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On a lighter note; I have managed to get a few "must do" jobs done. Cupboards have been sorted, the duck house re-floored, and twenty-five rather spindly copper beech hedge saplings planted in the garden. I'll post a photograph when they appear more like a hedge, rather than the boney array of sticks they are at present.
I have always wanted a copper beech hedge. They look so splendid in the autumn, but our previous garden, being half the size of a postage stamp, was never suitable. Here at Number 32 we have a long garden which is somewhat, err, "rustic" in appearance. The hedge will look wonderful with the wild roses, honeysuckle, ivy and the generous supply of weeds; ahem, I meant wild flowers!
Our dog, Rum, made a choice of his own the other day. Fed up with mooching around the stable-yard in search of elusive mice and rats, he decided to take himself off for a walk. All well and good, but we wonder how far into the 6,000-odd acres of Epping Forest he would have got had someone not spotted him gaily trotting down one of the sanded horse rides. Fortunately this person called Kathy on her cell phone and reported he was out on a jaunt, all on his oncey.
Had Rum been carrying a stick with a spotted, knotted handkerchief over one shoulder and wearing big boots I would have been convinced he was off to London Town to audition for a part in the pantomime Dick Whittington and his Dog.
Poor Rum, he was very disappointed to discover that the part was written for a Cat.
As for the plague, we have just gone through the worry of a nasty equine illness putting the stable yard where we keep the horses in quarantine. Strangles. The disease can spread like wildfire and can kill horses - though with modern veterinary practice that is not so common nowadays. Strangles is the equine equivalent of human plague, the mild stage develops to a discharge where phlegm pours from the nose and the glands swell. Horses can literally be strangled as the windpipe is crushed.
Observant on-their-toes fans of my novels will remember that Arthur's horse Onagar had strangles in Shadow of the King . The Romans were indeed all too familiar with it.
The good news, as I write this the last horse that went down with it is now fully recovered and there are no new cases, so we're clear and out of quarantine. Modern knowledge of using antiseptic handwash and not spreading germs paid off.
Having been in quarantine, Kathy has almost missed the qualifying rounds for some of the summer show-jumping finals. One last chance in early March. What's the betting Elswyth (stable name Izzy) loses a shoe or something so we can't go? I have to admit I've not missed getting up early on a Sunday to go jumping though. Still, the long dark days and nights are over. The clocks change at the end of this month - huzzah! British Summer Time. I wonder if we'll get the weather to match?
The sad news is that we lost all three ducks. I miss them dreadfully. A fox got the lot at about 6 in the evening a couple of weeks ago. I'd gone out to give them their supper and decided to leave them out for a few more minutes as it was a nice evening. Went back to usher them into their overnight house - no ducks. A few feathers, that's all. I know foxes also have a right to live, but these are mangy, scruffy, moth-eaten horrible urban foxes, not the beautiful sleek creatures you see in their proper countryside environment. They make a dreadful noise at night, dig up gardens, leave the stink of their "calling cards" everywhere and eat people's pets. Including my ducks. The good news is that the fish in my pond are getting enormous; notice to herons, foxes and prowling cats - stay away from my pond!
The daffodils are peeping up from the ground, my solar lighting in the garden is sometimes on of an evening . and just in case the Biblical scenario continues I have been Googling for "how to deal with locusts".
Mind you, I am quite expecting the pestilence to manifest itself in the form of slugs and snails. Sigh, and I now have no ducks to help with pest control. I hate slugs. I remember as a child going down the garden one night to get my pet rabbit's feed dish. I walked up the garden with it, came into the light - and found it crawling with slugs. The scream could be heard in Scotland I reckon. I think I was about 10. Bunny got moved to the top of the garden the next day. I'd be no good in an Indiana Jones movie, would I?
Talking of which, I hope to have some news of 1066 next month as Robin Jacob, the producer, is coming over to London.
And yes, I am busy writing the next Jesamiah book, Bring It Close. Haven't had much choice. The internet computer, known as Quarterdeck, fell sick with the cyber version of strangles, despite all my firewalls. Thank you to Mal and colleague Pete who valiantly fixed it. Thank goodness I write on a second computer, Atelier, that is not connected to the 'net. Jesamiah is delighted that he's had my undivided attention, but oh, catching up on the back-log of e-mails!
Maybe spam e-mail is the modern-day equivalent of pestilence? God is coming. Look busy! (found on a gravestone)
Scrabble and Kitty are both around 17 years old, but Scrabble is getting very slow and stiff. He can't jump now, and spends most of the day asleep in the dog's basket or on Kathy's bed. He has also gone deaf, so meows at the top of his voice to let me know it's dinner time. That's the cat equivalent of shouting.
