ALL HALLOWS

 

As the season passes into full autumn, we prepare for ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness’ and mornings are certainly marked by early mist and general dampness.

I feel as though our country is in the grip of an eternal autumn, with many of the wonderful sights, sounds and traditions falling like crumpled leaves to earth, yet with no promise of renewal. Our ways are changing, as are our people. I miss the older generation; their stalwart stoicism, wry sayings, self-deprecation, and good humour. I’m trying not to be miserable, but goodness – it’s hard when every day brings stark, depressing world news and people turn inside themselves. I must try not to be maudlin!

Here are some of the better things going on around here:

The tomatoes are gone; we made a few jars of chutney using them and our own apples and chillis – this is most rewarding. The chutney is supposed to be left for a couple of months before using, but we couldn't wait and have already tried it: the verdict is that we have found a really good recipe! Let me know if you'd like the link.

In the garden the weather has been fairly mild and colour abounds, deeper and richer than the brightness of summer. There is still much work to do, but we managed to create some new hanging baskets to cheer the front of the house, and plant some bowls of tiny crocus bulbs – which are already shooting! 

A visit over the county border to a lovely Cornish garden centre led to the purchase of plants for the hanging baskets, together with a couple of little ornamental trees and some heathers.

And the fuchsias are still going strong!

My writing has been a huge – yet enjoyable - struggle. I’m almost finished, but the climax of this third book has been the most difficult thing I have ever written. Perhaps I have made it too complicated? Readers will tell me! I need to begin to think about fussy things like formatting and covers, so we are almost done. Today is All Hallows' Eve, when people talk of ghosts and spirits. Some of these take on a new dimension in my book, and I can't wait to hear people's thoughts and comments, so when it is finished and published, I will let you know.

Books to recommend? Well, I haven’t been reading as much as usual because the writing has taken up so much of my time. But here are a couple of highlights, and some lowlights:

‘The Last Word’ by Elly Griffiths is a ‘murder/mystery’ guaranteed to cheer you up. My review:

Elly Griffiths writes such great books, and this is no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. There are a lot of characters, many suspects and almost too much information to follow through the twists and turns of the plot. But it is the vividly portrayed Edwin, Benedict and Natalka who are so engaging, and I was delighted not to be left on a cliff-edge at the end. Five stars, and a best in year. Highly recommended. Would I read it again? Definitely!

‘Goodnight Vienna’ by Marius Gabriel is a most unusual novel set mostly in Vienna in 1937, a dangerous time for any foreigner to visit. I commented: ‘Superb, terrifying, unputdownable. Highly recommended, but not for the faint-hearted! Five glittering stars. Would I read it again? Not for a while!

I decided to revisit Jeffrey Archer, whose books I enjoyed many years ago when he began to write. The latest series about D I Warwick is not for me. I found the two books I tried dated and clichéd. Admittedly I read books 3 and 4 rather than the first two, but I won’t be trying those!

Resolutions: do not listen to the News, keep gardening whenever possible, and enjoy the season's colours, scents and sounds. There is so much to smile about, and I hope you can find the same wherever you are. All best wishes!

CHANGING AND DIFFICULT TIMES

 

It’s official! The arthritis in my hands – or more specifically the fingers of my right hand – has been X-rayed and diagnosed, and I’ve seen a physiotherapist. I’ll skip the details, but I am now armed with tips from the brilliant Sally on how to cope, new gadgets to help me open tins etc. and the joyful knowledge that I can have as many tea breaks as I like when gardening! 

Gardening – or more specifically, using secateurs and weeding, as well as typing and playing the piano are three of the most painful activities in my daily life. I haven’t including housework, because my wonderful husband is now taking over some of these tasks. And being me, I still get out the hoover and battle with cleaning the bath despite the pain! You can’t change the habits of a lifetime, although you can try to adapt.

For the typing, I’m back to using my ‘clicky’ keyboard, which for some reason is the most comfortable to use as well as making me feel I’m progressing. (The photo shows it with all its lights on, but the novelty of that has worn off!)

After about five minutes I find a rhythm, and the really painful joints have decided to comply. They’ve had to, as I’ve been making great progress with the third book in the last few months, and it’s nearly finished. Perhaps I keep repeating this final phrase, but it’s important to get the ending right and I’ve had to re-write some of it.

