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The People's Friend - Royal Pier Southampton

Back in May I had two pieces in successive copies of The People's Friend. On the old site someone suggested I post one of them for those who didn't see a copy but it has taken until now to track the originals down. A change of computers since submission caused the confusion.   When my son read the published piece his only comment was, "Pity about the typo." I am delighted to say that on reading the original the error was not mine so thoughts of his mother becoming senile are grossly exaggerated. I'll put the solution at the end for those who read the magazine and missed it as several other people had done before my son pointed it out.   "Ahoy There!" - The People's Friend (9-5-2009)     A popular treat during our summer holidays with relatives was to spend a day on the Royal Pier at Southampton. Unlike many seaside resort piers the Royal Pier was not a scene of arcade attractions. In the fifties and sixties you could always be sure of seeing plenty of shipping movements as the great ocean liners visited the port.   The pier itself had many attractions, as there was a small shop, a cafeteria, from which a tray of tea could be taken out if required, and plenty of seating. For adults, the Mecca Ballroom housed in the Pier Pavilion, was a popular venue. A line of shelters ran down the centre of the pier forming a wind break on blustery days. The curved cast-iron seats that lined both sides of the pier made a great base from which to set off on our explorations. Whilst our mother and aunt chatted, read and maybe did their knitting we were free to roam so long as we remained in sight.   The planks of the pier had quite large cracks between allowing the movement of the water to be observed. Sometimes there was debris from the ships being floated through the stanchions but more often than not there was simply the gentle lapping of water against the uprights as the tide ebbed and flowed. We held tightly to any pocket money we had taken along as the cracks were large enough to swallow most coins.   From the end of the pier you may see fishermen with their rods and lines patiently awaiting a bite. I don’t know how successful they were but do recall on one occasion, whilst we were kneeling up on the seats to get a better view over Southampton Water, that we saw a whole mass of jellyfish pass under the pier. Like a bizarre game of Pooh sticks we rushed to the other side to see them emerge. We could see their tentacles and saw how the bell filled propelling them along. We noted four small circles on the bell. The jellyfish swam just below the surface of the murky water that shone rainbow colours with the oil that had been spilled and one wonders just how healthy it was for them. However, wild life was not our objective.   The daily local paper, the Southern Evening Echo, printed lists of ships arriving or departing the next day in their diary section. We knew you could generally see a Cunard liner, either the Queen Elizabeth or Queen Mary (the originals) on a Monday or a Thursday, as these were their arrival and departure days. Other ships were less predictable. Sometimes we saw a ship called the America that had distinctive, finned funnels, and you may see a Union-Castle ship on its way either to or from South Africa. These ships docked in the New Dock area and, as they had to pass the end of the pier, you had a better look at them. I recall the Edinburgh Castle and Pendennis Castle amongst others. The hull was a pleasant shade of lilac with white superstructure.   The Cunard liners, which docked at the Ocean Terminal, did not come up as far as the pier itself. The deep water channel was marked with a string of buoys, though, and you had a good view of the tugs turning the mighty ships to enter the dock itself. For this they had to overrun the dock and then turn in. There were generally four tugs involved with two pushing and two pulling at any one time. These manoeuvres took quite a while and must have been a poignant time for passengers as the end was so close yet tantalisingly slow.   Occasionally, if we were very fortunate, we were taken on a harbour cruise that took you close up to the side of some of the liners and made you really appreciate their massive size. The tiny trip boats bobbed up and down even in the comparative calm of the docks and the splendour of those liners was somewhat overpowered by the stench of oil that surrounded them at sea level. Long streaks of rust could be seen below the many pipes that lead from the side and to some extent the ships lost their impressiveness with this display of vulnerability to the elements. I remember making one trip around dusk and the sight of the massive liners all lit up was quite magical.   Besides the great ocean liners there was plenty of other marine activity to keep us occupied. The regular Red Funnel ferries to the Isle of Wight left from alongside the pier and there were cargo vessels and oil tankers as the huge Fawley oil refinery was on the opposite bank. Early on an occasional flying boat was seen in action although most of the time these were at anchor in Southampton Water and on the pier itself a Supermarine Seaplane was displayed. This forerunner of the Spitfire had broken the World Air Speed record over Southampton Water in 1931.   The pier shop sold postcards of the most frequent visitors to Southampton and we often purchased one if we had seen a different ship. Such simple pleasures seemed to satisfy us then. We always took a picnic of sandwiches and cakes and crisps but tea was purchased from the cafeteria as and when required, which seemed quite often in the case of the adults.   On one memorable occasion the Royal Yacht Britannia came into port and the pier was quite crowded on her arrival and departure days. The demand for harbour trips was high but we managed to reach the front of the queue eventually and we were part of a flotilla of boats following at a distance as she left port. Even though we couldn’t get as close as usual to the boats that day it was a wonderful trip.   At the end of the day everything had to be packed up into the bags and, after a last ice cream, we set off to catch a bus back to our grandmother’s house.         (And the typo? Apparently they thought finned Tunnels rather than Funnels adorned the ship.)

Decision made

What to write? I had asked myself and now my decision has been made for me. The photographs from our holiday a couple of weeks ago, once viewed as a whole, had thrown up three possible topics. Whilst researching one I decided to query a magazine to see if they would be interested to see a piece based on the photos. As someone new to them I was not surprised to be asked to send some samples - this request came by return of email.   I selected some shots and emailed low res versions and again by return I was asked to send an article on spec - again not unexpected from a new market but the speed of reply was.   Now that I have a market clearly in mind - the main stipulation of the editor being that the article should be colourful as it is for a winter edition and the magazine is picture-lead - I can work on a first draft and see what further research is needed. I know I need to check the names of some of the churches for example.   This does not mean that the other topics are abandoned, simply put on hold until this one is completed. And I didn't have to make the dreaded decision for myself. I now have a deadline which always helps me to be motivated to write.   What has surprised me has been the speed of the response. I have pieces of work I have sent out to magazines months ago that have yet to receive a response. I have sent half a dozen other queries to various magazines that have yet to receive a reply. Other articles have been retained for possible use for months and even years. There really is no telling what will just click with an editor I suppose.   Anyway, must get checking those church dedications and make a start on the writing. I have a deadline to meet.

Assessing the situation

OK. Four weeks after returning from our unexpected Devon break I have shipped off the article I was asked to submit after an editor had seen the pictures. In theory with the visit still so fresh in my mind this should have made it easy but in fact I kept finding myself writing too much detail for popular consumption. When research is fresh in my mind I always want to include so much more than is necessary instead of paring the detail down to the bare bones. This was apparent when the first draft was 1800 words and the top limit was 1200.   Having edited that version down to size I was not certain it fitted the magazine and so I set out on a totally different tack and produced another article, this time only 100 words over limit so much easier to edit and that is what I have sent. Was the first piece a waste of time? I don't think so. I probably needed to write all that information out of my system and now I have distilled it all again. It was easier to write and I hope easier to read.   So what next? Reading a number of other posts I see many people have had success resurrecting older pieces of work and submitting to new markets. I have a number of such pieces. Some were straight rejections but others were written for markets that then disappeared and one item was praised highly by an editor who pointed out that much as he would like to use it I had included references to places in counties outside their area. Bad market research on my part but he did take a couple of other items I had suggested so if nothing else I had proved I could write in their style! Now two magazines have amalgamated and guess what, they unite all the areas included in that piece so maybe I should resurrect that one, dust it off and check for any editing needed. I am very keen on recycling after all.

Building the holiday fund

In the end I submitted both versions of the article to the editor as they took very different approaches to the subject. Yesterday I heard back with a request for the pictures to accompany the first article I had written, the one I thought felt over-researched. I could have saved myself the trouble of writing another full article but then again it was all good practice. Perhaps in future I should have greater faith in myself though.   The editor wanted the photos on a CD. It is a long time since I have written anything to a CD as I use an external hard drive for back-up. I gathered all photos into a file and then went to search for a CD. Tidied the study a while ago and they had been put in a safe place. Once tracked down it wasn't too much hassle transferring things. Index provided as requested and covering letter written and there was certainly no time left for more writing. Posted it all off this morning so now look to hear more when it reaches print in "an autumn or winter edition."   Now time to consider finding some new homes for items I have on file. Meanwhile my OH is considering other locations for us to holiday. After all there are many local and county magazines needing material and every contribution to the holiday fund is most acceptable

Free Mags as markets

In the past week I have received copies of a couple of magazines containing articles I have written. The pieces were of similar length but on different topics. Both magazines are distributed free of charge within different areas of the country but there the similarity ends. In one case the article was published for no fee but does carry my name so can be used as an addition to my writing CV whilst the other piece has netted me my highest fee to date.   Looking back over the past couple of years during which I have seriously increased the number of submissions I have made I note that around a third of published items have been to titles distributed in this way and not generally available in newsagents. More than half of the items published by this type of market have been paid for but the others have all had the advantage of adding to my CV and in many cases can be accessed online as well allowing me to post links to them on my website. In a couple of instances I was writing on a new subject area so had the chance to try my hand without risk.   When approaching new editors I include a link to my website and they can read the material there saving me the need to send samples of my work when requested and even the unpaid for items serve that purpose. There is no distinction between paid and unpaid articles when listing published work. I wouldn't like to suggest writing entirely for non-paying markets but they help to build the CV quickly and on the whole material reaches publication more quickly. After all one paying market has held onto my work for almost four years now and another for a couple of years. I may see the work in print someday and receive recompense but meantime I do not even have an entry for my CV for my time and effort.

Competition

I have been writing articles for a number of years now although it is only recently that I have made a real effort to get things published. Most of the articles resulted from the photographs we enjoy taking as we travel around of items that are now disappearing yet were common in our childhood and beyond. I generally take the photos whilst OH does the driving and is a dab hand at finding a suitable parking spot at short notice when something is spied en route. (I only realised how good he was at this when out driving with our son. I spotted a suitable photo opportunity and he found the nearest parking place. We spent a week with him driving and I must have walked miles tracking back to take the shot and catching up again. He hadn't got the knack even by the end of the week.)   In August OH said he had an idea for an article. He sat down and wrote it out and was going to just leave it at that. Persuaded to type it out and submit it to Best of British he took it with a pinch of salt when they said they had retained it for possible publication and could they please have the photos. After all, he knew that although I have had three pieces published by them in the past they have been holding five of my articles for several years now. Anyway, photos were duly despatched.   Saturday he had a letter to say his article is in the October issue. Today our copy arrived - we are subscribers. Contributors can buy copies for £2 but there are no freebie contributor copies. He seems moderately pleased with himself as indeed he should be but whether he will put pen to paper again it remains to be seen. I think this is certainly the shortest turn round I have ever heard of with this magazine. Generally it's a case of patience being a virtue with them.

To query or not to query...

Last week we had the decorators tackling the exterior wood stain on the house. It was not conducive to writing. You never knew which window they would appear at next and with all the doors and windows open wide papers would not stay still. There was also the added distraction of constant requests for tea and coffee. Not that I begrudged them that. They have done an excellent job. I did however manage to send out a couple of queries to magazines to see if they had guidelines for those submitting work.   Setting out today to make a start on some new writing based on recent travels I looked to see if I had any replies. I had queried two magazines. Each is a county magazine and it is not always clear if they accept freelance material. In the past I have gritted my teeth, written an article and emailed it if an address appears on the website. Recent rapping of knuckles for emailing a piece where only paper copies are now accepted made me wary, hence the query letters. I have also been caught out sending an idea to a magazine and receiving an enthusiastic reply from the editor who then pointed out the magazine did not pay for contributions.   One magazine has replied. Apparently if I had clicked on four different links, none of which mentioned contact or freelance or copy or any other recognisable link for contributions, I would have found the guidelines. Having read them I see it suggests sending ideas before writing the article. Now, the editor could save valuable time by having guidelines readily available on the site or a clear indication that they exist. Having now wasted some of her valuable time replying to my first query I now have to wait for a second time to see if the idea appeals.   There is no reply yet from the other magazine but that does not surprise me. I know from actually visiting the offices of our local magazine that there are just the two of them and even they do not work full time in the office. However, once again valuable time could be saved if it was clear whether freelance material is used.   Maybe I should have stuck with just sending material on spec and hoping for the best. After all, it has worked in the past. I was just trying to do what the books say but it seems editors, like babies, have not read the manual!

The muse returns

Thanks to all the help and advice I received yesterday I have found myself back on track with the writing today. Challenge and Writelinkers magazine items sorted and have just sent off a tip to a magazine having taken the photos for it last night. With those out of the way I think I should be able to move on and finish off some of the other pieces of work in progress. I seem to have started a lot of different projects recently but not submitted anything and that was the hold up.   I find myself using the camera so much more these days. I took it with me when we went shopping this afternoon. We drive past a tree which I had taken to be a crab-apple tree when it was in bloom in the spring and it is now a mass of fruit. The fruits are deep red, however, and most crab apples round here are a golden yellow. Closer inspection shows this is a wild cherry tree and the branches are weighed down with the fruit. No doubt the birds will make short work of it come some bad weather but at present the leaves are still green and the fruit firmly attached despite the strong winds of late. It goes to show we really do need to get out and look more closely at our surroundings. Children notice these details but as adults we are more likely to be looking to the bigger picture all the time.

Taking stock

Having now completed the family round and returned from visiting our son I thought it was time to take stock of things from the past year. Checking my list of queries and submissions I was surprised to see how many were unresolved.   A number of queries with outline ideas have received no reply. Several articles have been submitted but again have received no reply and there is at least one outstanding payment – from August. I am also a little disappointed when I see how many or maybe I should say how few items I actually brought to a conclusion myself and submitted in the past year.   Looking at the list I see I work in fits and starts with maybe two or three items (mainly fillers) in a week and then maybe a couple of months before any thing is sent off at all. Once again I think I need to make one of my now (family) famed lists and see if I can increase the output this year.   For the last couple of years I have set out a table with a couple of topics for each month I think I could write up and magazines for which I think they would be suited. I generally have a go at writing something on the topic to see I have enough material and to identify any extra research and then  query the magazine if that is the approach they ask for or simply complete several drafts and submit an article if it is a magazine I have already written for or if their guidelines suggest this method.   Although I have written such a list each year for a while, however, this rarely reflects what I end up writing or (hopefully) have published. Last year for example I wrote one article directly after return from an unplanned holiday. From booking the holiday to the acceptance of the article took less than six weeks. A couple of other items that were published were written, submitted and accepted in an even shorter time span. So why bother with this list? It gives me something to cling onto when I cannot think what to write about. I know there are articles I could be writing but maybe something else - a competition for example - is more pressing. It is my equivalent of the comfort blanket our grandson employs and I don't think I'll give it up just yet.