I had a lovely day with Robin Jacob, producer of 1066 the movie. We were mostly discussing the script, which is about to be read by several A-List actors. Sorry, can't divulge any names. We then drove to the town of Waltham Abbey, about 15 minutes away, to look at the Abbey and eat lunch. Harold II, of course, founded the first Abbey when he was Earl of Essex. Robin then went on to South Wales to look at locations and talk to various people.
We still need the funding to get this movie into pre-production, but Robin is determined to make it and we have a lot of people interested and many well-wishers. If you have a MySpace account please pop across to the 1066 MySpace and join as a friend - we need as many "friends" as possible.
Got very excited when Robin suggested one well-known actor to play the part of William. He told me to go and take a cold shower and calm myself down. Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up.
My apologies, I have been watching and laughing at the excellent Jeeves and Worcester TV series starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. I may take a couple of P.G. Wodehouse books to read while I am on my 'Adventure of a lifetime' American Tour. I have already decided to cultivate the eccentric and mildly mad English woman image, so sitting giggling to myself will add nicely to the overall impression.
Yes the trip is definitely on. Booked and paid for. The only disappointment is that it is far too costly to cruise back across the Atlantic to finish the trip off. Ruling out rowing I decided to be conventional and fly home instead. I was a little puzzled by the outward scheduled flight; leave Heathrow, London 11.35 a.m. arrive San Francisco 2.45 p.m. A somewhat short journey I thought, until I realised there is a time delay in between. In London time the 2.45 pm will be something nearer 10 pm. (Yes, that might be wrong. I've only guessed at it.
The train across the USA from Salt Lake City to Williamsburg Virginia, via Chicago where I change trains, to Washington DC looks exciting. That's enough about the subject until September when I will tell you all the details after I get back.
Here is a forward warning to readers of this newsletter and my Webmaster: I will be in an aeroplane somewhere above the Atlantic Ocean on the 1st of September, meaning that the Newsletter will be a day or so late next month. Savvy?
May was another hectic month. Kathy fell off her horse and has ended up with her hand and forearm in plaster. Well, strictly speaking, the damage was caused by the show jump wing being crashed into, swinging backwards and clouting her on the hand. Ouch. She has a scaphoid bone injury; the scaphoid being a small bone at the base of the thumb. The bone might be broken but we will not know for certain until the swelling goes down. Has it stopped her riding? No. Has it stopped her jumping? No. It has stopped her being able to use a knife and fork properly though. Dinner time in the Hollick household is now hilarious as she pokes the fork handle up between her plaster-cast-bound fingers and stabs at things with the pronged end. We are getting very inventive with ideas for "finger food". Soup or lashings of gravy are out for a bit.
We did manage to attend our good friend Adam Greenwood's launch of his new novel "Robin of the Wood", which is available now on Amazon.co.uk. Adam may be more familiar to some of you as the lovely guy who dressed as my pirate for my own book launches.
After celebrating in the shop Quest in Ewell, Surrey, UK, we went for a picnic in the woods despite the drizzly rain. We had fun tucking in to the fine repast "Robin" provided, and took plenty of photos. I've posted a few on the album. It wasn't until I had uploaded these to the computer and had a good look that I realised a tree spirit was in one of the pictures. Although he was asleep, he was definitely posing with Kathy, who was dressed as Maid Marian for the occasion, her plaster cast suitably hidden by her cloak. Go to the photo entitled 'Treebeard' - his face is quite distinctive.
I also had a lovely day out with another Robin - Robin Jacob, producer of the movie 1066. We motored down from London to Battle in Sussex, to walk the site where the Battle of Hastings took place. Thank you to Daryl of English Heritage for the warm welcome (no pun intended, it was rather a hot day!) he gave us, and for showing us his fantastic collection of James Bond memorabilia.
The following week saw me in Regent Street, London with Robin again, his assistant producer, Lance, my friend and musician/singer Bronwen Harrison of Alessandro Ponti, who is to be musical director for the movie. Robin took many photographs of the Battle location as I explained various historical details, and a few more in London while we chatted and had coffee with Alessandro. One thing I have got to remember is to stay behind the camera when Robin is filming location shots. I'm not certain Broni and I can stop giggling, though. It's good to laugh, and to not take life too seriously. This movie may not happen - but Robin is doing all he can to make sure it does. But, if not, I'm enjoying the ride.
Broni and I went for a fabulous meal afterwards in a Turkish restaurant. Where we giggled even more and had a good time. Then it was time to wend our weary way home. As I put the key into my front door, hung my coat on its peg and kicked off my shoes, I thought; "I am having the time of my life."
I'm certain I could hear Jeeves in the background saying, "Very good, Madam."
Serious is something you do until you can get happily silly again.
The diet has now lasted two weeks. Honest, cross my heart and spit in yer eye, I have not had any biscuits or cookies - well one last night - no cakes, no honey on toast, no spoonfuls of sugar heaped into my coffee, no sweets and no candy. Just three nourishing meals a day, cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch then dinner in the evening. Have I lost weight? A few ounces even? No. I put ona pound. Dieting? Forget it.