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For many of us this has been a difficult year for all kinds of reasons. Here in the garden the seasons have been a bit haywire and the temperature has gone up and down like a yo-yo! The Dahlias have all except one been very late to flower, but they are always a joy. Another joy has been the deep blue of my hydrangea ‘cuttings’ which have matured into fine plants.

In the greenhouse the tomatoes are taking a very long time to ripen, and as usual I have grown far too many plants. The bonus of doing this is, I hope, that I will be able to freeze them for the winter - if and when they ripen!

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READING: I have two recommendations for you. The first is 'Munich Wolf' by Rory Clements. This is set in Bavaria in the 1930s, an unusual thriller about a policeman who is also a member of the Nazi party. I was both fascinated and horrified, hugely informed about the place and the period, and completely engrossed. 

The second recommendation is 'The Dentist' by Tim Sullivan. This is part of a series, but can be read on its own.  A gripping crime thriller, it features DS George Cross of Somerset and Avon Police, a fascinating and beautifully portrayed protagonist who proves to be a challenge to the police hierarchy because he is on the spectrum. He is a loner, he is close only to his father, Raymond, and his social skills leave a lot to be desired. The author handles the difficulty of portraying such a character with ease. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

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FINALLY, after years of thinking about it, I’ve extended my writing to something a little more gritty and made a first post on the platform ‘Substack’. You may or may not like or agree with what I say, but here’s the link if you want to read it. Let me know what you think, if you do!

https://pruestopford.substack.com/p/right-or-wrong

I hope the rest of the summer is kind to us and that we will find time to relax and enjoy some spare moments in gardens, parks, or peaceful places where we can wind down. Look after yourselves!

WET WEATHER

 Here in my corner of Devon, as in much of the UK, we are getting used to being soaked. Almost a quarter of the way through 2024 finds this garden a sea of spongy grass/moss, fading daffodils bowed down with raindrops, and a general air of melancholy. However most weeks have about one rain-free day, so little by little as the plants move into their Spring stage, we are beginning to get things done. I  nip outside with the camera whenever there's a dry interval.

The lawn has been mown, and yesterday I managed to carry out some overdue pruning of the climbing roses, all of which have been responding most enthusiastically to the wet weather! Don't look too closely at the photograph, because I've only given this one a light prune.

One more delight: our pear tree. Ever since we bought the pear tree, each successive Spring has seen frost destroy its blossom. This year: so far so good, there is blossom, and - fingers crossed - no sharp frosts. Don't hold your breath!

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We visited our son's house last week. This is in the process of being sold, so we were helping clear out the shed, but I took some time out to take some photographs. What was once a difficult, steep bank covered in weeds, was a picture of beautiful periwinkles.

 He has dotted other plants around, but has dug out the fuchsia I gave him a few years ago and we have potted it up back here in my garden for safe-keeping. This plant is the 'grandchild' of one originally owned by my father. I have one too, and they are very special to us. I'm sure other people inherit plants which they try to keep going after the original owners have died, and I find it comforting to imagine my father's surprise that the plants have outlived him for over forty years! Here's mine in full flower last October:

He also has an excellent crop of rhubarb, which unfortunately I forgot to raid before we left!

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Days out are few and far between in this weather, so I have devoted the last three months to a marathon session of writing my third book. It's nearly finished - or at least, the end is in sight. It has been an exhausting marathon of mental exercise, but one which I have absolutely loved doing, and I feel sure my readers will enjoy it. There's a little way still to go, with editing etc. so I will need to continue working hard to get it published in the Autumn, which is my hope.

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Speaking of reading, I have a book recommendation for you: 'TRUSTEE FROM THE TOOLROOM' by Neville Shute. Here are a brief description and my Goodreads review:

'Keith Stewart is an ordinary man. However, one day he is called upon to undertake an extraordinary task. When his sister's boat is wrecked in the Pacific, he becomes trustee for his little niece. In order to save her from destitution he has to embark on a 2,000 mile voyage in a small yacht in inhospitable waters. His adventures and the colourful characters he meets on his journey make this book a marvellous tale of courage and friendship.

This was Nevil Shute's last novel, published 1st January 1960, and written right at the end of the 1950s when life in Britain was a world apart from today. My parents owned this book, and I believe I now have it packed away somewhere - I didn't read it, because the title sounded dull. I missed something incredibly special, and I now have another lifetime best in my collection.