Snowdrops

Over the past few years I have tried to photograph wild flowers in season and one of the first to show is the snowdrop. Often out during January in favourable spots, February and early March are usually the time to go looking for them. Their appearance was widely regarded in the past as a symbol of hope that the spring would come again after the harshness of winter.   I soon realised that they were a common sight in churchyards and this may be explained by their use during the celebration of Candlemas on February 2nd.  Candelmas was the feast of Purification of the Virgin Mary, being forty days after Christ's birth. Snowdrops, with their heads lowered as if in humility, were an appropriate symbol and this tiny lily was planted in churchyards. Many of the mass displays that can be enjoyed today are at the site of former Abbeys and monastic houses such as the National Trust's Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire and Walsingham Abbey in Norfolk. Many places now organise snowdrop walks so it is worth checking out your local paper for details over the coming weeks.   To date I have photographed the snowdrops around this date in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Wiltshire but would love to know just how widely spread the appearance of this flower is by Candlemas.

Pound a word

Pleasant surprise this morning when the postman brought a letter containing a cheque for £25. Eventually worked out it was for a tip I had submitted to a magazine - but which tip?   At the end of last year I found I was writing several different articles at once but did not feel any were ready to be actually submitted. In an endeavour to send at least something out into the wide world I submitted a number of reader letters and tips. Several received "thanks but no thanks" responses quite quickly but a number were outstanding. The magazine involved here was one of those. However, when I looked back at my writing record for last year I discovered I had sent them three tips during the course of the year so couldn't be sure which one they had used. Fortunately I remembered they put some tips online and I tracked it down there. It had appeared in a magazine for mid January and even if I had known it was there the snow would have prevented my seeing a copy. At least I know not to send that anywhere else now. Would have been tricky if I couldn't find which one it was though.   And the tip? Well, whilst making Christmas decorations I discovered I was out of fine wire for attaching fircones and baubles to a Christmas wreath. Then I spotted the wire "cage" from a bottle of wine we had shared the night before and painstakingly unwound the wire and used that. A quick photo, and widening its use to flower arranging and crafts in general, and I emailed the idea off.   Anyway, a pound a word - or at least that is what they printed as they omitted my remark that it was fun to drink the wine first, too! If only the articles could attract such a rate.

Keeping track of your little treasures.

I thought I did pretty well for keeping track of writing sent out. It is not as though I have reams of the stuff out there at any one time. I have a spreadsheet to list each item as it is sent and I also list things by magazine titles so I thought I was OK.   When OH was looking at my latest piece in print he asked what had become of the article I wrote after our holiday last summer for one of the regional titles. The editor had mentioned using it during the winter and requested colourful photographs should be sent for this reason and I suppose winter could be said to be almost at an end. I checked their website to see when the March issue was due out and then discovered they have added a facility to view back copies on line. And there it was. My article. In one of the autumn issues.   A few emails back and forth and the necessary forms have been signed, sorted and posted and a copy of the magazine has been found so I don't have to print a copy of the finished piece. It seems an email requesting the details was sent but it either disappeared into the ether, the spam box or simply got deleted in error. Whatever the reason I shall certainly be keeping a closer eye on progress in future. A case of the curse and the blessing of technology.   Anyway, it is nice to relive our summer break through the pages of the magazine and having a hard copy means I can now examine a copy in detail. You never know, we may visit the area again and come up with a new idea for this market.

Compton Verney art gallery

Yesterday we embarked on a trip to visit Compton Verney in Warwickshire, a country house that now houses an art gallery and holds exhibitions, courses and talks. True to form it ended up as a pootle. When your route takes you past the site of the Battle of Edgehill you have to search for the monument to the event don't you. Well you do if that is one of the topics you tend to write about. Then there were the villages with their churches and monuments, pumps and wells. Anyway, we ended up arriving in time for a quick lunch and then a tour of the galleries.   The current exhibition is about the works of Francis Bacon, an artist I find hard to appreciate, and I have to say we both found the permanent exhibitions of more interest. The first room houses pictures by a number of artists with Vesuvius featured in every painting. Seeing the different ways in which artists had interpreted a common theme was fascinating. However it was the top floor with its collection of British Folk Art objects that grabbed the attention.   Inn Signs and Trade Signs are just two of my favourite photography themes and we were delighted to come across some very old carved 3D inn signs and a whole range of Trade Signs, too. Talking to the room guide - always a bonus to be picked up by picking their brains - we learned more about not only the objects on display but background stories and items gleaned from talking to other visitors. Sadly photography is not allowed and I had committed the cardinal sin of forgetting to take my notebook into the galleries with me so I have been frantically trying to recall all the gems we heard. Certainly some of the signs were much older than we would have given credit for.   I have to admit to being somewhat dependent on my camera for recording things we find on our travels but a notebook comes a very close second in aiding the memory. Now all I have to do is to think how these latest titbits fit into my overall research of these topics.

Things are looking up

Things are looking up once more on the writing front. After the return of a number of long retained items recently and deathly silence from editors I had queried regarding articles it was good to be asked to write another article for a parenting mag and to see it in print in the sample copy sent last week.   Back in the cold and snowy weather I decided to look around the house for possible subjects for articles. I chose a number of items and wrote about their history within the family as much to keep my hand in as with a view to publication. I had noticed a number of people here have submitted to Ireland's Own but never having set foot in the country I didn't consider that as a market - until I spotted a peat turf, brought back by a relative from a trip nearly fifty years ago. This had served its purpose as a talking point in lessons for at least two generations and has for the past decade or more simply stood on a shelf. I wrote a piece, submitted it by email and heard nothing more until a copy of the magazine arrived in the morning post containing the article.   I have no idea if this will attract a fee at all as I had no acknowledgment from the editor but it is good to see that something that helped pass the time during some really appalling weather should have found a home.

Sales success of a different sort

Still haven't visited the sales this year but they continue to make their mark on others. Family members have shared their successes in the field and I have had a success of a different kind. The current issue of Best of British uses a piece I submitted this time last year (when sales shopping was fresh in the mind) comparing the sales of my childhood with those of today. A long time to wait for publication? Not really and especially not in the history of this piece.   The writing on sales began with a listing session around six years ago. I was making a list of things that had changed since my childhood. (You don't need to be that old to try this as things change so rapidly now. Indeed when I worked in primary schools our leavers  wrote of their time in the school and often mentioned changes that had occured in that time.) Anyway, after listing twenty items I picked three to develop into lists of their own giving the bare bones of an article on each and then chose one to write up as a completed article.   The article was submitted to a magazine whose editor retained it for possible use and then sat on it for three years before sending it back. When B of B asked for personal stories of sales shoping I dug it out and rewrote it more to their style and sent it off. The editor asked to keep it for possible publication and I know from experience that this publication also returns some material after some time  so apart from being recorded as work sent out I forgot about it until the latest magazine turned up on Saturday. A good end to the year or an inspiration for the coming one? A bit of both I suppose. Maybe I should dig out some more of those lists.

Close to home

It is a sad fact we are probably more familiar with places we have visited on holiday than our own locality. A few years back I sent a letter to a local paper asking for readers' help with a topic I was researching. The editor was intrigued and in turn interviewed me for his paper. When he discovered some of the topics we enjoy searching out he asked if I had taken any shots of an example in a town less than ten miles away and I had to admit I had not.   With this in mind we have been visiting local towns on Sundays. Why Sundays? Two reasons. In our area parking charges are quite high but many places do not make a charge on a Sunday. More importantly there are less people about and I am far more likely to be able to take the photographs I want without waiting for people to pass. This was something we initially discovered when visiting towns and cities on holidays. Sundays were easier for negotiating unfamiliar streets and strange road layouts, too.   This is proving very useful. I already have enough pictures to support articles on a couple of my favourite topics. Having had a few pieces published by a couple of local magazines I needed new articles to pitch to the editors who are now familiar with my work and I often find the pictures throw up the themes. Admittedly a few places were not open so return visits will be needed but by taking the photos while I could easily do so I have much reduced the time we will need to spend on subsequent visits.   There has also been another benefit. People seem more relaxed and several have stopped to chat and have passed on local knowledge leading us to make more discoveries we may never have made on our own. All in all this is proving to be an excellent strategy.

A fresh look

Had intended being on holiday this week but have ended up pootling locally and enjoying another short break in the New Forest. We were there around this time last year so it was interesting to make comparisons. Although technically a fortnight later the trees are not as advanced and the wild flowers not as prolific but the ponies were as much in evidence as ever and we did come across one mare with her very gangly new foal. The ponies still have their rather rough winter coat in the main and were often seen nibbling their backs and rubbing against trees. We also saw deer from the deer viewing platform set up in the area where wardens regularly feed to roe deer.   Over the past few years facilities for visitors have improved dramatically with way marked walks, set areas for barbecues, building camps with fallen timber and a host of ideas for people of all ages being established. One sad thing was to see the recently developed Tall Trees Trail fenced off. This level walk through an arboretum in the north west of the forest had been designed for those in wheelchairs or people with young children or buggies to enjoy. It took in the tallest, widest and straightest trees and had information boards for adults and children to follow. Unfortunately when the arboretum was set up rhododendrons were fashionable and they have now had to be cleared for the effect they are having on the Oak trees in the area. The trees are subject to Sudden Oak Death as a result. Although a new route has been laid out this avoids three of the five major attractions. A shorter route is the senses walk with examples of trees that can be touched, smelt and even listened to. Great fun.   Surprisingly I took few photos although anyone looking at those I did take would probably be very puzzled as several involved litter of various types. Even in this beautiful part of the country people cannot be bothered to take home their rubbish and cans, bottles and plastic remain as an eyesore and even worse as a hazard to the wild life. Seeing this brought on thoughts for an article, hence the pictures. Thank goodness with digital you no longer send things off to be printed. I cannot imagine what thoughts might go through the heads of processors if they saw some of the shots I choose to take!   There was even inspiration at the hotel. Not only did the guests themselves provide several opportunities for people watching with some interesting results but the hotel room contained a copy of the local county magazine so I was able to do market research after dinner. Arrived home too late to take part in the Chat session last night. However, on checking emails I found a request to provide an article for a magazine I wrote for last year. In the words of an old Royal Mail advert, the editor stated “I have a slot free in our summer issue and wanted a piece on helping children with number and I thought of you.”

Hidden Treasures

At the end of last week we set off for one of our short breaks. Originally only booked for one night but the hotel was ideally situated and the weather promised to remain fine so we stayed over another night. Came back all inspired to write and share with others and found the site unavailable. I wish I could say I have spent the time normally occupied with viewing the site doing some usefull writing but it would not be true although I have carried out a lot of research based on our trip.   Had intended taking a break in East Anglia but clearly so had a lot of people and the places we aimed to stay had no vacancies. Headed instead for the Herefordshire/Welsh border and unearthed a wealth of treasures. These included not only places but also people, all willing to talk and share their time.   This is Kilvert country and we visited many of the churches with which he was associated as well as admiring the beautiful countryside he had roamed. There were villages and scattered buildings that had probably changed very little in the intervening years at least in terms of size and structure.   Hay on Wye got a short visit and yes, we did check out some of the bookshops although surprisingly for us we didn't actually make any purchases. Walking country footpaths, talking to the people who knew them and had known them all their lives, we learned a great deal.   Even the hotel had its story to add. An old coaching inn it was bound to have an interesting past and it didn't disappoint.   Finally we drove back via the Golden Valley with all the delights that offered. A truly beautiful part of the world and one that is largely unspoiled. Needless to say the list of possible articles to stem from even a short stay is growing daily. We set off with nothing in view to visit as we had planned a trip in quite another area so everything we found was pure serendipity and it really does work.    (No pictures at present. Imaging software is on main computer which crashed this morning!)

Nothing ventured

I spent much of yesterday afternoon checking facts and trying to get background to some themes I was thinking of writing about after our recent Devon trip. I was going well apart from one thing. I was trying to date a feature and was having no luck.   Eventually I found a firm repairing these features so decided to contact them. I received an immediate reply. If I sent a few of my photos they would be able to help me. I sent a sample as I thought maybe they were trying to assess the genuineness of my enquiry - I had after all used their contact us for a quote route. When I logged on this morning, there was their reply.   Each photo was given a description with information as to how the feature was produced. In my ignorance all the examples were the same construction but I was clearly wrong. Not only were the materials used varied but comments were made regarding the quality of the products too!   I never cease to be amazed by the help I receive when sending queries and the generosity of complete strangers.

Well Spotted

Research is usually something I do for myself. All sorts of things may set us off on a new tack – an article read, a piece on TV or something we spot on our travels. If it intrigues and we want to know more I’ll spend hours on the research – it is why I get little actual writing done – and I am fortunate that OH also enjoys our “treasure hunts.” However, I recently had some research done for me as someone contacted me through my website with a sighting of one of our “treasure” items.   I have had a website for a year, now. I’d never intended anything like this but I won a year of web hosting and it seemed a shame to waste it. As mentioned before I am not really into technology but my son offered to give it a go, especially as up to 3 sites could be hosted so he could set up one of his own.   My writing interest really grew out of my interest in taking photos. Originally taking slides to illustrate talks, I soon found it  less stressful and reached a much wider audience  writing articles. Naturally I included photos on the website – after all I had virtually unlimited space – and although I have had no response at all to the writing aspect of the site ( no editors begging me to provide even a filler for their magazine) I have had loads of hits on the images and a few people have made contact.   One such person last week thanked me for helping him to identify a plaque he had seen on a local building. Him, thanking me! I was delighted he bothered to tell me of his find for it was an example of a jubilee plaque of which I was unaware. It is twenty years since we started trying to track down any of these plaques remaining. An article sparked our interest as it mentioned one in our own locality. Then we saw another and a third. But wait a minute, that third one wasn’t on the list. We had spotted one of our own. Over the years, as we have travelled around on our holidays we have checked out others mentioned in the original article and discovered several by ourselves. Sadly some originally listed have disappeared, probably due to redevelopment of areas.   So, I thought, who else may be able to help? Maybe if I put a picture on my blog someone may have seen one in their locality. On my website I say they have been found in England and Wales. Thanks to my helpful researcher I can now confirm a sighting in Scotland, too.

