Who would have thought that a cloud of volcanic ash could cause so much chaos? This week, the London Book Fair at Earl’s Court was a little quieter than in previous years. My US publisher couldn’t make it but my amazing German agent managed to get the last train tickets from Zurich and it was wonderful to see her!
Here’s a photo taken from the balcony of the international rights’ floor and it looks as if my new publisher, HarperCollins, still had plenty to keep them busy.
Another gorgeous day in Oxfordshire yesterday. Whilst the husband was busy with his brushes, Molly and I walked along the ridgeway to the white horse at Uffington. It’s so high up and the landscape is so bizarre and doesn’t feel like Oxfordshire at all.
And, always on the look out for one of my favourite flowers, I managed to find some on a woodland walk.
Well, with the rewrites of A Weekend with Mr Darcy done, it was off to Oxfordshire for a much-deserved day out yesterday. My husband wanted to paint the ridgeway and Molly and I went for a walk, heads down into the warm spring wind with skylarks singing above us.
After a car picnic, we headed to Letcombe Regis for another painting and another walk. And Molly wasn’t going to let a stile come between her and an adventure at the hill fort, Letcombe Castle (Segsbury Camp).
And she certainly didn’t mind when her ears blew inside out in the wind.
The hill fort was the perfect vantage point from which to admire the landscape and I was delighted to discover a field full of cowslips just beginning to open. Another Miss Read moment occurred in the village when I spotted a bank full of the elusive white violet.
And the churchyard was a perfect picture of spring with a fine display of daffodils.
Now it’s back to work. My characters are calling me and I really should be working towards giving them all the happy endings they deserve.