There is something magical about the British seaside. I think its because when we get that odd sunny day we all feel a little giddy with excitement. It’s such a treat, you see. And then there are the characters – the good old English eccentrics that give this land its personality. The Morris men, in [...]

On the one sunny day of the year, my son hammered on the front door. ‘Get away from that desk, mother,’ he commanded. ‘I’m taking you to the seaside.’ ‘Okay, I said meekly’ Or something similar. ‘No, I’m serious,’ he said, pulling the plug *literally* So off to Whitby we went… For sand pies… and [...]

I have never been able to understand ‘empty nest’ syndrome. As minimus checked out – again – this morning, I waited and waited until it just burst out of me – ‘Can I crack open the champagne now?’ ‘Champagne!’ she squealed. ‘Oh – thanks so much for reminding me,’ she added on her way to [...]

Holding Whitby – which was fabulous- one of those truly magical days when the sun shone and the ice cream didn’t melt – for this cover. A little disappointed that my heroine doesn’t sport the spiky, alternative hairstyle to complement her spiky, alternative personality, but I’m guessing that an eye patch and short, red streaked [...]

Pathfinders Look out all next week for photographs of the fabulous British seaside – umbrellas, scarves, woolly hats, donkey rides on the beach, ice cream, and most importantly… fish and chips The whole nine yards! Sxx Whitby, here we come. Yay!!!!!!!!!!

Dah dah de dah de…Do you remember that song? My mother used to rock my cradle to it.. Lies, apart, (fantasies, Susan, PLEASE!) I’m wondering if authors feel things more than they should There I was, having lunch with friends who decided they were going to celebrate my USA Today moment with champagne, when my [...]

Yes, this is the new regime. In the interests of speeding up I have promised my editor that I will not write, then rewrite ten thousand times before sending in the manuscript – I will write. Once. Just that. Then send. Aaaargh! Waaaaaaaaaaaah! I’ve just done that and am feeling intensely vulnerable. Goodness knows what [...]

You have to allow me a proud mum/mom moment! Courtesy of Clipper News Another major stepping stone has been crossed in the preparations for the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race. The first Level 2 training courses for new crew members began last week and the crews returned to Clipper HQ with bags of [...]

Not the pampas. But my back yard has plenty of action – and with South American music blasting out – echoing the sound of galloping hooves, coincidentally – I’m right there with my H and h, Nero and Bella. And I have a coffee machine. Bonus! The Betster rules supreme – Paolo tearing his hair [...]

It’s so cool… ‘It’s like joining the marines…’ I can’t be the only mother of a crew member currently training for the Round the World Clipper Race to be pleased about that! I just quoted the last part of my brief phone chat last night with minimus. You’re going to be doing some pretty challenging [...]