I am sorry to disappoint my patiently waiting Jesamiah fans, but the publication of Bring It Close has been put off until next February. One reason is that it isn't written yet, which, of course, is a fairly important reason. Also, as I am going to be spending a few days in Williamsburg, Virginia during my August American trip, and as there are several scenes in Bring It Close set there, it did seem silly to press on with a story that I knew I would be re-writing when I get home in September.
So February it is folks. I might make up for the disappointment by bringing out Book Four, On The Account, later in 2009 - perhaps around October time. No promises, but I will try my best.
Have been very busy helping Robin Jacob sort out the script for 1066. We are now more or less at the final version and, even if I say so myself, it is looking very good indeed.
I was quite amused a couple of weeks ago while reading an e-mail from someone I recently met on the Internet. We were in chatting about sending of a couple of my books for the auction running alongside the special screening of Pirates of the Caribbean, for actor Marty Klebba's charity CoDA. She had obtained a copy of Harold the King, and was astonished; "Helen it's marvellous. I thought you meant you were just a small time writer, but you're not, you really are a real writer!" Err. yes.
There are a couple of reading recommendations for you this month. My editor and good friend, Jo Field, has had her first novel published. Rogues and Rebels is set in Devon in 1642, during the English Civil War. It is a story of intrigue, passion and betrayal. I was honoured to provide Jo with a quote: 'Rogues and Rebels will keep you up into the early hours wanting to find out what happens next. From the fresh air of Exmoor to the stink that is 17th Century London, Jo Field has created an English Civil War page-turner and a hero to die for!'
There is also a bonus to add to her excellent story. Artist Chris Collingwood has kindly given Jo permission to use one of his exceptional historic art paintings for the cover. His attention to detail is unsurpassed. Have a look at his work and be impressed. Chris has also, as you may know, painted the poster for the 1066 movie. I rather fancy Jo's lead character, Alexander Dynham could be my pirate's grandfather. Now there's a thought.
I have also recently provided a review for Peter St John's Gang Territory . It was a pleasure to read this story, I was hooked from the first paragraph. A tale to delight boys (and girls!) of any age from 8 to 80! Set in war-time Britain, Gang Territory is about a real boy doing real things in a world that was real. The hero is an orphan and is sent from blitzed London to live with his pious spinster aunt in a Suffolk village.
For anyone who has memories of being an evacuee or wants to find out what it was like to grow up during World War II, or just appreciates a good read, this is for you. A book to rival Goodnight Mr Tom, I think. Every school library should have a copy.
On my own Home Front it is hard to believe that our six-day-old foal died two years ago. He was called Springwillow Midsummer Acorn, having been born on Midsummer's Day. How quickly the time passes, and how much has changed between then and now. We have moved house, Kathy has been married - and divorced. On the other hand, more reassuringly, how much stays the same. My garden is looking like a garden at last, Kathy hopes to have the cast off her broken hand next week and I am looking forward to jaunting up to Liverpool in mid-July to enjoy the start of the Round the World Tall Ships Race. Couldn't resist the urge to spend a few days on Merseyside gazing at those beautiful ships.
Wonder if Jesamiah will be there? If he is I'll know where to find him. Somewhere near a quay, in a tavern, drinking rum, with a top-heavy wench on his knee.
Sigh. Top-heavy. Hmm, I seem to have sagged somewhat. My top has given in to gravity and slid to my middle and bottom. Diets. What is the point of jogging up to the Pearly Gates in your trainers and track-suit, all sweaty, out of breath but only a stone or so lighter? I intend to have a bottle of wine in one hand, a bar of chocolate in the other and a smile on my face, shouting, "Whoo-hoo, boy that was fun!"
Right. Pass me that chocolate bar.
Save the Earth: it's the only planet with chocolate.I intend to keep a diary so I will be telling you all my adventures when I get back. I am especially looking forward to meeting all my "cyber friends" - I feel I know them all so well, yet we have never met. And alright, if I am to be honest, I'm looking forward to actually seeing the Pacific Ocean and relaxing in the Jacuzzi that is at the place I'm staying in Salt Lake City. The train ride should be fun. Oh what am I saying - it is all going to be fun!
July started with a talk about pirates at our local Rotary Club's dinner function. I enjoy being guest speaker at these sort of events because the meal is nice, there's no washing up, and the company is congenial. I couldn't believe that I actually forget Nassau Governor Woodes Roger's name during my talk though. My mind went completely blank. Still, I laughed the mistake off, and I had a lovely compliment afterwards when one of the member's wives came up to me and said she so enjoyed my talk as it wasn't all dead-pan serious. "You giggled" she said. "It is so refreshing to hear someone confident enough to laugh even when something goes awry." Confident? Gosh, I must be a better actress than I thought!
