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!