I'm no night owl and, when it comes to writing, the early morning slot is definitely my most productive. But in the present heatwave dog walking has to take precedence! Much after 07.30 over the last few days and it's already been too warm. But being out first thing along the Valley paths offers a great chance to spot the local wildlife (a muntjac deer only a few yards from us on Thursday, a fox trotting past yesterday) and the bird song is fantastic. When we were first out this morning a long finger of mist hung low over the river but it very quickly burned off and the reflections in the water were beautiful.
Sadly the weather was not so kind last week for the Cheltenham Poetry Society's annual AwayDay, held this year at the Corse Lawn Hotel in Worcestershire, where their lovely garden was begging to be used but saw very little of us. An interesting day though, entitled "Away and Beyond" with some useful sessions led by Sharon Larkin, Roger Turner and David Ashbee. It was great to see many old colleagues from the Gloucestershire poetry scene and to hear some excellent poetry. Many thanks to the Society for their invitation to join them.
I was delighted to hear the news this week about one of my favourite bookshops - Griffin Books in Penarth. To add to its other awards (The UK Independent Bookshop of the Year in 2023, Wales Bookshop of the Year in March) it's been named as The Children's Bookseller of the Year in the British Book Awards. Should you be in the Penarth area the shop is definitely well worth a visit. It's owned by Mel Griffin, an amazingly energetic and enthusiastic colleague of mine at my Friday Welsh class. In addition to a host of author events and launches, she organises the Penarth Literary Festival each June, this year taking place in Belle Vue Park Pavilion. At a time when so much anxiety is expressed about children's reading, the work the shop does in encouraging young readers and supporting schools (they have their own Schools Manager and an ex-primary teacher on the staff) is tremendous. Congratulations, Mel - or I should say Llongyfarchiadau!