How to describe what makes this such a wonderful read? Well, it's not only the setting and the (now) historical interest of daily life at that time; the extraordinary ease with which a person who has never before left his country could, for reasons of integrity seldom seen nowadays, drop everything and go; and the fantastic descriptions of a trip half-way round the world. What makes this story rise above so many others is the portrayal of the characters, many of whom are so likeable. The simplicity of life in that era, the trustworthiness of so many people, and their ability to circumvent great difficulties - all of these touched my heart and made me yearn for a way of life gone and forgotten.

Five glittering stars. Would I read this again? Need you ask! Highly recommended, and a book to remember.'

If you can get hold of a copy, this would make a great read over Easter, especially if the weather continues to be as wet as it's been today!

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I wish all of you a very HAPPY EASTER! Look after yourselves, and don't forget to let me have your comments and tips which I always enjoy.

WINTER SOLSTICE

Suddenly it’s here: the shortest day. This year December seems to have dragged, long dreary damp days, wet days, soaking days… Devon in December receives a milder climate than other parts of Britain, but sometimes in return we only see rain. Plymouth is four degrees west of London, so the sun sets later. Even so, I’m longing for the days to begin to lengthen and the freshness of a New Year. 

Last week we visited Cotehele, a National Trust property just over the border in Cornwall, where each year they create and hang a massive garland of dried flowers. I feel certain I’ve posted photos of this before, but such a wonderful sight can never be over-repeated, so here are more photos, including some of the lovely house and garden. I also snapped a warm fire burning in the huge fireplace there (above).

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Christmas approaches rapidly, and for the first time in ages I'm making lists and preparations. This year only four of us will sit around the table, but for each of us the day is a highlight of the year, especially if that year has been difficult or challenging, as I imagine will be the case for many people. Perhaps this is a good time to remember Christmases past, dear long-dead friends and relations, and also people with whom we have lost touch. 

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My reading year 2023 is almost over, and Goodreads congratulated me on hitting my target of 70 books a couple of weeks ago. 

Best book of the year: 'Act of Oblivion' by Robert Harris (about post-civil war Britain and America, and the hunting down of the men who executed the King). Runners up: 'A Winter Grave' by Peter May, 'Kingdom of Strangers' by Zoe Ferraris and 'The Island Home' by Libby Page. I recommend all four. Out of the seventy quite a few were not good choices, and a couple I simply could not finish. Not all books to which famous people give outstanding reviews are necessarily as good as they make out!

Here is my full list in the Challenge if you are interested:  

My Goodreads Challenge 2023!

Finally: the garden in December. Nothing worth seeing here, but of course I'll post a couple of photos:

These were taken at the beginning of December when some sharp frosts hit, and I just had time to move most of my tender plants into the greenhouse, although it was a bit of a scramble.

To end on a positive note, I spotted this little clump of daffodils flowering in the garden at Cotehele. I've never seen such an early - or perhaps late - blooming, but Cornwall is famous for its daffodils, so maybe it's not so unusual there in a sheltered spot. I love seeing the emergence of their green tips in January, and some are already peeping up in my own garden here, so Spring cannot be too far away.

A very HAPPY CHRISTMAS to you all, and the hope for better times (and weather) once the New Year arrives. Enjoy yourselves!

CLIMBING

 A lot has happened since I last wrote, but I want to begin by talking about climbing. I don’t mean the sort of serious rock climbing where you see people hanging on ropes dressed in protective outfits. Hill climbing is gentler, but can still be an effort. We – and I probably mean I – decided to visit the Malvern Hills a few weeks ago. For those of you unfamiliar with this feature, the hills and the town of Great Malvern which is situated below them, are part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with scenic views over both Herefordshire and Worcestershire. When I was a child we visited several times, my younger brother and I racing our parents to the hilltops and running up and down along the ridges, revelling in the fresh air and freedom. My father knew the hills well, and my parents spent their honeymoon there, although at the end of November I cannot imagine the weather being particularly good! 

But I digress. I had a sudden urge to climb the hills again, to the very top, as I had done so many years before, and while I still could. My other half had never done this, so was keen to give it a go. We managed to find one of those bargain breaks in a good hotel in the centre of the town, from where you can begin your climb almost at once. We took the route of the ‘Ninety-nine Steps’ which in itself may sound daunting. My recently purchased walking shoes took these in their stride, and the next bit of the climb took us up to a spot called St Ann’s Well, where you can sit for a while, and there is a cafe for tea and food. 