Pootling and photographs

An overcast day made it ideal for photography yesterday. Not so good if I wanted to take views ( blue sky best in those) but for close-up photos of details like tiled doorways and signs the lack of sun casting shadows was a boon.   My husband views our trips as a sort of treasure hunt. We set out with some locations in mind but soon become side-tracked into villages, often by nothing more than the name or a sign promising an old church. Yesterday proved one of those days. In fact we despaired of ever reaching our two furthest points where we had very specific items to record – a painted wall advert glimpsed almost five years ago when we had no camera with us and an inn sign, not painted on board, but formed out of tiles.   Having walked up and down the streets of two small market towns – always go up and back, preferably returning on the opposite side of the road so as not to miss details on the sides of buildings – we fully appreciated what ribbon development meant as each was around a mile in length. With these and all the little villages that caught our eye we had just an hour left to capture our intended treasures.   The painted advert was located and we parked quite near. As I took a number of shots an elderly lady passing by commented that she was delighted someone was taking notice of the sign. She knew for a fact it had been there 54 years as she had lived there that long and she had seen it repainted a couple of times, too. Little details like that can only come from chatting to people.   Parking was trickier when it came to the inn sign so I had to trek back alone. I took a number of shots again, including several of the building and the new hanging sign alongside.   As a result of this pootle I now have pictures that fit into a number of categories with potential to illustrate several articles. One of the reasons I take several shots from slightly varied angles is to have a range to offer different editors. One may want detailed photos and another maybe a more general shot for example. The treasure hunt comes in when you think less than half the things photographed were even known to us at the start of the day and I have spent some of today researching the background to a couple of these. Now where exactly did highwaymen come into the picture?

A-Mazing

During the past week we have negotiated several mazes - in the interest of research of course. As the subject of my very first published article back in 1991 which was the Year of the Maze I have always had a soft spot for mazes and labyrinths and have enjoyed seeking out examples old and new.   Around the UK there are many ancient mazes such as the one on the green at Saffron Walden in Essex and of course the world-famous maze at Hampton Court. In fact the first is technically a labyrinth and the latter a maze. A labyrinth has a single track which does not go directly to the centre but reaches this goal providing you stick to the path. A maze has numerous routes, many ending in dead ends.   The “mazes” we came across this week were generally labyrinths despite their labels but today we encountered a real maze. The Saxon Maze at the Herb Farm at Sonning Common was designed by Adrian Fisher, probably the best known maze designer of the present day. It was one of the many mazes that were constructed in the Year of the Maze and is now fully mature and as such is more challenging than it would have been when planted with the hedges now above head height.   Mazes and labyrinths appeal to all ages it seems. The age range of those tackling this particular maze today was wide and everyone was clearly pleased when they completed the task.

Domesday - 925 years on

Domesday - 925 years on   I have just spent some time looking up various places on the BBC Domesday Reloaded site (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday">http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday</a>) and quite fascinating it has been, too. Back in 1986 there was a project aiming to make a modern Domesday survey 900 years after the original ordered by William the Conqueror. The country was divided into squares and photos could be submitted and short pieces of writing about things local communities thought would interest people in the future. Much of the writing was done by primary aged children in local schools and the one where I was teaching was involved.   It is disappointing to find that only photos appear for the area covered by our school. I know there were some problems with producing the final Survey which was to be stored on two huge disks. I believe the technology did not really take off and it is only recently that the results have been available on-line. At the time our villages were threatened by the extension to the M40 from Oxford to Birmingham and in fact the route was changed somewhat after the Survey was completed but here you can read some of the concerns of those living in its path. A similar situation is currently going on not so far away as the route for High Speed train is debated.   I have already found accounts of major cattle markets no longer trading, companies that have amalgamated or lost altogether and events that no longer take place. Considering the time scale this is quite revealing. Well worth checking out for places you know and maybe even a resource tool to consider.

It's all in the detail

Visiting Reading recently, a town we know have known for many years, I finally remembered to pop a camera in my pocket with the aim of photographing a couple of details we had noted before. I always mean to take a camera as you never know what you may see and so often the unexpected happens when you are unprepared. The shopping area was surprisingly quiet, especially as it was a sunny day, but it did make it easier to take shots almost as soon as we spotted opportunities. (Even so, we still had people ducking down in an exaggerated manner as they walked past despite the camera being aimed way above their heads!)   With old themes I like adding to the photographic collection to widen the possible outlets for articles, especially local titles. Besides topics I have researched and written about for some time, I'm always on the lookout for new themes to follow up. In recent years I have added inn signs to the list. Pubs and inns are closing at an alarming rate and generally the signs are removed when they close. These pieces of street art have long helped add character to towns and villages but many of the pubs owned by the big breweries are losing their artistic signs in favour of bland text-only boards. I suppose this is meant to make them seem more up-market but they don't have the same impact. Only slightly less exciting are the screen printed Red Lions and other popular titles that appear outside many hostelries. So, if nothing else, do record the signs adorning your local before the art form disappears completely.   One thing Reading has in abundance is buildings of the Victorian era adorned with decorative terracotta plaques and swags and swirls. It was the number of these that had prompted me to take the camera. Besides many I recalled we found a number of others, some thanks to passers by realising what the camera was trained on and adding their own suggestions. (I've mentioned before that it pays to talk - and listen.) When examined in detail, of course, it is easy to see that many of these decorative pieces are not manufactured in one piece but are made up of many moulded sections, fitted together like a jigsaw. One benefit of using a camera with a zoom lens is being able to examine these decorations in more detail and the skill involved in creating these items that are purely decorative can be appreciated better, too.   We ended our day down by the Thames at Caversham where we were entertained by swans, ducks, geese and pigeons, all looking especially fine in the late afternoon sun that brought out all the colours in their plumage. Whoever said that British Birds were dull?

Out and about

This year Hatfield House in Hertfordshire celebrates its four hundredth anniversary. Not that we were aware of this when we planned our recent visit but it did mean we saw the exhibition of Henry Moore sculptures that have been brought in for this year. Seeing them in a garden setting seemed more in keeping than in an indoor exhibition. The house is the star, of course, and with the Great Hall being almost the first room you encounter you might expect the rest to disappoint but we met so many informative guides, willing to chat and impart the little details that make the place come alive, that we found it a delight from the formal rooms right down to the basement kitchens and domestic quarters. In the kitchens we saw sample menus and admired a display of thirty odd copper kettles which we learned were used by maids to take water to the upper floors for baths. No doubt many repeat trips were necessary and the baths lukewarm on really cold days as a result. We didn't have time to explore the park on this occasion but the gardens were a pleasant place to stroll and enjoy the sunshine. We were able to view the new sundial in the Sundial garden (only formally unveiled on Thursday - and enjoy displays of herbaceous plants and herbs, water features and knot gardens before wandering out into the "Wilderness" where the majority of the sculptures were displayed. However, as is my wont, it was the details that really took my eye. . We found many examples of green men masks, both indoors and out and from different eras. Symbolism was very important to people in Tudor times and once these had been pointed out in one painting we looked for the tiny details in others. The building that Elizabeth I would have known is the Old Palace, only one range of which remains, the other three sides of the courtyard being demolished to build the new house. Re-using the bricks of course - recycling is nothing new. Close inspection shows the bricks are laid differently to a modern wall. One row shows the long side of the brick much as we lay them today but the row above shows the small end of the brick with the bulk going back into the wall. Known as English bond, this is apparently the strongest way for a laying bricks for a single wall. Our staggered brick patterns are more recent being used for double walls. Our first visit to this particular house but hopefully not our last.

Local Knowledge

On a recent visit to Upton House, a National Trust property near Banbury, we took time out to pootle through a few of the surrounding villages in search of items of interest and once again encountered the kindness of strangers when you take the time to listen. The sight of someone taking photographs not only sparks curiosity but also the desire to impart local knowledge we find.   In one village I was taking a photo of their Roll of Honour for the First World War. This was in addition to a nearby War Memorial honouring the fallen as it listed all who had served in 1914-1919. A local resident pointed out the difference between the two monuments, which we had already noted, and also told us about the memorials in the church. A book has been created giving photographs and backgrounds to almost all those mentioned on the Roll of Honour, a wonderful resource for those seeking to track down relatives who may have lived there as well as serving as a fitting tribute to their service.   A little further up the road a cattle trough with a Biblical reference above caught our eye and another resident pointed out that the street was named for the part it had played in the Civil War. The horses were mounted here before the Battle of Edgehill which took place nearby. Whilst we may have stumbled upon the records in the church it is unlikely we would have learned this second piece of local history without talking to people. Often it is little snippets like that which spark off an idea for an article. Spending time to really look around and carrying a camera often pays dividends.

Procrastinating and writing

Why is it that when I have plenty of time I never seem to achieve much on the writing front but as soon as I have a busy day I manage to slip in an hour of writing and feel I have really achieved something?   Yesterday the whole day was spent at home. True there were tasks to do in the house and some gardening urgently required after our recent break but otherwise there were no pressing needs and I should have been able to get down to some serious writing either about our discoveries on holiday or on a topic already researched. I did do some research - the best part of writing I sometimes feel -  but I did no original writing at all, apart from compose a few emails.   Today, however, there was a shopping trip for groceries, a visit to the garage about the car and other tasks to fulfil. Back home yesterday's washing needed ironing and there is a meal to cook for this evening yet I have written an article from scratch, edited another for submission and written a letter to a magazine about an article I had read. The day is no longer yet the time has been filled several times over compared to yesterday. Maybe this is where the idea comes from that if you want something doing you should ask a busy person. Once fired up to do things we can keep the momentum going, it is the getting started that takes the effort.

Short and sweet

At the beginning of the week I read about a magazine that was looking for submissions on green living issues amongst other topics. I thought a topic I had recently written about could be reworked with a green twist and decided to contact the editor. Having worked on the query letter I went to the magazine website to check details and found the magazine had now merged with another title under the editor for that magazine. It didn't sound promising but decided to query the new editor anyway.   This morning I received the expected reply (at least the editor bothered to reply which was encouraging). The merged titles were not going to include the type of feature I envisaged. I can try to think of a new topic they may be interested in or I could look to other titles that may consider my original idea. In the current economic climate it is getting harder to find new markets or places to send items that are not of general interest. Many people who were formerly employed as staff writers on magazines are now freelancing instead.   Today, however, I intend looking back at some writing I did earlier in the week with a view to editing it and sending it out. In the past I agonised over pieces for months, changing a word here or rearranging a sentence there. Then I received a positive response to a query letter asking for a piece in just two weeks and I wrote it, edited it and sent it off within the week and it was published with no changes. Overworking material is obviously one of my hang-ups in writing. The more ideas you have, though, the less time you have for fiddling.

Writing query letters

I thought it was about time I did some actual writing today. I did manage to send off a letter to a magazine with a suggestion for content but haven't got any further with the articles I have been working on. I think I need a spur and I just hope I haven't just prompted an extra large one as I have emailed queries to three different magazines. If they were all to get back and say they were intrested I would be very busy indeed. However in all likelihood I will hear nothing at all.   Meantime I need to work on a couple of different articles - one a nostalgia item and the other a piece about an interesting custom I have been researching and now feel ready to write up. I find working on two topics at a time helps as I seem able to keep things fresh and if I get stuck, switching topics means I keep writing something at least. It also means when sending stuff out that I don't spend time waiting to see if it is coming winging back as I am busy with something else.

Surprise success

The postman has just delivered a copy of Writers' Forum for July. They run a feature called First Draft for which you are invited to take around 300 words of a published novel and introduce twenty errors for others to proof-read. I decided to give it a go one day as a bit of a challenge when my own writing wasn't going too well and it proved surpringly tricky to produce a number of different types of error into such a short passage. (I can do it easily when typing my own writing of course!) I only sent if off about six weeks ago so it made it into print really quickly. Anyway, a great start to the week and a spur to get down to some writing of my own I think.

Writing to do lists

I have always been a believer in writing lists. My Father wrote lists for everything and it is probably the first memory of writing that I have. Amongst those I best remember were the lists of people to send cards to at Christmas, the list of seeds he needed to order each year for the vegetables we all enjoyed throughout the year and the holiday list.   We didn't take holidays as such but spent time with relatives throughout the school holidays with the relatives paying reciprocal visits during term time. We travelled by bus with several changes so packing was relatively light compared to the mounds people seem to take away today. We could of course wash clothing whilst away. The packing list was set out for each person with the required numbers of socks, undergarments, tops and skirts or trousers. Night attire and spongebags completed the list. Shoes were simply the ones we were wearing plus indoor slippers.   Around the end of the year my Father would receive seed catalogues from the major suppliers of the day - Suttons, Ryders, Dobbies and so on. He would study the relative merits of new introductions and compare them with old and trusted varieties and he generally chose the latter. Lists for each catalogue were produced, the forms filled in and the cheques written. By mid February some of the seeds, such as parsnips, would already be safe in their seed beds and others were stored in the boxes in which they arrived arranged in strict sowing order.   As for the Christmas card list, the list produced for the previous year would be produced and a new copy transcribed from it removing those who were sadly deceased or with whom no contact had been made for a number of years and adding in new acquaintances and additions to the family. One evening in late November would be set aside for writing out the cards and addressing the envelopes ready to "Post Early for Christmas." I can still recall discussions as to the suitability of cards for the recipient. No single candles were sent to the recently bereaved for example and religious scenes were reserved for those known to attend church. These days people suggest the cards reflect the personality of the sender but my parents always chose with the recipient in mind and I still do this today I think.   Today I find a list helps me use my time more effectively. I tend to have a to do list of jobs that need doing. Some may only take five minutes and others a day or longer but it saves twiddling thumbs and trying to think what to do when just five minutes becomes available. I list the post when it arrives - always useful when queries arise - and keep track of appointments on a calendar list that makes arranging visits and days out much clearer. Although my family always laugh at my lists I note that both my children have whiteboards in their homes where they write up things to do and note appointments - surely lists in disguise.   When shopping I find a list invaluable in both making sure I don't forget items and keeping to the budget too. Even if the list is left on the table the fact that I have been through the cupboard and produced the list generally means I can recall what is needed. Now with my writing I find lists helpful, too. When writing an article I often make a list of the points I want to include. I can write paragraphs around each and then rearrange them if necessary and edit to blend them into a whole. If I have trouble getting started on an article I generally find this does the trick.

