Month: April 2026

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 1 Comment

I’m feeling jolly pleased with myself this week. We hadn’t been abroad since 2017 when we went to Florence for the 25th wedding anniversary of my partner’s cousin. Travelling abroad had become difficult and stressful, Brexit notwithstanding. (Apologies for using the B word!) Insurance for two people with existing medical conditions is outrageous, and waiting for ‘assisted travel’ at airports somewhat like being in a holding pen with no idea when you’ll escape.

We decided to take our holidays in the UK, covering the South West of England to The Highlands of Scotland. We’ve had some amazing times with no regrets but, having had some challenging times in 2025, we decided to try a coach holiday to Belgium; a place we’d never been.

It’s been wonderful, such a beautiful country. Bruges is vibrant and pretty. We also visited Ghent, Ostend and hopped over the border to Sluis in The Netherlands, which was a delight. We’d settled on a five-day break to see how it went and it all went well. So … where next?

Beautiful Bruges

Wordy Wednesday

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I really enjoy reading a book series and have especially liked the gentle flow of Harriet Steel’s Inspector de Silva stories. Set in Sri Lanka in the 1930s, and in the imaginary town of Nuala, Inspector de Silva (often with his wife, Jane’s, help) solves the many murders and mysteries.

It was exciting to discover a new book in the series: A Curse in Nuala. I was happily reading when I came upon a word that was new to me. In describing a room, we’re told; “the colour was echoed in the drugget carpet …”

I quickly looked up ‘drugget’ and discovered that it’s a word from the 16th century. It comes from the French, ‘droguet’ meaning poor quality article.

To discover the wonderful book series visit https://harrietsteel.comhttps://harrietsteel.com

Do you enjoy reading books in a series? What’s your favourite?

Sum up Sunday

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Bench made from old skateboards

Quirky Nottingham skateboard bench,

Dummy run to check coach stop,

Brain tangle from new challenges,

Rested by volunteer shifts.

Can you sum up your week in 25 words or less?

Does anyone else do ‘dummy runs‘?

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 3 Comments

What are you pleased with yourself about this week?

I’ve been working through a long list of tasks in advance of my middle-grade children’s book, The Clocker, being published on 28th April 2026. I’ve approved the ebook, ordered some bookmarks, updated my website, had various conversations in relation to promoting the book … The list goes on.

It can be hard to do things you haven’t done before, as well as remind yourself of things you’ve not done for a while. I’m plodding on, taking it step by step and getting there.

You can pre-order my book and see more at:

https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/middle-grade/the-clocker

Ticking things off my list is very satisfying

Wordy Wednesday

~ my word (s) ~ 7 Comments

I came across the word ‘bimble’ in an Instagram post from sconepalnatalie and was keen to find out more about its meaning and origin.

Its meaning is to walk or stroll at a leisurely pace, possibly coming from the word, ‘bumble’. I love the idea of going for a morning bimble along the beach or through the park. That’s my kind of pace.

Please share any words you’ve come across; I’d love to hear from you in the comments box.

I’m off for my morning bimble through the park