Category Archives: Scotland

The Case of the Budgie in the Garden…

When I was a small child, my parents were enthusiastic potato-growers. At least my father was, I’m not sure Mum was quite as passionate about it but she did her bit bravely. We lived in a cottage flat with a … Continue reading

Posted in books, Life in Switzerland, My books, Scotland, The Writing Life, travel | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Alison Gray and Peony Rose…

Alison Gray is no stranger to my blog, so I was really pleased last week to hear she had released Peony Rose, the final instalment of her DS Abby Foulkes crime series. Getting this book finished is in itself a … Continue reading

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Google searches this week…

The internet is a blessing when you’re writing a book. I often wonder how writers managed before the www was part of daily life. For your main research, it’s usually more helpful to go and look at whatever you need … Continue reading

Posted in books, Life in Switzerland, My books, Scotland, The Writing Life | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Sweet ‘n’ Sour books from…Scotland

I spent the first twenty-two years of my life in Scotland, so a sweet ‘n’ sour post from north of the border is a must. Mind you, it wasn’t until I came to Switzerland that I met Alison Baillie and … Continue reading

Posted in books, Scotland, The Writing Life, travel | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

The Wolf of Dalriada

A few weeks ago I met Elizabeth Gates on Facebook, and when I heard that her new book The Wolf of Dalriada was set in my old home country, Scotland, I had a closer look. Isn’t it a lovely cover? … Continue reading

Posted in Guest Posts, Scotland | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Book news… 📚

There’s a new book on the way here in N.E. Switzerland. My current full-length novel project has been chuntering along slowly, its progress slightly hampered by bringing out my novella series. However, a couple of weeks ago I signed a … Continue reading

Posted in books, My books, Scotland, The Writing Life, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Home is… (complete in your own words…)

Home is where the heart is, traditionally. Nowadays, opinions differ. Home is where your other half (and presumably also your heart?) is? That’s a bit dangerous, imo. Home is where your favourite armchair is? Nope. My favourite armchair is a … Continue reading

Posted in Scotland, travel | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Up the Scott Monument…

Every time the boys and I go to Edinburgh, someone says, ‘Shall we go up the Scott Monument?’ We don’t often – sometimes it’s shut, sometimes the weather isn’t suitable, and then there’s that narrow spiral staircase with 287 steps … Continue reading

Posted in Scotland, travel | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Ah yes – I remember it well…

Or maybe I don’t. It’s half a lifetime ago since I lived in Scotland, but I always love going back for a few days, catching up with friends and family and re-visiting some of my old haunts. I’ve just spent … Continue reading

Posted in Scotland | 6 Comments

I don’t believe it!!!

It was a real Victor Meldrew moment. The first of two, actually. There I was in Switzerland a couple of months ago, rooted to the spot in our nearest big-town washing machine retailer, eyes popping and mouth hanging open… But … Continue reading

Posted in Life in Switzerland, Scotland, travel | Tagged , , | 10 Comments