ha! I know, but it did seem something one should be able to do, three weeks of clean productive living. Sounded miserable though, bad enough there's no telly frankly
At least you picked the best hotel in Penzance whilst you were there, 400 yards from the joinery yard where my father worked for his entire working life, in Regent Square. Any thoughts on your time in my home town (other than the weather)?
ah, was I perhaps overlooking it? could hear lots of industrious toil going on while I tapped away feeling more than usually like I didn't have a proper job. I really fell for Penzance on this trip; the last time I was there there were gale force winds, which had their charms to watch from the pub, but did discourage exploration. This time, though I was mostly working, I had a lovely wander along the front to Newlyn for ice cream, and around the back streets with the dog; such a beautiful, but lively, diverse place (ie not just a pretty holiday town). You're very lucky!
yes I knew about the other two and regretted not going anywhere near them, but this, this was a very nice surprise!! and all because the two preceding ones didn't have an M&S or similar...
Loved reading this piece Felicity and looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labours.
We head up to the Scottish Highlands every year, mostly in early June.
Sometimes break the journey and stay overnight North of Glasgow to assuage the ten hour drive and catch up with friends in the area, however this year we decided to go up in a ‘one hit’, like you we left at 5am, stopped for a longer break at 10ish and also discovered Cairn Lodge, an oasis in the terms of service stations and not as large or as busy as its Gloucester counterpart (haven’t been to Tebay as we prefer the route to Scotland via the A1 & stunning scenery on the A66 into Scotland, plus it allows me to reminisce of my North Yorkshire roots).
Your view over the water looks wonderful, cooler climes, marvellous, happy writing and trust Wilf is tucked up with a hot water bottle!
Enjoy your writing retreat time and look forward to the fruits of your labours. 🏴❤️x
I've never driven this coast, only come by train and was a bit surprised by the routing, but it was a lovely drive across the country, and it didn't take as long as I'd feared, plus Cairn Lodge was the cherry on the cake, what a place!
After losing the key on the beach last night, I made Wilf walk around for hours as I hunted (as I kept telling him, this is not my idea of fun either!), latterly in the rain, so when we finally got in he took himself to bed on a pile of cushions and my rucksack, ignoring the three actual beds available, and only appeared wanting to join me at 2:30am, shivering. He's now tucked up under several blankets by my side. Hoping he'll fancy a nice long lie in after our adventures.
Looks to be a super spot and whilst rain isn’t ideal (the norm we find in The Highlands), escaping the heat and enjoying all Scotland has to offer is highly recommended.
I don’t know how you write on a laptop. I need a proper keyboard, mouse and big screen. Looking forward to the next novel as I really enjoyed the first one.
hmm... I would probably prefer that, but two computers would be de trop when I live somewhere so small (plus the desktop would have to sit on my kitchen table, which is the only table, all the time, which isn't really a prospect that fills me with joy). I did invest in a second screen last year, but I forgot to bring it (and also, it's much the same size, just useful for pretending you work in the City trading things)
Well, now I've started thinking about my out of office for October. "Sorry, I'm on a writing retreat in the South of France, I will return your email when my creativity is spent or I've finished this packet of Gitanes." Notions (and mikes travelled) aplenty.
Having very much enjoyed your and Orlando’s performance (is that the right word?) at the Acorn I am sorry you felt constrained to flee Penzance, though as it was cooler weather you sought you were dead right as you would have had to wait another 3 weeks for the heat to break.
This week has brought some relief (and rain though you wouldn’t think it to look at my lawn) but it’s due to get hotter again next week. I never thought that I would be looking forward to November in Cornwall (the bleakest month here in my opinion) but at last it’s happened.
Good luck with your writing and here’s to cold misty January! You really should come back then.
I’ve been yearning to escape for a month or six weeks to write one of the two novels bubbling away in my brain. Reading this has made me double down on that: DO it, rather than just dreaming about it, Barnes! Hope all goes well and the words flow, Felicity. Thoroughly enjoyed novel one and looking forward to the next one.
