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.