Majestic Madeira – Funchal
“He’s not going to make it.” I nudged Mr Word Loft in the ribs as I referred to the pilot attempting to land our aeroplane, affected by the Trade Winds. We had been circling above...
Summer Reading
I’m thrilled to have ‘To Catch a Thief’, published in this week’s The People’s Friend. I love the illustration by Jim Dewar so much; it captures the spirit of the story perfectly.
From St Ive to Africa
Intrigued by a leaflet’s content, I picked it up. It advertised The Story of Emily experience, honouring the 19th-century welfare campaigner and humanitarian’s life. The interactive museum is set in the village of St Ive,...
In and Around a Kentish Country Lane
“We are in Provender Lane. Now, where’s our accommodation?” I instantly relaxed knowing Mr Word Loft and I were almost at our destination after a seven-hour trip from Cornwall to Kent. It should have only...
Vineyard Wanderings
An unintended detour led to my discovery of a romantic and unexpected landscape deep in the Cornish countryside. Last autumn, Mr Word Loft and I planned to meet up at Forder to go for an...
Glorious Poppies
Like other flowers, poppies seem to be blooming earlier each summer with climate change. It came to my attention four years ago in May when I was on holiday in Tuscany. I shrilled with joy...
Stepping Back in Time
Enchantment was instant as I walked through the entrance of what must be Cornwall’s first attraction after crossing the border from Devon. Mary Newman’s Cottage imparts a fascinating tale, portraying 16th-century life, especially that of...
Keeping in Touch
I do like to mooch around boot fairs and back in 1999 bought a book with news, hints and stories written throughout 1876/77. I wrote to the Between Friends page in The People’s Friend about...
Pentillie Paradise
“I knew we hadn’t been here,” I said to Mr Word Loft. I pointed out the crenellated rooftop of the grand two-storey building of Pentillie Castle as we veered up the driveway. Before leaving home,...
Unlikely Companions
I attended eight nature poetry workshops, Wild Words Plymouth, over the last two months, and I’m delighted that one of my poems, inspired by a visit to the park, was published by International Times. Unlikely...