine & Tiny which is run by one of my Fosseway writing pals. Martin has set this up to showcase his own publishing company but also to promote local authors. It’s located in LetsXcape Café which is a favourite café of mine in Newark right in the heart of the marketplace. They also host the Fosseway Writing Group meetings. Martin will be launching on Instagram soon, so please do give them a follow on Facebook and if local, pop in. They have some amazing books available.
Today is also our boating anniversary, this time last year we left Kings Marina after a last-minute decision in April to leave our jobs and cruise the network. I can now officially say it was the right decision and we love this life. The future finances still need to fall into place but we are booked into Saltisford Arm in Warwick for five months so we can get work there and I have a few ideas to run some writing workshops and you never know when my canal book comes out in November I might actually make some money! ((Dream on Peachy!)) The pic is us cruising past Newark Castle as we left for a life afloat.
Right, that’s it from me as I try to keep these blogs a bit shorter ((Fat chance!)). I will aim to blog monthly to keep everyone updated unless I have something to share. I have lots of plans ((One includes my merchandise which Peachy keeps promising!)) it’s on the list – I’m also creating merchandise and logos for my canal book so lots to keep me busy and a lot of work to find the best places to create and sell the merchandise.
I hope everyone is well and I will aim to chat again at the beginning of August and maybe a couple of blogs along the way depending on what’s happening.
Take care… until next time. x