What to write?

Our unexpected trip to Devon resulted in several hundred digital images to index. Which topic would make a good article? Well, I have long found it helpful to look at the pictures I have taken and to let them suggest the theme. A number of groupings began to emerge when I looked at the batch of images. I had taken a significant number involving decorative tiles of some description, various wild flowers and rural scenes and quite a few photos featured the various covered markets called pannier markets that are a feature of the area. There are also photos that could be considered tourist shots. Clearly there are a number of routes to follow and each would suit a different market. I have already started the follow up research on one of these themes and have an idea for a possible market but have yet to start any writing. Am I procrastinating? I suspect so but I do like to get the facts clear in my mind before I start. Then I usually find I can write a first draft straight through without the need to check facts, something that interrupts the flow.

3 into 2 must go

OK, I finally got the draft of my article done and pressed the magic button to get a word count. 1800. That couldn't be right. I checked again and it was. Another glance at the magazine guidelines confirmed my fears. Maximum word count 1200. A whole third of my carefully drafted piece to be sacrificed.   After two hours I have it just under 1400 which is at least looking like within bounds of the possible. Didn't go well at first. I rewrote the first paragraph and ended up 14 words longer than the original. Ended up cutting out whole sections and then reducing examples used. Hopefully, as they want to use the photos I took I can include those to reintroduce those cut down in their prime.   And if I am being really honest the big problem has been too much research. Having sent emails to various people seeking clarification of some points I have had masses of information back. It needs distilling to a single simple sentence if possible and a paragraph at most.   I wonder, do others have this same problem or is it a case that I have missed my calling. Should I have been a researcher instead?

Thunder and Lightning

Today I was determined to get the first draft of my article completed come what may. I had sorted things so that very few tasks needed urgent attention but that so British exuse intervened.   Returning from shopping the heavens opened as we neared home and we were forced to sit in the car for five minute to allow it to abate. Indoors and the shopping stowed I sat down to write. A few sentences completed and then a crash of thunder and the computer shut down - the power-breaker doing its job.   After an early lunch things had cleared up so I had another go. About fifteen minutes in and the computer shut down once again.   With so many interuptions I have written 1200 words, the required amount. However, it makes little coherent sense and at least three areas I hoped to cover have yet to be mentioned. I suspect that I have included far too much of my research and not enough local examples to illustrate the item.   Let's hope we have another wet day tomorrow but without the power cuts. That way, I can write the rest of the sections I hoped to include and then make a start on editing.   One thing I am sure of, I could never actually make my living from writing. I am too interested in the research and trying to find the absolutel best time to put pen to paper or, in this case, finger to keyboard.

Contrariwise...

Contrariwise... to quote Lewis Carroll (Tweedledum or dee I believe).   Saturday I had all day free to write in perfect peace and tranquillity and managed to draft two pieces, one of only 500 words. Today I managed to write the outline notes for an article whilst waiting for OH to have a dental check-up. There was a phone constantly ringing, other people chatting and hustle and bustle from outside and I had no problem cutting myself off from it all and I am really pleased to have done so much. Maybe things can be too quiet!

An odd day

Finding it very strange as for once I have the house to myself. Our son is visiting and he and OH have gone off to an airshow leaving me with no excuse not to write non-stop and yet I am finding it very hard to do. So far I have tackled two loads of washing, vacuumed and done a host of small tasks. After that I finally got down to one of three pieces of writing I had hoped to make progress with.   Having spent the past few days trying to whittle a piece down to 500 words for a competition entry I thought it would be a doddle to write another piece on a similar theme and to the same length. Having listed the points I wished to make the article virtually wrote itself and then I checked the guidelines for the slot it was aimed at and discovered this time the limit is 400 words. Another editing session beckons.   Now I have to decide whether to continue with the editing and maybe even send the item off or to make a start on the other two pieces, all of which are on totally different themes. I think I will probably put the first piece to one side and get some ideas down for the other two. I prefer to give work time before editing anyway and if I at least make a start on the others I will have something to edit another day - you can't edit a blank page as they say. On the other hand I know that when they come through the door tonight they won't notice the pile of clean washing or the clean floor but they will want to know how many pieces of writing I have finished.

Using words

Waterstones have been running a competition but I only found out about it last night. Waterstones and Faber have brought out a book called Modern Delights where well-known people in various fields have recorded their particular delights under various headings, such as people, places, emotions and so on. The competition was to write up to 200 words describing your own delight. The difficulty was meeting the 5pm deadline tonight as we have been out most of the day.   Having given it some thought I decided to write about some particularly emotional moments brought about through music. I submitted it with half an hour to spare and have just had an email to tell me it is live and can be seen on the Waterstones site. It is under the Emotions entries and entitled Lofty Music.   For many, I know, smell, is the sense that evokes memories, but I only have to think of these three places and I can hear - even feel - the music that moved me so much. I wonder if others have sounds, particularly music, that have this powerful effect.

Cheltenham Literature Festival

Yesterday saw us at an illustrated talk given by Jeremy Paxman at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Before you query our choice of speaker I should add that the tickets were won in a competition and, as we discovered, we were even second choice for that as someone else had turned down the offer!   The talk was based on his recent television series on the Victorians where art works of the day were used to study Victorian society and trends. We had enjoyed the series and were interested to see what he could add to this and also to see where the idea had come from in the first place. It seems his interest in both art and history is purely that, an amateur interest. He has no academic axe to grind therefore when labelling much of the art work indifferent to say the least. His interest was simply in the story told.   He had arrived late not having appreciated the venue was the Racecourse and not the main Festival haunts in the town itself. From access and parking point of view this was an asset of course but not easy to travel swiftly between the two. He was slow to get under way with the talk too, often simply repeating what we had already gleaned from TV, but once launched he did indeed add value to what had been included in the TV series. Mindful of the time he cut the talk short to allow for the promised question and answer session on any subject. Here he was less sure. Initial questions on art topics showed he was indeed just an enthusiastic amateur who "knew what he liked" but went no further. Asked for his opinion on more recent matters he resorted to familiar territory using political examples and occasionally raising a laugh. In the end, and I never expected to say this, I actually felt sorry for him. He had been welcomed onto the stage by one of the sponsors and was then left alone on stage to pace up and down, gesture and so on at will. However, no one appeared to end the session. As he took several last questions he even asked who was running the show but no one appeared. Finally he made a quip in reply to a question and, when this was applauded he simply walked off. Meanwhile the audience streamed out in a manner reminiscent of the final house at the cinema when the National Anthem was to be played - now that dates me. It transpired that the next show was due to start in half an hour and we were carefully shepherded from our seats by the stewards anxious to close the doors before they re-opened for the next audience.   This wasn't our first Cheltenham experience. A couple of years ago we had tickets to see Jenny Eclair at the delightful Everyman Theatre in the town. (Yes, that was a competition win, too.) That was conducted as an interview with Jenny reading from her latest book and finally answering questions. On that occasion, with the interviewer on stage, there was no doubt when things were being drawn to a close and the audience was being ushered out for the inevitable book signing. Yesterday even that took place in a room that did not have to be accessed unless one specifically aimed for it. We were left feeling a little cheated and can only assume that Jeremy Paxman, unless he is completely thick skinned, was feeling let down too.

Challenging!

I know I am not the most technically minded person when it comes to computers but I get by. I have been coping well with this new site to date but have finally met my match.   Having taken part in the online Chat session on Monday as a first in that department I thought I would go ahead with some challenges. Attempting to make an entry into one of the current challenges I am unable to work out how to do so anonymously. I have added and deleted my entry several times  and cannot see how to change things yet other entries are going up with no problem. There are certainly some really varied and interesting items up there already.   I have also acquired an annoying little icon -  Upgrade or renew your subs here - which has to be closed before any of the other links work. I am sure that wasn't there last week either.   I shall return to sending off a few letters and tips to magazines. Those emails seem to be getting through at least and may reap some rewards. They may even set the wheels into motion for something longer. I still have a number of articles part done but just lacking the inspiration to complete and submit them.

A date for your diary

Having achieved my twin aims yesterday and completed and emailed my article in addition to making the Christmas pudding on Stir-Up Sunday I set out this morning to keep the momentum going.   Perceived wisdom suggests that a rejected item may well have a home elsewhere so I sent a tip rejected by Take a Break to Chat. I received a reply within the hour. "Unfortunately, your tip arrived too late to be considered for our Christmas issues. Due to printing schedules, if you wish to submit the item for Christmas 2010, we need to receive it by mid-August 2009 at the latest."   Although my tip could be used at Christmas it did actually have year round appeal. However it does mean I have learned something new. Writing books suggest a six week turn around for weekly magazines and up to six months for monthly titles. It seems there is a need to extend these time scales now. I realised that articles and stories that are time sensitive have these longer periods but it seems somewhat excessive for letters and tips. I thought I would pass it on, however, so that you can all put the date in your diaries - when you get the new one that is!

Taking shots

A recent TV report showed a chap who had been stopped by police for taking a photograph of a Police Station. Apparently he has an American friend interested in police memorabilia and he took the photo for him. Just the one shot, nothing more.   Taking photographs has never been easier now that we have idiot-proof digital cameras that allow almost unlimited images to be taken and stored and shared. However, in many other ways things have never been harder. We have to be sure not to include children in shots. If people are included in pictures we may want to use to illustrate articles some magazines require proof that they have all given consent yet at the same time their guidelines often stipulate the need for scenes to include the human element. Maybe they would be happy with shadows. I tend to opt for back views where possible with people walking away from the camera.   Looking back at some shots I have taken of traditional shop fronts, for example, I discover several are of old jeweller's shops and include customers entering or maybe gazing into the windows. If stopped would I have to prove I wasn't planning something more sinister perhaps. For a long time the National Trust haven't allowed internal photography in their properties. This arose from a massive burglary that took place locally and it was thought photographs taken during visits may have helped the criminals to set things up. Now many other places open to view have adopted the same policy although they do not always make it that clear and I have been caught out a couple of times and have been happy to delete the shots. Visiting the Shakespeare Houses earlier this year, however, people were blatantly ignoring the signs in every room - pictorial signs so no excuse for not being able to read them.   In the past the biggest hazard to taking photographs has been the reaction of people passing by (or worse, driving by) who seem intent on discovering what I have found to photograph. As this could be anything from a plaque on a wall, a milestone or even detail of tiling most look totally mystified. Others walk elaborately around even when the camera is pointed well above their head or rush past bent double to avoid being included in the shots. Of course there are always the ones who offer to pose and seem quite disappointed when they discover my interest is in inanimate objects on the whole.   Do others find photography more or less challenging in the current climate I wonder?

Another warning shot across the bow

Following on from my earlier post on the restrictions being placed on people with regard to taking photographs I see in today's paper another example. This time a man was stopped by police whilst taking a photograph of a cathedral. The story is covered in an editorial and Sue's points regarding taking photographs in public places was raised.   Please to say our daughter managed to take some lovely shots at a local Christmas event yesterday. If they don't feature her own children the shots are suitably fuzzy so no problems there.   I really think this issue, like political correctness, has begun to seem more like paranoia than common sense.

It's good to talk

I forget who used this phrase in a BT ad - I've a feeling it was Bob Hoskins - but it makes a good mantra for writers, too.   Visiting National Trust properties I often think how boring it must be for some of the room stewards as people hurry through with barely a glance. Many seem to actively avoid these volunteers but we have found it adds to the experience to ask questions and we have often gleaned some little gems as a result. We started doing this when the children were quite young as we found if we could interest them in a detail it generally afforded us a little time to absorb the atmosphere too. Sometimes the stewards would demonstrate something for them or tell them a story behind an object. We have continued to show an active interest and our visit at the weekend was a case in point.   In one room another couple were trying to take evasive action but the room steward stood between them and escape and pointed to some lamps in the shape of figures. They were he informed us, made from dolls used by Chinese women when visiting a doctor to show the area of pain as a physical examination was not deemed appropriate. Although already aware of such dolls we had not realised these were examples. The other couple said their son worked as a doctor and used a similar method with young children having dolls on which the children could write or draw to show where the pain was. A little gem gleaned and we, like them were about to drift on when the steward pointed out a wardrobe. "It's French," he told us. In France when a girl child was born an oak was felled for just this item and was gifted to the child when they married or at age 21, whichever came soonest. He then revealed that telling this story to some French visitors earlier in the year they were able to examine the wardrobe and tell which region it came from as each had their own pattern or motif. As the NT were unaware of this his willingness to talk had gleaned new knowledge and he was keen to pass it on.   As more and more people drifted through the room it became clear that many were not getting their full value in their visit. Over this past year alone we have heard many stories, been shown numerous artefacts and been privy to scandals that do not make the guide books. This has not just been at NT properties but anywhere we have been visiting and taking photographs. Most people are only too pleased to talk about where they live, to share a story or point out a detail you may have missed.

Snowed under

Woke yesterday to 9 inches of snow, an amount not common in Oxfordshire. Living in a village we have no hope of getting out to shops and have had no deliveries of mail etc. In fact everything is eerily quiet and peaceful. The local school is closed but the children seem to be staying indoors apart from a few using sledges to make the road treacherous! Fortunately we took the forecasters seriously when they said we would have heavy snow and stocked up so should be fine until Monday when milk may become a problem.   Ideal circumstances for writing so long as I can keep my hands warm. On Monday I decided to email a few ideas to a magazine. I was going to query a couple of other items with magazines but I am glad I didn't as I received a reply almost by return asking for one of the ideas to be expanded and sent in. They are running a feature and this would complement their piece. There is only one snag. They want photographs. OK, I have those, old black and white numbers as this is a nostalgia piece. Scanner won't work with current computer. No problem, they can be posted. Ah, but there's the rub. No postal collections either. So now I have to hope we can get to a post office by early next week at latest or it may all be in vain. And there was me thinking, "We won't be bothered by the weather. We can just stay indoors." Not too hopeful at present.

