Swallows...

for Knots in the String...

The swallows are back.

They’re called Welcome Swallows because sailors would see them and know land was not far away. How apposite then that my first sight this season was as the terrier and I walked the beach this week. A pair swooped back and forth with such evident joy.

They seem to be early – but perhaps they can read the climate better than I. Suffice to say the sun gleamed on their rusty faces and I knew then that warmer weather was finally on its way. It’s all about hope, isn’t it? Better weather, summer, and a host of little Welcomes dipping and diving along the beach, flying close enough for my bare legs to feel the air move. Close enough to tease the dog and for the dog to be quite benign about them.

And this week, as we walked with the terrier and starlight prickled and danced from a black ink sky, an owl flew past my husband – low enough for the dog, whose night sight is deteriorating, to sense the bird and track its flight path to a nearby post where it sat examining us with evident (and wise) interest.

It’s these sorts of encounters that make me glad to be alive. To see nature so up close, personal and spontaneous is such a privilege. And these two encounters served to turn a couple of murky days into something that sparkled and for which I was grateful. Gilded subtly by the spring garden which is colouring up like a woman blushing after a compliment.

My time:

Part of the week has been running the gamut between words and how they are perceived. Words can create immeasurable joy and words can wound and cause pain. Words have almost deadly nuclear power as much as they have magic. Just watch the progression of international relations if you don’t believe me.

Importantly for me, words are the tools by which a writer creates wonder. I collect words - I love to find a word and discover its meaning, roll it round in my mouth, and potentially use it in my writing. This week’s word is gallimaufry (medley of things. Bit like this week’s newsletter). Last week’s, after really enjoying being interviewed for the international podcast Rock Paper Swords, was serendipity (unexpected goodluck).

Once, I read a wonderful fantasy series – The Bitterbynde Trilogy by Cecilia Dart Thornton and apart from a faceted narrative and stupendous world-building, it was like mining diamonds. At one point, I had 100 words I had never heard before, and I spent an afternoon with the OED. I was so much the richer afterward.

Time this last week too, to be cultural, glamming up to go to a performance of Swan Lake by the Royal Czech Ballet. Tears in the eyes at the sheer beauty of music and choreography.

Cultural too at my own ballet class – it’s a rather profound feeling to feel one’s old body stretching through a glissade into an aged arabesque.

For the rest of my time – walking the terrier through a pine forest with our steps cushioned by eons of needles, brushing against blackwoods, wattles and fledgling eucalypts, seeing the acid yellow pom-poms of the wattle and trying to avoid its acrid pollen odour.

Time to write too. LOVING writing the new fantasy - The Mapmaker’s Scroll. It’s been many years since I’ve written a fantasy.

I had a little time as well, to cook a decadent Ottolenghi chocolate cake. O-M-G!!!

In addition, I meditate daily. It gives a sense of peace and balance.

Reading:

The Last Stitch. Goodness – did I write that? I’m actually enjoying it…

Not much else, because I’ve been too tired to focus on a page with any great success. I only read at night, and I pay the price.

Still trying to make up my mind on what to listen to on audio. As I’ve now listened to two heavy contemporaries, I think I need some good old-fashioned historical action! Any suggestions?

Oh! I did a pre-listen (for approval) to the upcoming podcast on Rock Paper Swords of the interview by Matthew Harffy and Steven McKay. I fluffed the occasional line but hope it will pass muster with all the readers and writers in Bookland. I had such fun doing it – so here’s to its success for the chaps’ sake. As mentioned last week – I’ll advertise time and date of replay.

Substack Reads:

Gosh, these people have the power to waft one away on the wings of beautiful words and ideas. This has been one of the most exciting finds this year. One mostly always has the option for a free subscription (paying if one wants extra and deeper deliveries.) Nearly all the ones I read are free subs and for that I’m grateful. My own will remain free for as long as I conceivably can because times are tough, so hurrah to Substack.

Here’s my recommends for this week:

Watching:

Still more of The Durrells for Light Ent.

Fully invested in re-visiting all of the series of Spooks. We binged last night. It was spellbinding, heart-stopping stuff. Now into Series 3 - Tom Quinn has left (so sad!) and Adam Carter has moved into MI5 from MI6. Others may not agree but I find the geo-political stuff so relevant, even now, bearing in mind these were produced in the early 2000’s.

Try not to watch news and current affairs on TV because I just get cynical and mouth off at the screen. Waste of time and energy.

So that’s it from me (hoping another clear spring day will open up – Virgin-blue and filled with the heady scents of blossom and unfolding flora).

We’ll check the boat to make sure the motor still starts after the winter break and that the wet winter hasn’t covered the craft in mould. Lambs will slip unprotesting onto burgeoning green pasture from relieved ewes, husband will mow our lawns, I’ll plant a grapevine and a clematis, and terrier and I will walk somewhere nice.

I’ll use our bumper lemon crop in as much as I can think of – lemon butter, lemon syrup, lemon cakes, preserved lemons, lemon marmalade and so forth. (by the way – this lemony stuff will not all happen in one day!)

And then, if there’s time left, I shall disappear to the watery calle, canals and shadowy fondamenta of Veniche in the world of Eirie.

Take care all – particularly those friends who have been unwell/in hospital. I’m thinking of you.

Talk next week?

Cheers!