Immersion in Firenze

Immersion in Firenze

“You may have the universe, if I may have Italy.” – Guiseppe Verdi  From the dazzling but functional, gleaming white washing-machines adorning the balconies of small suburban apartments, to Michelangelo’s hugely sublime pristine white marble...
Loss and grief

Loss and grief

In 2015/16, I lost nine people from my life, from my big brother to my good friend’s daughter, and many friends somewhere in between, some close. People asked how I coped. My answer probably came across as flippant but wasn’t meant that way: “Well,...
Parc Garland update

Parc Garland update

As any reader of my book will know, Parc Garland on The Lizard, was the home of Pamela Colman Smith for around 20 years. When I first visited, it was dilapidated but also a creamy buttermilk colour, rather striking, but never seen by Cornwall Council as an house of...
Pamela Colman Smith reviews:

Pamela Colman Smith reviews:

The reviews are quite an interesting mix, some positive, some less so. It strikes me that people review books based upon their personal preferences and I thank everyone who has taken the time to review my book publicly because it helps others to decide whether it is...
Covid contentment?

Covid contentment?

During the Covid-19 ‘lockdown’, you could say I have been content. I haven’t written much but I have also had no real demands on my time to concern myself with, other than freelance work, of course. ‘Content’ is not a word I usually associate...
Damnable dementia …

Damnable dementia …

Here’s one written when my mother was still alive and which I’ve since updated …the experience I describe here became a distant memory as my mother’s vascular dementia progressed. Dementia is a demon who created a woman I disliked, dreaded seeing, but felt...