Photos taken in Bath over that glorious Easter weekend. Bert was a city dog for a while. It's not his best mode to be honest. There's a lot of pulling and looking about for his people. Here we are waiting for the biggest boy to take some photos of Pulteney Bridge. Dogs were not allowed, so we sat under a tree and people-watched for a while.
Yesterday the cricket and football season overlapped. I took the dog for an evening walk down lanes lined with cow parsley while the biggest boy bowled some balls at people and they hit some sixes. It was a blissful evening, all soft sunlight and birdsong and frothy white blossom. We bumped into our whippet friend and did some wild running until we could run no more.
I have been feeling a little out of sorts lately. I can't quite put my finger on why, there is absolutely no reason for it. But the rhythms of life tend to be up and down and no doubt it will all swing along sooner or later. In the meantime I am amassing an unfeasibly large pile of books to be read. I find them somehow comforting, or maybe it's just a thing I do when I'm out of sorts. A sort of twenty-first century survival thing. So long as I have books, pens, notebooks and bags to carry them in I'll survive the apocalypse - that sort of thing.
I am contemplating a Kindle. One of the ones that is just an e-reader - I don't need it to be all-singing, all-dancing. Although I wouldn't mind being able to listen to a podcast on it, if such a thing was possible.
I went to a local literary festival at the weekend, and it was excellent. So very inspiring to hear indie authors talking about writing and publishing their fiction. I am full of spring enthusiasm now, and on the home stretch of a first draft. Then there's just the rewrites, edits, rewrites, proofreading, cover, publishing, marketing, oh, and write the next one. So I'm basically almost a novelist.
How is everything with you? Spring energy kicking in? Or whiffling around under a pile of books? Either way I am sending you good thoughts.
More like whiffling under a pile of books than bouncing with spring energy.... although I can't decide which one of the books to read. I am very excited to hear that you are on the homestretch for your first draft, I'll be front of the queue when your book is out. Bath looks like a beautiful place to visit on a sunny day. One day I'll go. I realise that I say that every time you show us stunning photographs of the city... I rather like my Kindle after a period of getting used to it. It saves so much luggage space when travelling. Not that I travel a lot but you know, it would. I share mine with the youngest, he loves it. He always changes the font size to ridiculously large, just for fun and because he knows I haven't figured out how to change it back. It doesn't play podcasts unfortunately, or audiobooks, which are by far my favourite mode of "reading". I hope you feel yourself soon. In the meantime, I hope you find some quality writing time to finish your first draft xx
ReplyDeleteOh, I do love Bath, and you certainly had the weather for it. I'm a 'proper' book person myself, and make a big show of looking down my nose at hubby's Kindle - he takes it to work on the train. I do rather envy it when we go on holiday though and half my case is taken up with books while he looks on smugly! Can't wait to read your novel. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazingly historic place.. I wondered if they have a rule not to have flower baskets out their windows.. it looks kind of sterile in a way. I'd have flowers and flags and something colorful out my window.. lol. I look forward to you being a published author and I will buy your book to read on my iPad. We had an amazing sunset this evening from our caravan.. 2 more sleeps and we'll be heading home. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried Acupuncture - very good for realigning yourself at times of seasonal change. I can highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI’d buy your book too. I think you have a market right here on your blog alone. We are following each other around- we were in Bath a month ago for the half marathon. Such a beautiful place. T and P are like Bert when they visit towns - eyes agog. Hope you feel light again soon xx
ReplyDeleteOh, how exciting – an actual novel?!!! Gosh, well done. I'll buy it and look forward to reading it. Lovely photos of beautiful Bath. My brother went to university there and I loved visiting him. Bert looks quite calm in the photo. My dog is definitely not a town dog; she can't cope with all the people and traffic and noise. Hope your equilibrium is restored very soon xx
ReplyDeleteLovely city! Love it. Whenever I go there I seem to be with someone who doesn't know how to mooch and meander! I need to go by myself for a couple of days. The last time we were there, there was a parade, which was great! So lively and colourful.
ReplyDeleteI'll buy your book when it's out.
Nice post and pictures. Since life is generally a bit of a roller coaster I suppose that we should expect to be out of sorts occasionally, I know that I do. Books are essential, along with tea and biscuits. I have a Kobo ereader which I rarely use as I much prefer books.
ReplyDeleteI'm busy plotting but still finding time to read. Happy writing xx
I always envy you your proximity to Bath; such a glorious city, although I can imagine Bertie not being too impressed. The cricket sounds blissful as does the large pile of unread books. What more could you want. Good luck with the book, I’m saving my pennies to buy a first edition. B x
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed the photos of Bath. I haven't been to very many places in the UK, but I did visit Bath about 40 years ago and recognized it right away. It does give a sense of security to have books piled up and ready to read. I know the feeling well. You always have a place to lose yourself. Looking forward to reading your book when it is published!
ReplyDeleteChanging of the season often precipitates a funk for me. Can't imagine why it would happen in spring but it does. I hope you pull out of it soon.
ReplyDeleteA Kindle, definitely. I have a paperwhite without the bells and whistles, and after six years of constant use, it would be the first thing I grab in case of the apocalypse. With a Kindle and a zombie flame thrower in your pocket, you can go anywhere!
Lovely photos of Bath. Looking forward to your book!
I use my iPad as a Kindle reader as I use it for reading blogs and watching YouTube and lots of other things too. It’s great to have so many books that don’t need bookshelf space.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of Bath. I haven't been for ages. And what exciting news about your book. I will be first in line too!
ReplyDeleteLate comment, sorry. Non-singing, non-dancing, audiobook-compatible Kindle is a thing of beauty and delight! Great for listening to while knitting/crocheting while kids do sport :) And the usual ability to carry around hundreds of books in one small package. AND! to buy the next one in the middle of the night :)
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, please keep doing it and the novel.