A few days after that I was involved in a trans-Atlantic radio interview about King Harold, the Battle of Hastings and the prospective movie. It went well I think. And yes, I giggled.
Kathy went off for a week's holiday - her hand and arm annoyingly still in it's plaster cast. Fortunately, that is now off and the fracture has healed, although she is finding the muscles are weak and there is a lot she cannot do. It was, she said, so nice to be able to at last take a shower without having to stick your arm outside the shower curtain.
The 20th of July found me on a UK train going to Liverpool to see the gathering of the Tall Ships for the 'England to the Netherlands Race'. Ever since 1965, when I fell in love with George Harrison of the Beatles, I have wanted to go to Liverpool. Isn't it strange how it doesn't occur to a twelve-year-old that a rock star is not going to meet you and fall in love? Even stranger when you get to 55 and remember thinking it.
I found Liverpool to be a lovely city. Everyone was friendly and helpful, the place was clean, and so easy to get around. There are few tall building to spoil the skyline, allowing landmarks to be clearly visible. Heading downhill towards the docks I just aimed for the famous Liver Building, while going back to my hotel I made my way towards what looked like London's Nelson's Column (I never did find out about that statue) or asked my way to Lime Street Station.
My hotel was not quite the standard I had anticipated. Being a single room I was put at the back of the hotel with no view except of a brick wall and the chambermaid did not bring me fresh towels or a clean cup on the Sunday morning. Perhaps I should have complained but I couldn't be bothered - well, I was too tired. I had walked for miles up and down the hill that Liverpool straddles and spent one-and-a-half days admiring, along with several thousand other people, more than 60 sailing vessels moored in various docks.
My favourite ship is the Christian Radich. For those who remember the old BBC TV drama the Onedin Line , she was the beautiful white-hulled vessel that was used in the series. I have posted a few pictures in the album. Nothing marvellous I'm afraid, I was using a new camera. Should be more familiar with how to use it by the time I get to the States.
The close of the month sees me in Devon - Barnstaple in fact - at the Torrington 1646 museum of the English Civil War with my good friend Jo Field to launch her novel, Rogues and Rebels. We had a good time dressing up as Cavalier women, chatting to a variety of people - and selling Jo's book. As a bonus I had a chance to meet up again with Devon-based historical artist Chris Collingwood, who provided the cover for the book, and is also involved with the poster design for 1066 the Movie.
Apart from "working" it was lovely to walk along the beach at Instow with Jo and her dogs. Missed my dog Rum though; he loves the sea and has just learnt how to play "fetch" with a ball. Being a few sandwichs short of a picnic, it has taken the poor boy all these years to work out: "If I fetch the ball and drop it, they throw it and I can chase after it and bring it back. It's a good game!" On the other hand, it could be that he's thinking, "For goodness sake I go chasing after it and generously bring it back and what do you do? Yes. Throw it away again." As soon as I get back fom Devon I'll add a few more pictures to the album.
I have just looked at those travel times again. I return to Heathrow on the 2nd September at 06:30 in the morning. 6.30 a.m? I must be totally insane. Oh well, as the Quote of the Month says... but enjoying every minute.
The next newsletter will be a day or so late. As much as I am fond of you I will not be writing up my American adventures until jet-lag has been firmly chivvied away and I find the energy to wade through the hundreds of e-mails that will undoubtedly be waiting for me. So, see you all on the 3rd of September.
I wonder if anyone would notice if I changed the occupation in my passport from 'Author' to 'Demented Scribbler'?
I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.The first is that we have a new "baby" in the family. Her name, officially, is Shinglehall Casino but we call her Lexie - and yes she has four legs, a mane and a tail and neighs. I say we, but she is Kathy's horse - nothing to do with me. I just pat her and feed her apples. Rosie's foal, little Midsummer Acorn, would have been rising three had he lived beyond his six short days. Both Kathy and I decided we did not want to breed Rosie again for she is getting old now, and, to be totally honest, neither of us wanted the worry of a new-born foal again. When Kathy was offered Lexie she jumped at the chance. She is superb, an absolute darling - already 14.2 hands and growing by the minute. Goodness knows how big she will be at maturity, 17 hands at least I reckon. Thank you to Karen at Shingle Hall Stud for sending such a lovely new member into our family.
Secondly, the official 1066 The Film PLC site is up and running. The company has been established to raise funds towards production costs and the new website gives an in-depth overview of the project, including links to the cast and crew already attached, the proposed merchandising, and much more.
I have also been asked by the Producer to pass on this message: "The '1066' production team would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you all the best for the coming festive season."
I echo those thoughts, and sincerely wish you a relaxing and peaceful Christmas. See you in the New Year.
Love is what's in the room at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.