Every cloud..

..has a silver lining. The weather this past week has been unusual to say the least and the effects on everyday life throughout the country have gone a long way to explaining our obsession with the topic. However, in many ways there have been silver linings. As we did not have to get out, being retired, we decided to make the most of time to do things indoors. Sitting around means you just get cold so whilst meals cooked in the oven we started to clear out kitchen cupboards making good use of the extra heat offered. This recalled childhood winters where my mother spent as much time as possible in the kitchen in winter. Our water was heated from an Ideal boiler which had to be kept lit summer and winter.( A blessing in winter but a nightmare in summer when the sun beat down on the kitchen windows to add to the desert effect.) One task my mother always tackled in January was clearing out the kitchen cupboards. As a result we often had some unusual meals as she discovered forgotten ingredients and improvised to use them up. It was only recently I realised that I had carried on this tradition and my children somewhat dreaded what might be discovered. I used to place all discovered items in a box on the worktop and make a point of using at least one in each day's menu in order to use items up. In my own case this was as much a matter of early spring cleaning as a dislike of waste but it was only when my own children expressed their dislike of this practice that my mother revealed the real reason for her urge to get ahead in the spring cleaning stakes. My father had his December salary paid before Christmas "to help people cope with the expense of Christmas." This had the unfortunate effect of being more month than money for many in January and my mother devised her way of coping by making her improvised meals from whatever the cupboard revealed.   Another silver lining of the weather from my perspective has been the extra time I have felt able to give to writing. I managed to finish the article requested at the beginning of last week by Friday. Today a neighbour took it with her to post when she returned to work so the pictures should reach them along with the text in the next few days. I emailed to tell them it was on its way, offering to email them a copy of the text and they seem happy with what they have received there so hopefully it will get into print. If nothing else, it will show that I can produce things in a short time span and make every endeavour to get material submitted. Now all I have to do is to keep up the momentum, both in the writing and in the early spring cleaning, and the year won't have had such a bad start after all.

February already

I find it hard to believe it is February already. Have I really achieved much in a whole month? Much of the time seems to have been spent keeping warm and trying to avoid the need to go out at all. Not that we could for several days in the snow as they just didn't bother clearing minor roads at all.   By rights I should have managed lots of writing, therefore. In fact I have written and submitted two articles which is probably rather quicker than my normal rate of progress. The first was one I was asked to write following emailing some suggestions to an editor. The other resulted I suppose in part from our enforced hibernation. Sorting through some boxes I came across a few items that had been stored away. I knew that they existed and I had already had an idea for writing about them but until the booklets and pictures actually turned up there was no incentive to do so. Having located the elusive material last Monday I spent much of Tuesday on a first draft, editing a bit each day until Friday when I submitted the article. Maybe I should do some more sorting to see if I gain any more inspiration!

The waiting room

There is never a good time to visit the dentist but OH and I tend to book our check-ups and hygienist appointments at the same time so each gets to sit in the waiting room for some time. Yesterday being one such occasion I had thought to spend my time making a few notes for an article that is buzzing round in my head at present. Rather than have lots of magazines around that I could use for research our dentist has opted for coffee table books and a couple of daily papers. The books have been round a while so I glanced through the papers and came across a writing competition - or at least news of one.   Thinking this may be of interest to some members I made a few notes but I should warn you it is for people of 60+ and UK residents only. There are two separate categories. For one you need to write a piece of up to 750 words on a special event or time in your life. The other is to write a letter you wish you had written and sent and say why. This has a 500 word limit. Details are at:- bookbite.org.uk   I must say I rather miss the opportunity afforded by such visits to study magazines. Our Doctor's surgery used to be OK for this but they have now banned magazines due to the flu scare and the dentist has none so it is down to browsing in the local newsagents and buying the occasional title that seems to offer submission possibilities.

The speed of change

In the interests of creating space to accommodate visiting grandchildren, keep the study uncluttered - I wish - and generally sorting out I was persuaded to look at the boxes that hold magazines we have subscribed to over the years. One title occupied no less than four magazine files and was reduced to a single cardboard folder, usually less than four sheets per 90 page issue.   Delighted with this success OH produced the much larger number of boxes containing writing titles I have toyed with. Convinced these would prove to be invaluable and need defending at all costs I started with the earliest and settled down to be inspired.   It soon became apparent that there was in fact very little that was useful. As writing articles is my main interest, market details were as hopelessly out of date as a copy of Writers' and Artists' from almost two decades ago. Much space was given over to interviews with writers, many of whom have sadly passed away in the intervening years and a great deal more dealt with genres that were of no interest.   And then there were the features on computers. How to get the best out of your Amstrad. Indeed several competitions offered these machines as the prize. There was much discussion on how to take and submit photographs - transparencies of course. Digital images were not considered suitable for publication unless you had a professional camera.   One question and answer session considered the following. Q. Should I submit my articles on disk or as hard copy? A. Editors prefer to have a hard copy to read. One editor we interviewed actually laughed out loud at the suggestion, adding that in their office they didn't even have computers. The disks in question were of course, floppy disks - remember them? My present computer doesn't even have a slot for them and it is far from new. Clearly I needed to dispose of these dinosaurs quickly. They did after all date from 1995. Hardly historical but in terms of computer technology almost the Ice Age.   And one final thought. If I haven't looked at these magazines in the past ten years are they really of any practical use? I once read that junk is something you keep for ten years and then throw away two weeks before you find a use for it. Well, I've found a use. It gave me a subject to blog about. Now they can be recycled and put to some better purpose in their afterlife.

Mastering the technology

I have sent photographs to editors using a CD on several occasions and yet it never seems to get any easier. If I was paid by the hour to do it I would be rich. I took a series of photographs on Tuesday. (A magazine had retained an article I sent and wanted the picture ready if and when they publish.) Checking them back they were hopeless as being a dull day I had used flash and it showed.   Yesterday we had some glimpses of sunshine and each time it became bright enough I took more shots of the various artefacts and eventually got all I needed. Editing them this morning a few needed cropping but taking them in auto mode meant no other tweaking. I chose the shots, copied them to a separate file and then simply transferred that to the CD. Simple. Great. Job done. No.   I re-read the request and they wanted the index and a copy of the article on the CD. It is a long time since I have transferred text to CD - goes back to using CDs as back-up. I just could not see how to do it at all. Fortunately a visiting relative clicked a few buttons and the job was done. Leaving me none the wiser. Painstakingly I was taken through the process step by step and now I think I could do it all again if need be. As a final touch he clicked on the CD to see how much was still clear - over 90% and that will never be used as it is a write-only CD.   Hopefully having got that posted off I can now concentrate on some new writing. Although I like to keep several items on the go at once as a soon as I get asked to do something I find I cannot work on anything else until it is finished.

How is your Christmas writing coming along?

Over the past few weeks I have been gradually thinning out the stacks and boxes of magazines we have accumulated and kept "just in case." Even magazines from three or four years ago can look dated when you look at them and whilst I may be depriving future generations of copy for articles on magazines from the past - and I have had this experience myself using magazines saved for recipes or knitting patterns within the family and giving a snapshot of life of the times - we really need the space on the shelves.   In the past weeks I have moved on from magazines from our teaching days to some writing magazines from more than ten years ago. Surprisingly they do contain the odd nugget worth hanging onto but many of the markets they describe have long gone. Today, however, I came across a feature on writing for the Christmas magazines, either the December editions of regular magazines or their Christmas specials. When interviewed most editors were asking for material to be sent in by June or July at the very latest. Many monthly titles put together the bulk of their Christmas material in August.   It may be that this is slightly out of date now in the sense that publishing has changed and typesetting is not now an issue but broadly speaking it is not such a bad idea for any seasonal material to be written and even submitted during the season itself albeit a  twelvemonth from possible publication. I made notes for several articles during last Christmas but had not considered writing them up as yet but maybe I will. Many editors said it was a case of the early bird catching the worm if someone came up with a good idea however prematurely it may have been submitted.   I also think this is still current practice. At the end of October I had an idea for a tip which I felt could be used when creating Christmas decorations or for crafting generally. Two magazines rejected it, one with the comment: "Unfortunately your tip came too late to be considered for our Christmas issues. Due to printing schedules, if you wish to submit the item for Christmas 2010, we need to receive it by mid-August 2009." Whilst I think the 2009 was a mistake on their part it does show that anything with a seasonal slant, whether it is fact or fiction or even a reader's letter or tip, needs to be sent in sooner rather than later. So, how is your Christmas writing coming along?

Writing for the Impossible Market

Although I orginally started out writing about my photographs I soon found I enjoyed other sorts of writing too although all of it was safely within my own experience zone. Then I read an article suggesting you needed to challenge yourself occasionally if only to keep the writing muscle truly active and not on auto-pilot. The article ended with an exercise to plan and execute an article for a market you didn't think you could write for.   The first piece I wrote was for a Cat magazine. We don't have a cat. I have never owned a cat. We had however been adopted by the cat from the farm next door. Apparently whilst the house was being built he regularly patrolled the premises and just because we had moved in he saw no reason to stop. He even brought us gifts - small voles mainly but on one occasion a nice fat rat. When neighbours moved in to the other houses he kept all other cats at bay, showing them swiftly he was boss cat and it was a tale of this cat that caught the editor's eye and achieved publication.   In the interests of fairness I did the same with a tale of a dog for a monthly Dog title and then I suppose I felt I had completed that challenge. I continued to increase the range of titles I submitted to from county magazines to nostalgia, lifestyle and specialist titles but always within the comfort zone of what I am familiar with. I may research details or background to topics but I generally have a good basis to work from.   Now I think it is time to challenge myself again. Already this year I have doubled the output per month from the last two years and the list of ideas I have waiting to be written up is expanding fast so now I think I need to think about trying an unknown market again, just to see if I can crack it. All I have to decide is - which one.

Portrait v Landscape

I have now received a print copy of the magazine containing my article written after our break last June. As usual I had supplied the photographs and I was struck by the relative blandness of one image. The editor had stressed she could only use my work if the images were bright and colourful.   Looking at the page layout I realised this was the only photograph shown in portrait (upright) format and had been used to break up the text in one of the columns. I checked the file of photos I had submitted and the mystery was solved. Of those submitted only three were in portrait rather than landscape mode and this was by far the most interesting of the three.   Checking other photo files on the same subject I found portrait images were largely overlooked yet editors need these to add variety to their layout. In general I use the portrait format more than many photographers as I find it often gives a more interesting feel to the shot but with the tiles topic often I needed to include the widest possible shot to gain the most detail.   Taking a look at other recently published items I noticed another aspect. Editors including close-up pictures like to remove the background altogether from shots. When taking photographs of objects I tend to place them against a bland or single colour background and this makes it easier for the photograph to be manipulated and the background removed from digital shots. This I had done instinctively in trying to avoid the background intruding but clearly there are many more tricks to be learned. Taking photographs for articles is not always simply point and shoot as some would have us believe. (I have made three abortive attempts to add photographs to this post - all low res ones well below 1Mb - but it seems it is not to be.)

Competitions

I suppose if there was anything I should write about as being what I know about it would be entering competitions. I know many people here enter writing competitions but here I am referring to consumer competitions, the ones that in the past generally required a slogan.   It's over forty years ago since OH and I became engaged and frightened ourselves with the list of items we felt we needed to set up home. If you are ever going to get married you'll have to start winning some of them was my mother's advice. We did and we were hooked.   So what has this to do with writing? As mentioned earlier competitions in the past largely required you to do research and often create a slogan or do some form of writing. As practice for writing concisely it was excellent  and although we never won any major items like foreign holidays, cars or even houses that were on offer we won enough to keep us enthused and indeed won some wonderful experiences that money alone could not buy. We met people, attended events and gained a whole load of household and other goods just for entering. Certainly from a writing point of view it was as helpful as writing readers' letters for honing writing skills.   Later I gave talks at local groups and then began writing articles for competition magazines. Now I have mentioned before that a fair proportion of magazines I have written for have subsequently folded and this happened to a succession of comping magazines and to the best of my knowledge there are none now around that accept writing on this topic so I am having to think a little more laterally trying to find an outlet for an article on the subject now. Even so, planning the talks and writing those articles were great for getting me to write about what I know and to research things in greater detail.   Today many competitions are run or entered online and even by text and those involving writing of any description are becoming rarer. Of course, as many people want something for little effort those competitions that do require a statement to be completed or a short piece of writing do have fewer entrants making them just the sort of competition to aim for. Local competitions likewise get fewer entries so it is perhaps unsurprising that one of our best wins came from writing fifty words for a local newspaper competition. On the other hand a couple of years back we won a large value of vouchers simply for filling in name and email on an entry form so luck plays more part than skill these days in many contests.   I have not entered a great number of purely writing competitions although I have had some small successes in them including one on Writelink but it is as an opportunity to plan and produce an article that this hobby has contributed most.

Pride...and Fall

The pleasure derived from the final publication of the article written by my father all those years ago has been somewhat deflated by a large package from the same magazine arriving in the post this morning. This contained three articles and the accompanying photos requested after submission that had been retained for possible publication. Two other pieces have been retained and I have hopes for them still.   The magazine has shifted its stance slightly over recent years with more emphasis on items with a human rather than simply historic element and this is reflected in the items chosen for return and those retained. Having welcomed back some old favourites amongst the photos in this selection I am already considering other possible markets. Each of the topics has been the subject of ongoing research so anything I send out now will have new elements and it is certainly a case of rewriting rather than simply resubmitting the material.   I am also awaiting a response from an editor who promised to get back to me by the end of this week following a query. Now that I know where I stand with some very long outstanding submissions I am ready to make a fresh start with, hopefully, some new horizons.

