Looking beneath the familiar

Catchword, my writing group, had an “AwayDay” yesterday in the small Cotswold town of Painswick. After coffee at the Patchwork Mouse, we explored individually for a while, seeking inspiration in the historic buildings and fabulous surrounding countryside. Then, after a very good lunch at the Butchers Arms in Sheepscombe, we adjourned for a writing afternoon at one of our number's home.

I have lived not ten miles from Painswick for more then twenty years and have visited often during that time but, thinking about the day later, I thought how true my friend Susie's comment was - 'The interesting thing is that if you go to a place to write, then the place becomes more interesting because you look at it with an artist’s eyes rather than being  detached or disconnected from it. Writing gives you a more direct connection ... and this may be something to remember in other places, even those that are familiar.'

I certainly saw in Painswick yesterday so much that I had overlooked before - and gained a lot of inspiration for new writing. Watch this space as they say!