St Ann's Well

We didn’t want to linger there, and began to make our way up the long climb to the top. I say ‘climb’, and everyone we met coming down described it as a ‘climb’, but at no point to you need to pull yourself up with your hands. It’s the fairly steep gradient up which you are walking, and it becomes very apparent when, as I did, you are forced to stop to catch your breath. I had to do this several times, (asthmatic, but otherwise moderately fit,) but was so determined to reach the top that nothing and no-one would have stopped me! My other half had no such problems, patiently waiting each time I took a break.

Eventually the trees fell away and the summit began to feel closer and closer. Finally we reached it! I can hardly find the words to describe how wonderful it felt to stand in the wind and gaze out across the landscape to the horizon on all sides. There is a heady rush of exhilaration more potent than champagne ever could be. 

View east from Sugarloaf Hill with North Hill far right

We climbed to the top of the Sugarloaf Hill, which is not the highest. I didn’t have the energy for North Hill or The Beacon, which were further away and demanded more energy. We were quite happy with our views of Worcestershire to the East and Herefordshire (and Wales) to the West.

Easterly view showing Wales in the distance

View West showing The Beacon and kite fliers

Our descent using a different route, whilst less laborious, became more difficult where it had rained the previous day and was muddy in parts. Other people climbing both up and down were both friendly and helpful, one man in particular who was (astonishingly) wearing only sandals on his feet preceded us down the steepest and most difficult part of our descent, shouting out warnings and encouragement. Such people are gems. We in turn gave encouragement to others making the climb and finding it daunting. You wouldn’t want to turn back, as you would miss an experience unlike any other, and these days we need moments of sheer uplifting happiness to help us through troubled and difficult times.

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Back at home, and for the garden it's been a Summer of ups and downs, both in terms of temperature, sun and rain, and growth. In the greenhouse, the tomatoes have excelled themselves! This year I've concentrated more on 'heritage' tomatoes and my goodness they are huge and very tasty indeed. The plants themselves have been difficult to raise in terms of the June heat and a ban on using hosepipes (from May, and ongoing) meaning that all watering has been using cans which is heavy work. We spent a week in France, and are truly grateful to our wonderful neighbour Denise who single-handedly watered the tomatoes every day and saved their lives.

In the main garden it's been a bit hit and miss. My 'Annabelle' hydrangea was almost destroyed by high winds and rain in July, and it's been very sad to watch its broken flower heads lose their beauty and begin to go brown.

In contrast other hydrangeas have withstood the weather, as have the dahlias, some of which have bloomed superbly!

And speaking of climbing, my climbing rose has performed admirably:

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I have two book recommendations for you. I read these in sequence, purely accidentally, but discovered a link between them although they are totally unalike.

The first is: 'The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox' by Maggie O'Farrell. I quote from a reviewer on Goodreads who sums up all of my own thoughts:

'Hard to believe there was a time when a young girl or wife or mother could be committed to a psychiatric institute indefinitely just on the say so of a doctor, a mother, a jealous sister, a father or a husband. But there was. The writing in this book is deceptively simple and oh so elegant. The characters real and complete, using flashbacks and memories. The ending... for me, perfect.'

The theme of the story sent a shiver down my spine. The world of the 1930s is nearly a century ago, when people could be unbelievably cruel and self-centred. Esme is committed to a psychiatric institute and remains there for sixty years, until the unit is closed and a relative who can take her is discovered. There's a huge twist to the story, and I found it both astonishing and riveting.

The second is: 'Kingdom of Strangers' by Zoe Ferraris. The book's description says: 'Kingdom of Strangers is a suspenseful story of murder and deception among Saudi Arabia's shaded alleys, gleaming compounds and vast lonely deserts.' 
What this doesn't tell you about the story is the struggle of a young woman, one of very few on the Jeddah Police Force, to be herself and do her job in a shuttered and repressive society. Her 'entrapment' is a kind of link to the first book. If you decide to read them both, let me know if you find the same link, and what you think - I will be most interested. Both books are superbly crafted and written, and I will definitely read them again.

Life is like climbing. You make the efforts and you reap the rewards, and it can be very hard. And then: you still have to climb down again! Look after yourselves, and I'll try not to take so long before I write the next piece.

Favourite Dahlias in July