The healing power of plants

A recent stay in South Wales saw us exploring the market town of Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan. We have visited before and it is a delightful little town with plenty of lovely old buildings and shops as in many old market towns. On our last visit there was news of a physic garden being developed and we were keen to see how this had developed. This was clearly a very good time of year to visit. The paths were edged with lavender and the scent from the flowers and buzz of the bees were the first impressions received. The central area of the garden, however, has been laid out in beds, each devoted to a group of plants thought to aid various medical conditions and improve the functions of various parts of the body. These included lungs, bones, skin and hair, kidneys and heart. There were also plants to aid childbirth and nerves. A number of the plants we would consider wild flowers including St John's Wort and Comfrey. These we had also seen flowering in the hedgerows of the area so the garden not only reflects the past but also has links to the present. Many modern preparations include these plants in their production too. The monasteries once had gardens for medicinal herbs but after their dissolution other gardens were developed, the most famous being the Chelsea Physic Garden. Today there are a number of these gardens around the country, many like the Cowbridge example, of recent planting. Linking plants together in this way makes a wonderful display for any garden and could easily be adopted as a plan for a domestic garden. Many of us have areas devoted to herbs, and herbs feature largely in these physic gardens too, but the addition of the wider range of plants is very colourful indeed.   (Still no access to my photo software so no pictures at present)

From the horse's mouth

Over the past few years OH and I have dabbled in tracing the history of our families simply using information from the family and those records that are increasingly available free on the net. One of the lessons we have learned is equally valuable for writing.   When the 1901 Census appeared on line I found a great uncle of mine listed as being a tailor’s lepe. I couldn’t find the word in the OED which at that time, thanks to a fascinating programme on words called Balderdash, was also free to search on line. I took it to be simply a local dialect word and left it at that. Of course, the free searches only offered access to the transcriptions of documents, not the scanned documents themselves. Anothe family branch seemed to have changed surname following a move to London. This lead to much speculation.   With at least two mysteries created we bit the bullet and decided to study the actual documents and there we found the simple solutions. My uncle was not a tailor’s lepe after all. The word was actually "help" and had been transcribed incorrectly due to the handwriting. With this discovery we were not surprised to find that the other family had not changed their name at all. Their unusual surname had simply been written badly and the Jones substituted, presumably as a best fit.   When researching topics for articles I have found lots of inconsistencies, especially with on line resources, and have found it most helpful to contact publications, record offices and so on direct to make sure the information is accurate. For the most part I have found people only too willing to send information – even research something locally – and on occasion have been sent copies of clippings from old newspapers or magazines and a whole range of data. If you can narrow down specific queries it is well worth trying this route. Editors do not want a host of letters from readers anxious to point out the errors in their publication. In this, as many other things these days, back to basics is the key.

Search for inspiration

Various things have conspired to make writing difficult this past week, not least having the whole family visiting for a celebration at the weekend. In fact the only actual writing done in the past week was undertaken whilst waiting for an appointment and I ended up using a number of scraps of paper for this from till receipts and shopping lists to the envelope for the appointment. I have still to transcribe that lot.   Meanwhile we spent one day visiting the Heritage Motor Museum with family members. This might not have been my choice - vehicles have no interest other than their ability to transport on the whole  -  but I could appreciate the historical details and confess to even trying out some of the activities. Of late I have become increasingly aware of how much is now provided to keep all the family amused at such venues. Here there were regular tables with tracing and colouring activities, paper car models to make and other fun crafts in addition to the hands-on machines and vehicles that could be clambered over. A recent visit to the River and Rowing Museum at Henley revealed numerous activities around the museum and even a rucksack of items for children to carry allowing them to do puzzles or crafts in any location. Mark you most would not want to leave the wonderful Wind in the Willows display or the activity room with rowing boats and rowing machines and puzzles galore.   So, activities for children or the way in which venues attract families is definitely one area to consider for an article. However, I often find something quite small can spark an idea. In this instance it was two menus for dinners to celebrate milestones in car manufacture. One for a group of dignitaries was written in plain straightforward English. The second, for a works dinner, was all in French although a rough translation I managed suggests the fare was pretty basic nonetheless. I began to recall menus I had seen at other venues and realised there must be an article in this. With our own celebrations in mind I suppose this was bound to spark the idea but I know what I shall be on the lookout for on our trips now.

Another case of serendipity

I recently wrote an entry on my website  about the things one finds when visiting a church. Whenever we explore a location we always try to visit the church as, besides being most likely the oldest building in the community, so many other things are housed there these days. We have seen at least three old fire engines - well fire pumps really - in locations nationwide and more than once we have learned of local customs from artefacts or photos in a church.   Earlier this week we went out to take a specific photograph for a piece I was writing, combining this with fetching in some groceries. Never liking to take the same route both ways if we can pootle we returned via a village we had explored some years ago and decided to walk round again and take new pictures. We parked near the church but this was our last port of call. As I was reading a notice in one area OH was browsing the publications searching out a copy of the church guide and he spotted a free local magazine. This was new to us and glancing through I could see possibilities.   It seems it is not just new to us but this was only the second issue. An email to the editor for guidelines received an almost instant response - maybe because as yet he is not commissioning work but is looking for this for later in the year. However he has been back to me after checking out the website (first time I have had an evidence of this happening despite quoting it on all queries) and has asked for some suggestions. Early days I appreciate and maybe come to nothing but you really don't know what you may learn in church. Yet another case for serendipity at work this year.

Another unlikely poetry spot

A day out looking at steam trains seemed an unlikely opportunity for anything of literary interest yet once again we were to be surprised. A section of track at Didcot is of the Broad Gauge favoured by Brunel and we were surprised to discover this alternative size wasn't finally discontinued until 1891. Amongst the items on display related to this rail type was a poem, Broad-gauge Farewell, written by Horatio F Brown to mark its demise. Poetry was clearly being used to mark events in Victorian times.   Another area of research also had a boost when I found a number of menus associated with railway dining at different times. (Menus and descriptions of feasts and festivities generally have been a recent interest.) Although most of our time was spent "admiring" the engineering and marvelling at the size and scale of these steaming monsters with the grandchildren (and enjoying endless rides up and down the track it must be said - had to get a sit down somehow) it was good to look at things from a more artistic and literary point of view.

All that glitters

It’s been a busy couple of weeks.  I had been asked to write a couple of Christmas pieces. I submitted them Monday and received an immediate request for photos for illustration. Trouble was I hadn’t actually taken any so spent another afternoon surrounded by Christmas decorations until I finally put together a number for consideration.   I was contacted through my website with a request to use some photos for a book. The pictures are basically there to show I have illustrations to add to articles but it is true they draw more attention than any writing references judging by the site stats. Indeed, people have been in touch telling me the location of more examples to photograph for many of the topics.   No sooner had I sent those off than David posted a request for Christmas material for the Writelinkers Christmas Magazine. Once again I am trying to get into the festive mood. I had planned to write some articles based on our recent break and that is fast fading into the background under a shower of glitter. In desperation to get some of the many ideas turning around in my head out of the way I submitted a couple of filler items today. Now maybe I can settle to a gentler, steadier pace once more. It would be nice to return to the tranquility of this evening scene.

New year Challenges - take three times a year

After a few days away it is time to knuckle down once more. All this talk of resolutions made me feel quite guilty that to date all I have achieved writing-wise this year is setting up new files for writing submitted and so on so that I keep track of what is where.   I have always considered it odd that we make resolutions at the start of a new year when we in the northern hemisphere are experiencing the worst of our weather. If things are anything like last year simply keeping going is a challenge in itself. After a lifetime at school and in teaching for me the start of the year tends to be September and I can recommend making challenges to yourself after a treat such as a holiday or other special occasion. For others, including the Tax Man, the year starts in April so there is a good case for beginning your writing year then as it helps keep track of any income in that way.   Rather than make resolutions I prefer the idea of goals or challenges to myself – writing for a new market, say, or submitting x number of items per week, month, year depending on what is being prepared. I have tried a twelve month diary but tend to get lost around the fourth month and feel I have achieved nothing so maybe there is a solution. Why not have three “New Year” challenges – one in January, one in May and one in September? Always easier to digest things in smaller chunks and less likely to lose heart.   Away from writing I aim to use the same technique. I once read that a favourite maxim of the Queen Mother was that things should be put away and not simply put down. As one who constantly loses vital pieces of information and spends much time looking for said items this would seem ideal – but I don’t do ideal. Instead I am trying the theory that things will gradually get decluttered if you keep putting five things in the right place – be it in a file, a cupboard or the bin if appropriate. Five things up or down stairs save special journeys and five pieces of paper filed are less likely to be lost. I’ll let you know how I get on. Meanwhile, a belated Happy New Year to all Writelinkers.

Targeting writing

Generally I follow the accepted form and target articles to specific magazines. Even if I find a topic I think worth writing about I usually consider where to send it before writing anything down. However, a couple of pieces I have aired in the Arena recently were developed from some writing exercises I did last winter when the weather made getting out and about problematical. I simply selected an object or photograph and aimed to write something inspired by it. Some items came out as nostalgia pieces and others as observations on life or viewpoints and a couple have already found homes despite not being targeted writing as such.   With the pieces I placed in the Arena I was less certain where they might be placed and I was delighted when many people not only commented but also made suggestions for magazines to try. Firstly, I should like to thank those who pointed out typos and other errors as I was sure I had finely edited the work. Just shows how close you get to work and how easy it is to read what you expect to see. I was also delighted at the range of magazines mentioned as this suggests maybe there is a much larger pool of titles to which I might submit. Mindful that Arena items are removed after ten days I make a note of comments and recommendations before they disappeared.   Finally I should especially like to thank those who took time to read and comment on the work despite, as they admitted, not normally reading non-fiction. I have mentioned before that I do read a lot of items on the Arena but feel uneasy about commenting on poetry or fiction as this is not an area I feel confident about, not writing much in these forms myself. On the other hand we are all readers and in the wider world many people make a living from commenting on films, books, TV and so on yet never write anything themselves so I will make greater efforts to return the compliment and try to give constructive comments on writing in other formats, too.   Meantime, a group of short pieces should be ready for submission by the end of the week and amongst them will be one of the items I offered for discussion. I'll let you know how they get on. Thanks to those who commented in the Arena I already have alternatives to submit to if my chosen title is not interested.

Pictures as inspiration

Since Moosey nominated me for WOM I thought I had better add a new Blog entry quickly! In my reply to her questionnaire I wrote a bit about using photos to inspire and even suggest article topics and I certainly use this way of working a great deal. I have also entered writing competitions where photos or paintings have been offered for inspiration so I thought maybe I could place a photo here for people to use as an inspiration for a piece of writing in whatever form they prefer. I would love to know if anyone uses this technique themselves and obviously if you find this particular image helpful.   A bit of background. This was taken on the Ridgeway, north of Swindon in February - yes February - 2008. (Looking at more recent years around that date I can record photos of local floods, snow and one of our fire burning fiercely which suggests to me it was a rather chill day as the fire draws best then!) I think this could illustrate an article on walking, long distance walks, exploring the countryside to name but a few but could also be used for a story. Who are the people in the picture for example and why are they there? Equally I think trees are often seen at their most beautiful in winter when the structure is exposed so maybe a poem springs to mind - spring again. Definitely on the mind at present.

Industrial inspiration

Many of my photo collection would not receive beauty awards. They include litter-strewn countryside and the aftermath of sporting events. The pictures may one day be included with articles or opinion pieces. Photos of amusing signs may be sent to magazines for letters page entries whilst old signs collected together could illustrate an article on language, historic references or a host of other themes.   Another group includes industrial sites and scenes. These may be of details, others of scenes but for many the work place is not a subject for photography. Certainly many would not consider them inspiration for poetry or a story. How about the above examples. Do you find them more or less inspiring than the country scene from the beginning of the month?

Glass half full - or half empty?

We seem to be having an organised week. This happens from time to time. Appointments arranged by others come together and in between we fit such joys as the annual boiler service and so on. As we also try to match other tasks to essential shopping trips to cut down on journeys this week would seem the ideal one for writing, one hour appointments (at home) on two days and a shopping trip. However, the opposite has been true to date.   I find it difficult to concentrate on writing knowing I may be interrupted by someone coming to the door or needing to know where they can find some switch or other. “Appointment” is a loose term. Most only specify morning or afternoon at best. It must be even more of a nightmare for those who have to take time off work for such events.   Shopping trips, even with a list, still take at least an hour including time to reach the shops and park and when adding in a trip to dump items at the council tip and a visit to the post office to post a parcel, with the inevitable queues now even longer as the smaller rural post offices have closed, almost the whole morning is taken up.   These distractions aside, however, it was probably the return of a short story that had been with an editor for over four months that tipped the balance and switched me off. After such a time I had begun to hope that no news was good news but it was not to be. However, looking again at the email it said, “This story is not for us” and “please consider sending more for us to read.” Now I may be being overly optimistic but that is not saying the story isn’t good, simply it doesn’t fit the market. It is not saying to give up but to send something different. So now to make a start on a new story and when I need a break from that I’ll look at finding a new home for the original one. Meantime, I must add My Weekly to the shopping list as I believe I have a captioned photo in there this week if I recall the email I was sent correctly.

On your doorstep

"So, have you photographed the one in town?" "Er, no," I had to confess. A few years back I sent a letter to our local paper asking for readers to get in touch if they could help with some research. The result was a call from the editor and, although I didn't get any help with the research, he did run a piece about the things I was photographing at the time and I did get some contacts from readers. However, he made a very good point; we often visit places when on holiday but overlook what is on our doorstep.   In the past couple of years, with more time on our hands now in theory, we have tried to redress the balance and visited towns and villages around on a regular basis. Even so there is still plenty to see and do. Last week we set out to cross a few more possibilities off our list. Our first visit was to the gardens at Rousham House. Within ten miles this should have been visited many times over as we love gardens. One drawback in our early days in the area was the fact that children under fifteen are not admitted. I suspect the long stretch of the River Cherwell flowing through the landscaped grounds have dictated this as much as anything.   There is a walled garden area with herbaceous borders and fruit trees, a kitchen garden and acres of parkland landscaped by William Kent. In fact it is acknowledged as one of his masterpieces. We spent several hours in the sunshine wandering the paths, smelling the peonies and roses and simply enjoying the peace as I believe there were only half a dozen others there at the time. It was if it all belonged to us and I suppose for while, in a sense, it did. One delight was to find the dove cote, or pigeon house as it was listed, occupied with nesting pigeons, just as it would have been centuries ago.   On another day we went slightly further afield and ended up at the village of Filkins where the Cotswold Woollen Weavers (www.naturalbest.co.uk) is a working woollen mill. In addition to a shop and cafe there is also a museum of artefacts in any way vaguely related to wool and its products. There are old looms, bobbins, shepherds tools and so on but also pattern books, adverts and a whole range of paraphernalia so that at every turn you came across something different. All this is mixed in with items for sale and even the offices where people are carrying on the business. You are free to explore and we spent  well over an hour there. One case contained medals, postcards and even stamps depicting sheep whilst other displays included bills and polite reminders for overdue accounts. Whatever you enjoy writing, fact, fiction or poetry, I am sure there would be something to stimulate the imagination.   We have come across a number of these small collections run by enthusiasts and often free to explore. Well worth looking out for such opportunities and remember, don't overlook what is right there under your nose.

