Corona Diary: Lockdown Continues

Last week started off gloomily with instructions from my local police force - and other police forces - that the UK lockdown meant people weren't allowed to drive even a short distance to find open space to exercise.  The thought that I'd be breaking the law if I drove  somewhere nearby to stomp through woods… Continue reading Corona Diary: Lockdown Continues

Corona Diary: Possibly Week 3 – but are you counting?

I'm not sure if this strange time had a proper beginning and I certainly can't see its end.  This week I haven't wanted to be online much even though there has been an explosion of people offering online workshops, readings and classes.  I've been slightly ill and still feel under the weather but I'm  sure… Continue reading Corona Diary: Possibly Week 3 – but are you counting?

Corona Diary: One Week In

Things I've done this week for the first time in my life: attended a webinar about what older women want to read (unfortunately I kept losing my internet connection). went to my writing fiction class via Zoom (never heard of it before).  Overheard comments: "I should've worn make-up!" "I'm not switching my camera on because… Continue reading Corona Diary: One Week In

Corona Diary – Day One

Hello out there, dear readers.  I thought I'd share with you how I'm getting used to living in the new normal of a global pandemic.  As yet, our household of four adults isn't showing any signs of having the virus - no continuous coughing or high temperatures.  Our daughter is a student at Oxford University… Continue reading Corona Diary – Day One

Summer is whizzing by

Summer is whizzing by and my head is filling up with to do lists.  At this point, they are mild-mannered and patient lists, humming softly to themselves as summer ripens around them, but once they cotton-on to shrinking daylight and cooler winds, once they catch sight of the date on the calendar and the dying… Continue reading Summer is whizzing by

Finding a hand-built lathe on my daily walk

When I was on the Aldeburgh Eight Advanced Poetry Seminar at Bruisyard Hall last November with seven other poets, I was encouraged to go for a walk every morning at nine o'clock.  When I say 'encouraged' I mean that the eight of us, in pairs, whatever the weather, were turfed out of the house for a thirty… Continue reading Finding a hand-built lathe on my daily walk

Translation Study Day with MPT

I had an amazing day at the Queen's College, Oxford on Saturday, 14th May, taking part in Modern Poetry in Translation's Study Day to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the magazine. In the morning participants could choose two, from eight, workshops, then there was a break for lunch (and delicious it was, too). It was extremely… Continue reading Translation Study Day with MPT