I'm back

It's a long drive back to the UK from the Dordogne! I'm sure I'll eventually regain some feeling in my legs but that's only because I'm an incurable optimist.

But, here's the good news - it's raining. Makes the whole thirteen hour drive plus s-l-o-w channel crossing worth it. vbg

I had an absolutely fabulous time. JUST what the doctor ordered. Last summer my husband was mid chemotherapy so we didn't go away. This was designed as a real treat. Time to read, see new places, refresh my imagination and spend time 'just us seven'. It worked on all levels.

So, we began in Normandy - here:



Then went to the Loire - here:



And THEN to a small hilltop village a short drive from Brantome (you know I'd do the accents if I knew how. It's a 'hat' that goes over the 'o'.) in the Perigord region of the Dordogne.



Always assuming my editor doesn't suck in air and announce French heroes have 'limited global appeal' I feel my muse is well and truly tickled.

Now it's back to real life with a bump. I have one day to get my brood ready for school and tomorrow I'm also off to Stotfold Library to give a talk as part of my commitment to the UKs National Year of Reading. 2.30 if you are within reach of Bedfordshire.

Better have a glass of wine and decide what to talk about!

Disappearing ...

I'm about to vanish into the ether for a few days. It's very needful or I wouldn't be doing it.

Currently I'm experiencing a moment of smugness because I have just achieved the impossible. Having had limited access to my internet connection I have managed to tiptoe my way across much debris and have successfully organised a Tesco shop to be delivered to the address I'll be staying at. I think I lost the blasted thing twice. No idea how I did that. But, hey, it's done now and if I can just shoehorn my children into the car tomorrow morning I will be able to escape the chaos of my home.

I am in a more than usual state of muddle btw.

It all started a couple of years ago when we decided to add an extension to our home. Unfortunately the bamboo floor we laid throughout the downstairs was a disaster. It's a long story but the upshot of it all was we needed to take the floorer to court only I got distracted when my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer and my husband's cancer returned. Even now I honestly don't have the emotional energy to take anyone to court. So .......... we've decided to just 'bite the bullet' and sort it out. It's costing thousands! And it's MESSY. Really really messy. I'm currently sitting in rubble.

Fortunately we've been loaned a house. It doesn't have a telephone which means I'll have no distractions and can get on with my book. The downside is that I won't be online to find out what's happening at the RWA conference.

But the prospect of returning to a level concrete floor is sustaining me. I can feel the pressure lifting just knowing I will be able to draw a line and move on. And Trish has promised to text me if I do happen to win a RITA. For that I'm more than happy to be woken up in the middle of the night!

See you soon ...