Superfluous ‘sorry’ after the part about wine at the end of a writing session, otherwise 10/10, enjoy the view. Also, prayers for the Mac update… 🙏
ha! I know, but it did seem something one should be able to do, three weeks of clean productive living. Sounded miserable though, bad enough there's no telly frankly
At least you picked the best hotel in Penzance whilst you were there, 400 yards from the joinery yard where my father worked for his entire working life, in Regent Square. Any thoughts on your time in my home town (other than the weather)?
ah, was I perhaps overlooking it? could hear lots of industrious toil going on while I tapped away feeling more than usually like I didn't have a proper job. I really fell for Penzance on this trip; the last time I was there there were gale force winds, which had their charms to watch from the pub, but did discourage exploration. This time, though I was mostly working, I had a lovely wander along the front to Newlyn for ice cream, and around the back streets with the dog; such a beautiful, but lively, diverse place (ie not just a pretty holiday town). You're very lucky!
Cairn Lodge is (are?) the perfect services. See also their sister-services, Tebay and Gloucester. A cool and rainy retreat sounds blissful.
yes I knew about the other two and regretted not going anywhere near them, but this, this was a very nice surprise!! and all because the two preceding ones didn't have an M&S or similar...
Loved reading this piece Felicity and looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labours.
We head up to the Scottish Highlands every year, mostly in early June.
Sometimes break the journey and stay overnight North of Glasgow to assuage the ten hour drive and catch up with friends in the area, however this year we decided to go up in a ‘one hit’, like you we left at 5am, stopped for a longer break at 10ish and also discovered Cairn Lodge, an oasis in the terms of service stations and not as large or as busy as its Gloucester counterpart (haven’t been to Tebay as we prefer the route to Scotland via the A1 & stunning scenery on the A66 into Scotland, plus it allows me to reminisce of my North Yorkshire roots).
Your view over the water looks wonderful, cooler climes, marvellous, happy writing and trust Wilf is tucked up with a hot water bottle!
Enjoy your writing retreat time and look forward to the fruits of your labours. 🏴❤️x
I've never driven this coast, only come by train and was a bit surprised by the routing, but it was a lovely drive across the country, and it didn't take as long as I'd feared, plus Cairn Lodge was the cherry on the cake, what a place!
After losing the key on the beach last night, I made Wilf walk around for hours as I hunted (as I kept telling him, this is not my idea of fun either!), latterly in the rain, so when we finally got in he took himself to bed on a pile of cushions and my rucksack, ignoring the three actual beds available, and only appeared wanting to join me at 2:30am, shivering. He's now tucked up under several blankets by my side. Hoping he'll fancy a nice long lie in after our adventures.
Adventures indeed.
Looks to be a super spot and whilst rain isn’t ideal (the norm we find in The Highlands), escaping the heat and enjoying all Scotland has to offer is highly recommended.
❤️
you could come here chez moi, you wouldn't even have to bring Marmite... much cooler here than London... Mexico!
ah but all I would have wanted to do is EAT!! how could one go to Mexico for the first time in decades and do anything else??
Precisamente
Sounds like pure perfection! (though you may need to get more wine in!)
ah no doubt - managed to lock myself (and Wilf!) out in the rain last night so had a large glass for dinner when we finally got a spare key
I don’t know how you write on a laptop. I need a proper keyboard, mouse and big screen. Looking forward to the next novel as I really enjoyed the first one.
also, thank you! looking forward to writing it...
hmm... I would probably prefer that, but two computers would be de trop when I live somewhere so small (plus the desktop would have to sit on my kitchen table, which is the only table, all the time, which isn't really a prospect that fills me with joy). I did invest in a second screen last year, but I forgot to bring it (and also, it's much the same size, just useful for pretending you work in the City trading things)
Congrats on setting yourself up for a big start on your new book!
Well, now I've started thinking about my out of office for October. "Sorry, I'm on a writing retreat in the South of France, I will return your email when my creativity is spent or I've finished this packet of Gitanes." Notions (and mikes travelled) aplenty.
Very excited about another novel - loved your first one!!!
Having very much enjoyed your and Orlando’s performance (is that the right word?) at the Acorn I am sorry you felt constrained to flee Penzance, though as it was cooler weather you sought you were dead right as you would have had to wait another 3 weeks for the heat to break.
This week has brought some relief (and rain though you wouldn’t think it to look at my lawn) but it’s due to get hotter again next week. I never thought that I would be looking forward to November in Cornwall (the bleakest month here in my opinion) but at last it’s happened.
Good luck with your writing and here’s to cold misty January! You really should come back then.
I’ve been yearning to escape for a month or six weeks to write one of the two novels bubbling away in my brain. Reading this has made me double down on that: DO it, rather than just dreaming about it, Barnes! Hope all goes well and the words flow, Felicity. Thoroughly enjoyed novel one and looking forward to the next one.