The last time I wrote here was back in August and I'm not going to mention the weather.
As I look back in my diary I see that at the end of that month I had a quick visit to London and the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Brilliant as always. Then home in time for a lunch that same week at the Burstwick Golf Club in Holderness which was held in aid of the Hull Memory Clinic. Also a telephone interview on the same day with one of my favourite personalities of BBC Radio Humberside, Carl Wheatley. We had a good chat, a few laughs and a talk about my upcoming new book The Innkeeper's Daughter.
Later that month, a visit to the dentist, and the hairdresser, I'm sure you want to know this and then a week of cat sitting, or at least cat visiting whilst my daughter and partner were on holiday. Twice a day a cat cuddle which was so satisfying for both of us.
Wednesday the 5th September an evening at the Hull History Centre for the start of a festival which I was going to miss as I was off on holiday the following day. However, I didn't want to miss the launch of this special festival and I managed to catch up with various people who over many years have been important to my work; in no special order, David Alexander Smith who spent many years at Hull Central Library and the Hull History Centre, Dr Robb Robinson and Dr Alec Gill, both well known historians as well as many others. It was such an interesting evening and I'm so glad that I made the effort to be there, in spite of not having finished my holiday packing.
Then the following day off to Sicily, land of glorious sunshine and ancient monuments. A wonderfully interesting if exhausting holiday.
Whilst I was away, just in case I'd given any thought of slacking, plans were afoot by the delightful people who look after my marketing and publicity, to prepare for two pre launch readings from the new book, and an invite to the launch of the Beverley Literature Festival.
A gave a lecture at Holderness Grange, and attended a meeting of RNA northern authors in Beckwithshaw where we heard a fascinating talk on the life of author Alan Wilkinson. I've known Alan for twenty eight years when we first met at a writers' workshop when we were pre published and embryo writers; he has led an amazing and varied life.
What else? An interview by a Hull Daily Mail journalist for the said new book and oh yes, several thousand more words for next year's novel. Next week the preparation for the readings begin and the following week is -- launch week!