Breaking the deadlock

Life has rather got in the way of writing of late but a few weeks ago I came across a small writing competition that closed at midnight. It was already ten at night. However, it sparked a memory and I duly wrote it down, discovered it was a hundred words too long so edited it to fit and sent it off. It felt good to have completed and submitted something at least.   I was delighted to find I was actually short-listed although I didn’t win a prize. However, just making that submission seems to have broken the deadlock and I have another item ready to launch into the world. Maybe something else learned, too. Maybe I don’t need to get revising and editing work time and time again. Perhaps first thoughts maybe the best and just tightening up the writing with an edit after a break is all that is needed. On the other hand, perhaps I simply need a deadline to work to!

Snapping Christmas

As the last minute panic kicks in I thought I'd take a break to offer the compliments of the season to all Writelinkers and all the best for 2012. It looks like being a bumper year for writing opportunities with the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics in the summer but for those of us wrong-footed by David's request for items for the Christmas Writelinkers mag now is the time to take the photos.   Unless you want N&D to suffer turkey at midsummer or be asked to create fake snow as TV productions need to do as they film in August, taking photos now will be a great aide memoir and maybe even be used to illustrate your work. Actually, if you leave writing about Christmas until August you are probably too late for 2012 and will have to look to the following year. Most magazines work well ahead for such events and I was once asked to resubmit a Christmas tip to a magazine in the following June as they had already planned their Christmas edition. This was in September. A tip, that is, not an article or story, so they really do plan well ahead. In fact, David's request in October was easier to respond to as at least there was some evidence around in the retail and events sectors to help create the mood.   So along with all those embarrassing family photos don't forget to record the tree, the decorations (in the home and out and about if possible) and anything else you think may act as a prompt or illustration. I started this year taking photos of making the cake and the pudding and I have tried to have the camera with me whenever out and about in case I come across anything. Last year I was really annoyed I had left the camera behind when we visited a town that had lovely ice sculptures of a snowman and a penguin. (Although used as part of the light's switch on the night before they were still looking good next day due to the extreme weather we had at the time.) I've even got the rest of the family on the look-out for suitable pics. A trip to the zoo earlier this week by a family member bagged a great shot of a reindeer!

Natural confusion

I suspect that we are not the only people to find our garden is reeling under yet another confusing bout of weather here in the UK. This time last year we struggled with low temperatures and snow and now we have just had the mildest period for ages and plants are springing into life. We have honesty in bloom, the nemesias that normally bloom most of the year but take time off from late November to early March are still going strong and our newly planted apple tree is in full leaf.   The apple tree was planted at the end of October. Supplied as a bare-rooted tree the instructions told us to prune anytime between November and February to achieve the style of tree required. As our garden is small we wanted to make this a cordon tree like the others we have but this tree immediately developed buds and is now really green. The instructions say not to prune whilst it is still active so I can see the shape being left as it is until next year at this rate. Meanwhile, when we do get a bad spell it will presumably lose its leaves and maybe suffer dire consequences to boot.   Some years we fail to have daffodils in bloom for March 1st, St David's Day, for OH but this year, if the trend continues, I can see them being almost over by that date. Reading diaries and books from earlier ages, however, shows this is nothing new. Francis Kilvert often commented on unusual weather in his diary from the Nineteenth centry and Gilbert White, the parson naturalist did the same. If nothing else, perhaps we should record these unusual events for future generations to look back on. I recall a member of a WI group I belonged to showing us a diary she had kept for well over half a century. Each day she just commented on the weather and which flowers were in bloom in the garden or round about. A farmer's wife, she often travelled around the district and just wrote down her thoughts. We tried to persuade her to get it published but I don't believe she ever did. I'd love to know what happened to this priceless archive. Today there are organisations that appeal for such material and there have been several such collections published over the years including the Diary of an Edwardian Lady which also made it to TV. Sometimes the difficulty is persuading people their contribution is of value - but then that is a problem for writers the world over.

Catch up

It's been a while since I have had much time for posting. Always seems to be something getting in the way and not always able to side-step the distractions.   Have been writing some articles, trying out a few more filler items and generally looking for new places to send writing. Each year I set out to find new people to approach - partly because I like to spread my wings a bit and partly because there are only so many pieces that a magazine will accept at a time. I also run out of items to submit for certain markets yet I can recycle work already published in a different format - letter from article or vice versa, story from funny photo and so on. I have just submitted an article on a theme I have often written on, village signs. This time I won't be paid but I have other ideas for the magazine and if they like what they get this time there is a better chance of being accepted for other topics. A couple of weeks ago I came across a website looking for short factual gardening pieces in exchange for vegetable seeds. Well, I would buy those anyway, so if I wrote for seeds it wouldn’t be unrewarded. I was even asked to select the seeds I would like.   Next task is to re-write an article I have submitted unsuccessfully. The article was fine, I was told,  but the magazine is not accepting new material at present and this is time sensitive so a quick jiggle to fit it more closely to another magazine's style and it can be sent back into cyberspace with the hopes of hitting the mark second time around. I can do another re-jig for a different market again and hopefully one (or even both) with prove acceptable.   Now I need to think what to do with these photos, just some of a group I took before the snow fell yesterday. On a trip out we came across these frozen scenes alongside a puddle on a country road. The water splashed up had frozen into magical scenes but elsewhere there was no sign of frost. The hedges were dull brown, the verges green and the road clear. We were not the only ones to stop to take photos. I was really thankful I have taken to always having a camera in my bag or pocket, even on a trip to the shops!

Gardening for Writers

It has been a gloriously sunny day here today. A chance to get washing dried out of doors and to make serious inroads into clearing up the borders to display their spring beauty at its best. At this time of year, with everything bursting into life in the garden, there are generally plenty of jobs to do outdoors. It pays to take things slowly at first. A&E departments always know when the season starts as people rush to get things done. There are similarities with writing in this spring clear up. As you look at the overall task to create a garden it seems daunting. As with writing, making the first move is often the most difficult. Most of us dive into something that will make a big impact – cutting down dead wood or digging a patch for planting. Doing this without an overall plan, however, is like listing all your research and hoping an article will be the result. Facts, like plants, have to be chosen with care and placed in the ideal location. For the best overall effect words (or plants) need to blend and mix harmoniously. Many plants at this time of year benefit from some pruning. It gets them into shape, cutting out superfluous material produces better results in the long run. Writing also benefits from pruning, often more drastic than we imagine necessary, and only when it is looking its very best, like the garden, can it be shown off or rather, be sent on its way.

Serendipity Moments

So far this year I seem to have written about anniversaries and events. Each year I find my writing taking off in a different direction. Some years I have aimed to discover new markets, others to write new pieces for magazines where already published and sometimes I have just aimed to write on new subjects, often arising from chance discoveries when out and about – serendipity moments.   This year, looking over past work and through the photo collections I realised 2012 was not just the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic or of the ill-fated Antarctic Expedition or even the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen. It marks the centenary of a rather poignant local memorial to some young airmen who died in military service. Seeking out the details of that story has been fascinating and I already have a couple of possible markets for an article.   Should I ignore the big topics that everyone else will be writing about? I thought so at first until I realised one collection of photos was about an earlier Diamond Jubilee, that of Queen Victoria. Maybe taking a slightly different topic would be the answer. So far I have submitted three different articles to national titles and one to a regional title with more under way. The editor of the regional title got straight back accepting the article. It seems the memorial I had chosen to write about was in their focus location for the May issue and its Jubilee connection linked it to the upcoming events. Now that is a serendipity moment too, simply sending the article at the right time to the right place. Do make the most of your serendipity moments. They help make up for those items that come back for recycling.

Write Advice

This morning, going through a paper file of my old writing, I came across a single sheet of notes. It took a while to place in context until I realised they related to a telephone “Life Coaching” session about ten years ago with the friend of a friend who wished to practice her skills. Although I had had lots of items published at the time I was still sending out an article and waiting with baited breath for a response, often a rejection. I was particularly annoyed at the time that photographs I had supplied were not always returned. Email submissions were not an option then on the whole and for images print or more often transparencies were preferred over digital images which were generally considered to lack the quality required for publishing.   On the “to do”list constructed with the life coach was to approach help pages in writing magazines or online. I sent a letter to a writing magazine and another to an online writing group. The response from the magazine was simply how foolish to send originals and not to do it again. Talk about stating the obvious. From the website I received the same message but it was tempered with further advice and suggestions to keep writing and sending out as it made the waiting less stressful. I started writing for county titles, researching topics until I had sufficient material to offer further items for national titles. I spread the range of writing and began to balance the research and writing time better. Research is a joy and kept throwing up new ideas, so many that I wasn’t writing any of them, but limiting time for research and writing more paid off. I can now list many publications where I have work published.   I have given up on the magazine. I found the same ideas constantly recycled. The website remains a favourite and I shall be forever indebted to the advice I received when I was feeling so negative about writing. The website was of course Writelink and Sue the one who took time to offer her advice. Here at least members are happy to share successes and advice, the former being just as important in encouraging others to have a go. I was going to discard the piece of paper in an effort to declutter but on second thoughts maybe I should frame it for when I need encouragement.

Will I ever get it right?

There seem to be two schools of thought when approaching new markets. Some suggest that, as they don't know your work, you submit complete articles whilst others say that sending query letters containing a few outline ideas is the best approach.   In the past three months I have been working on a number of pieces based around anniversaries falling this year and therefore time sensitive. Where I have been able to find submission guidelines I have adhered to them and as a result one magazine that asked for manuscripts has accepted an article and one that asked for queries has said no thanks. Fine. However, all other queries seem to have fallen on deaf ears with not a peep of a reply even after a tentative follow-up email once a couple of months had elapsed and with the anniversary date looming.   I have also noticed that magazines who do not offer payment are quick to reply and keep in touch. In one instance, as I had exhausted all other options I went ahead and have written the article anyway as it could lead to more items being accepted later but on the whole I try to steer clear of such choices.   Another experience new to me recently was to be sent an article that had been typeset for my approval. Often I don't even know an item is going to appear until I see a copy of the publication. With all these variations it is no wonder there seems no hard and fast rule for how to set about submitting work.

Nine lives

I once read that every article had many lives. Subjects could always be rewritten for a different market. This year one of the themes I enjoy photographing and researching had a natural connection with events so I decided to give the lives idea a go.   I started with national mags and general pieces but they didn't attract much attention - well a couple of rejections but nothing positive - so I moved on to regional mags, writing each piece to fit the style of local mags and of course using local examples. Although the bare bones are the same each has come out very different and it has been a good exercise in rewriting the same material and getting maximum use of research if nothing else. To date one acceptance and one editor "getting back" to me at some stage. Having tried all the regional titles in one area I approached the local newspaper. The editor was keen but doesn't pay. I thought about this and then in the end decided to send him the article anyway. After all, I had written it and there was no other obvious market, he is happy to mention my website and to ask readers to comment or send info and that could help with further research on the topic so potentially not a complete freebie.   The rejections have not been all negative either. One editor, who told me in January he was accepting no new material as he was inundated (I only sent the piece on spec then because it was topical and I thought it worth the risk), has asked to see an article on another topic I suggested with my submission. The other rejection was of the "not this time" variety. Maybe I'm being optimistic but he didn't say "never."   It has taken most of the past fortnight to write all the different versions but now I can move on to other pieces that are less topical and therefore less pressing - or maybe I need the deadline to work to if I want to be that productive!

Bridge that gap

Having spent the past few weeks working on a series of articles for different magazine but on a common theme I have come to a natural break and decided to fire off a few quick filler items that would make the work submitted list look better. I have an article I am rewriting that I intend sending off this week but thought a few letters or tips would get the writing muscle flexed. As I was packing up last night I sent off a letter to a magazine commenting on their latest issue. This morning I had a response to my email from the editor of a different magazine (but with a similar name). Yes, I had sent it to the wrong magazine. Ah well, it will be  while before I can send anything to the second magazine but at least the letter has now reached the right title as I had an acknowledgement. Wouldn't it be great if all magazines were to have auto-reply systems so that we would know our work had been received. On the other hand, if the second magazine had used auto-reply I might never have had my mistake pointed out.

Eye to the detail

Yesterday we were back at Blenheim enjoying a brisk walk in the grounds. As this has become a regular occurrence I am sometimes challenged to find new things to photograph (and afford myself a brief rest following the steep parts of the walk.) Spring seemed an obvious choice and I started off with daffodils and some sheep (sadly no lambs as yet in this flock) but then opted for looking in detail at the trees.   The Park is full of ancient trees and many are simply hollowed trunks with branches at odd angles. Others are in their prime and my first thought was to photograph the different bark patterns of the trees. Oak, Ash, Beech, Horse Chestnut and Silver Birch offered plenty of options and I took several of each. Then we began seeing shapes in the gnarled bark and splintered branches and located a “crocodile” with no difficulty. An eye of major proportions and a grimacing face peered out of the bark of a couple of other trees.   Of course one of the beauties of the walk is the abundance of wildlife. You can certainly hear plenty and the chiff chaff kept teasing us with his call although we never glimpsed him once. The Park has many pheasants and their call was almost constant and we saw several males strutting their stuff and then scurrying off at our approach. Two males facing up to each other however, were too full of other thoughts to disappear and I managed several shots of their attacks on one another. Later we were to see coots on the lake in equally combative mode but the best sighting for us was a single Little Grebe. At first he was quite close to shore but he soon drifted off and by the time I had the camera ready he was really too far out... and then he dived as I took the picture. Guessing where he was to resurface was not easy but I did get a distant shot in the end at least to remind us that we really did see him.   All in all it was a great walk, we met some pleasant people to chat to or pass the time of day and we explored yet another path we had missed before. There were signs of spring everywhere with a horse chestnut branch just showing the first soft, dangling leaves, violets beneath the beech tress and the sound of birds just some of the signs that spring is on its way.

Season of mists...

This year the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is fulfilling its promise in abundance. Many mornings have seen the mistiness that leaves tree tops severed from their trunks. Back in early September I blogged about windfalls from a crab apple tree that has a yellow fruit and today I was able to take photographs of the branches laden with red fruit on an old favourite near our home. Back in April I took shots of the blossom which was really exceptional so it is not surprising that the tree has such a wonderful crop. People often say lots of fruit and berries means a harsh winter ahead but it is far more likely to result from conditions the previous spring than be a foreteller of doom.   Back in the garden we only have room for a couple of cordon apples but the fruit, although not great in number, has been far larger and with a superb flavour. A nearby garden has a quince tree, a fruit we have never tried. In years of abundance such as this a basket of quinces is always displayed for passers-by to help themselves and we have never done so but this year we have selected just a few fruits and, thanks to studying old recipe books and a number of articles in magazines, we are about to venture on some quince jelly. Not quite sure when we'll get the chance but will keep you posted. For those also in the dark about this once popular fruit a quince looks vaguely pear shaped but is harder like an apple and is not really eaten raw although some folk-lore suggests Greek brides did so to sweeten their breath. The simplest recipe I have found suggests simply cutting the fruit into small pieces and simmering to soften. Then straining and adding sugar, boiling again until a set is achieved. Other recipes include the rind and juice of a lemon. Anyone had any experience with making quince jelly?

Experience

The opportunity to attend top sporting events is not one most of us experience every day but last Friday saw us at Cheltenham on Gold Cup day. A hobby we have pursued for a long time is that of entering consumer competitions and whilst we may not have bagged the house, car or exotic holiday we have had many prizes that have offered something just as valuable – experience.   This was our second sporting win of the year as OH and DS were at the opening Six Nations match at the Millennium Stadium (although sadly the wrong side won.) Over the years we have enjoyed several of these occasions. OH and DS had a VIP day out at Silverstone for the Grand Prix and tickets to an event at Duxford. We have been to the NEC a dozen times to events as diverse as Antiques Fairs and the Motor Show, Gardening to Food and never had to buy tickets (although often the parking charges are high.) Afternoon tea at the Café Royal after a presentation and a tour of the BBC Natural History unit after another award ceremony are amongst the other things we may never have done without our hobby. Indeed the presentations can often be more exciting than the prize itself. We have met some interesting people, too. The children’s author and illustrator Shirley Hughes was delightful and chatted for ages about her writing.   Besides winning some very useful items (and some we have yet to identify a use for) I have also given talks to groups, written in magazines devoted to competitions and used a prize win as the basis for a short story that won yet more prizes. Many competitions in the past required slogans or short pieces of writing on a theme and this helped hone editing skills to meet the word limits. Today a great many companies rely on on-line competitions that are really simply prize draws with no skill involved so part of the fun has been removed although a win is still a win.   Now, in the past we have found each year seems to develop a theme. One year most of the prizes were books or CDs and another year we won no less than four kettles. If this is to be the year of tickets to events maybe I should consult a social calendar to see what else is on offer.

What's in a name?

What’s in a name?   As we pootled our way to visit relatives yesterday I was struck once again by some of the unusual names that are found on any journey. I long ago learned of possible Roman, Viking or Saxon settlements found using elements of their names but many of those on the journey defied these rules. We travelled by way of Lechlade on Thames and Fairford where we stopped off to visit the parish church with its wonderful full set of stained glass windows, including clerestory windows,  all dating back over five hundred years. They have been gradually restored over the past decade or so but are now all back in situ and well worth a visit. The carved misericords in the chancel were also a delight.   Travelling on we came to a group of villages whose names were right out of an Agatha Christie novel. You could imagine Miss Marple coming out of one of the cottages or shops quite easily. Ampney St Peter, Ampney Crucis and nearby Ampney St Mary and Down Ampney derive their names from the nearby river, though. Further on we passed through Knockdown. I have been unable to track down the reason for this odd name though. Our Dictionary of English Place Names ignores its existence, perhaps as it is not a large community.   Further on our route appeared to have taken us overseas as we travelled through Dunkirk and Petty France but turned off before reaching Pennsylvania. Around the country there are many other “overseas” locations including Gibraltar in our own locality and Egypt in Hampshire.   Other names that have captured our attention in the past are Honeyburge in Buckinghamshire, Red Roses in Pembrokeshire and Farewell in Staffordshire. I am sure there are many more of these unusual names and everyone will have their own favourites. One thing is sure, however odd the place names we dream up for our  stories, there is likely to be an even less likely name in reality.

Getting to the root of the matter

Like many other Writelinkers, I suspect, I have taken a bit of a break from writing the past couple of weeks. What with all the holidays and visitors and so on, plus the sunshine, the call of the outdoors has been great. Whilst walks and opportunities for photographs for articles have accounted for some of this time the greatest amount has been spent in the garden itself.   A large viburnum had succumbed to the heavy snow that bowed it down in December and needed to be removed. After twenty years it had probably given of its best anyway. It was cut down in no time and OH opted to dig out the roots next day. However the more he dug the deeper they went. It seemed as if they went on forever. A few years back we had used a chemical painted on to an old tree stump to help it rot down and we went to the garden centre in search of advice.   If you recall the joke about the old man asked for directions who started off by saying "I wouldn't start from here," you might appreciate the conversation we had with the manager of our local store. However, he came up with suggestions, several of which, give him his due, did not even require a purchase from his store. We learned lesson number one. A shrub has two thirds of its whole below ground. "It's the same with trees," he continued, offering lesson two, "the roots spread as far away from the trunk as the canopy grows above ground. People plant these ornamental cherries thinking they are small and before you know it the thing is growing under their property." He looked at our faces. "You have an ornamental cherry tree, too?"   We got Brownie points for recognising black spot on our roses and for not composting the leaves that fell. He offered a couple of solutions to this problem. Amongst them not planting the particular rose affected as it was susceptible to black spot. Ours was however a gift for our ruby wedding so not strictly speaking guilty on that charge.   Over the weekend our son helped remove the root using pick axe, crowbars and brute force. When I say remove the root out, they cheated a little and cut through the roots holding it in place and anchoring it. After mutilating the ends of the roots remaining, backfilling with stone before the soil we are now in the process of replanting the area. Ah, yes, the garden centre did make some money out of their free advice after all although several items we are fitting in are plants that had outgrown their pots on the patio. Where one shrub once filled the space a dozen smaller perennials and climbers have now been positioned and we are planning the removal of a number of other overly large shrubs over the year in the hopes that we won't have any more major projects of this type to deal with. Back to writing now, hopefully.

Come in number 7

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to see the stage version of Yes, Prime Minister at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. It was every bit as entertaining as the TV version. Updated and with excellent casting it seemed to appeal to all ages.   One episode that was particularly entertaining was when, during a crisis, the Press Secretary was fielding a telephone interview and was being fed responses via a numbered list of responses. All these rang true, of course, as ones we often hear trotted out on the News and other programmes.   Since attaching a Blog to my website I have noticed many of the unwanted comments I have to filter out are duplicated from apparently different addresses. This week I had the evidence of the existence of such a list for those carrying out these activities when I received a well-used reply, this time preceded by the number seven. I wonder how many there are altogether?

Bully Plants

A few years back we removed several buddleia plants that had self-seeded into our drive - a drive covered in pavers I might add, not gravel. A few years before that we removed a Russian Vine. It was recommended to us when we moved into the house and found ourselves faced with a six foot high block wall on one boundary. The vine quickly covered the wall, and everything else in the border, and promptly flowered on the other side of the wall where the only audience was a group of orphaned lambs from the farm next door.   In recent months we have been digging out a whole collection of shrubs that have outgrown their welcome. Bought because the labels said they grew to four or five feet in ten years we hadn't appreciated that they didn't stop growing at that age and they had simply swamped the borders at the back of the garden. The huge empty space looked daunting but has been quickly colonised by more manageable perennials and climbers giving so much more variety and interest although none are evergreen as the shrubs had been.   The latest plant to come under a demolition order has been a geranium. We planted one tiny plant about fifteen years ago and every year we have divided the plants, thrown out anything dead and redistributed the excess around the garden. Friends and family and the local fete have all benefited from its bounty but quite honestly you can have just too much of a good thing and its particular shade of pink clashed terribly with every other pink flower in the garden. Now only plants situated at the back of borders remain giving them several years before they encroach once more upon the lawn. We love geraniums and would like to add new varieties but one problem remains, we have lost the label to this particular one and do not want to find ourselves with another specimen. (We have  vague idea that the name Clarissa was part of the title.) We could probably supply plenty of our own to the nurseries.   Lambs ears, love-in-the-mist and nemesias are other plants that have self-seeded and filled any available space. Most are tolerated and they can more easily be dug or pulled out but we really are beginning to thing the garden centres and books could do with a category of plants - bullies. Invasive is not strictly the term needed. These just keep growing and don't know when to stop. Are we the only ones who have come late to this knowledge or do others have their own bully plants?

Jelly good

After a couple of weeks savouring the smell of the ripening quinces it was finally time to trial quince jelly. After consulting recipe books from several decades and of varying levels of sophistication I decided on a very simple version of quince jelly. The absolute basic recipe I found simply boiled the sliced quinces in water with sugar but I adapted my apple jelly recipe instead and added a lemon for flavour and to aid the set.   Slicing quinces is no easy task. It took my heavy duty cook's knife to do the deed and even then I had to lean on it heavily. No wonder they say you cannot eat the fruit raw. I put the whole fruit in as I was making jelly. Added enough water to cover and then let them simmer away until soft. I grated the rind and squeezed the lemon to add but then added the rest as well. Once all was softened I strained the mixture through a jelly bag - no easy task as I discovered it had sprung a hole since last used. Improvised by using a folded piece of damp kitchen paper in the base and only juice got through to leave a lovely pink clear liquid.   Left overnight to strain the next day I added sugar at the rate of a pound to a pint of juice and boiled it all up until setting point was reached. Poured the jelly into sterilised jars and sealed them and the resulting ruby jelly looks wonderful. Worth making for the colour alone. A real jewel of a jelly. (An unusual ruby wedding gift perhaps?). We have tasted the sample pot and as someone remarked in the earlier post the jelly is very sweet but would make a great foil to cheese or meat dishes, rather as cranberry jelly enhances turkey I think.   At every stage, mindful of the writer's hat, I took photos and made a note of any snags that arose - don't they always - and although this was a fairly lengthy process I think the effort will prove worthwhile and we will have satisfied our curiosity about this historic fruit.

Shop Horror

This week we were requested to pick up an item from a large toy retailer. A picture was emailed to us, details supplied, right down to the product stock code. What could be simpler?   The retailer was based on a large complex of such outlets with car parking provided. So far so good. Surely all we had to do now was go inside, pick up the item and pay. Being well schooled in recycling measures we had our own shopping bags. These were forbidden in this store so back to the car to place said bags in boot. Entering the store we were confronted with a maze that would have done justice to a stately home. No one alley lead straight into the store. We were lead backwards and forwards through dolls, construction kits, cards, wrapping paper, large toys and tiny plastic numbers that would hardly see the outside of the store before they were lost or broken.   Eventually we made it into the main area and were met with aisle upon aisle of toys stacked to the ceiling, well above the height even the tallest customer could reach, and I am not one of those, and virtually no labelling. Everything was geared to taking customers up and down endless aisles in search of their needs. No helpful staff were placed strategically to head people to their required aisle - customers had to rely on fellow sufferers who were vague as to where they had last spotted the elusive item. Almost fifteen minutes after entering the store we finally tracked down one pair of in-line skates as requested. Stock code matched as did all details so now to head for the tills. But not so fast, we still had to negotiate further aisles before finally spotting a row of (unmanned) tills beyond the parking lot for a vast array of transport for the under twos.   An assistant emerged from a backroom, accepted our remittance, asked if we really needed a bag as it had a carrying handle and, as we left the store, she retreated once more to her sheltered position behind the scenes. For those of you who, like us, are more familiar with the toy shop in the photo, be warned, toy shopping is no longer the eagerly awaited treat.

Stir Up Sunday

Are you ready for Stir Up Sunday? The Sunday before Advent, traditionally the day for making your Christmas pudding, is 28th November. An event with this name was held yesterday at Blenheim Palace and the very name brought back memories of a school where I once taught. The Deputy Head was renowned for recycling his assembly topics and the children regularly reported the appearance of his Stir Up Sunday offering.   The name has nothing to do with the making of Christmas pudding although it acts as a timely reminder that these puddings improve with age and need to be made in advance. The name derives from the Book of Common Prayer which includes a Collect for each week, the Collect for the Sunday before Advent being   "Stir-up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”   It is not difficult to see how the words might be applied to making a Christmas pudding.   Yesterday we were to see how the Victorians made their pudding and learn the tradition behind it. The pudding derived from frumenty, a medieval dish of meat.  Around Christmas it was varied, first with the addition of spices – probably to mask the bad meat – and later prunes or plums. Gradually the fruit and spices took over from the meat element although suet was still used as the fat in the dish. Thirteen ingredients made up the recipe representing Christ and his disciples and the pudding should be stirred from east to west representing the journey of the magi to see the baby Jesus. Coins were added ensuring good fortune to the finder (providing one assumes they did not break their teeth on them first.)   The preliminaries over the pudding was created. All the ingredients had been weighed out into dishes. They were added to the bowl, one by one, as they were ticked off the list. Then the children were given the job of stirring it altogether and having a wish, a privilege also available to adults who wished to take part. How much the Victorians would have recognised I’m not sure. The suet was shredded suet and bore little resemblance to the “fat from the loin area of beef and lamb” we were told were used. The basin was topped off with parchment paper and then a sheet of aluminium foil. Whatever happened to pudding cloths? This was then tied down and a string handle created to ease removal from the pan of boiling water. (The single strand used would have been more of a hazard but one doubts it was actually going to be used anyway.)   The pudding was taken off to the kitchens for its six hours boiling and we were given recipes sheets for the pudding and a slice of Christmas cake to eat. Checking the ingredients I counted fourteen – but that did include the pinch of salt which is really how this should have been taken as a demonstration of Victorian cookery.

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