How brilliant to share your love of gardening and knowledge with your daughter! I learnt so much from my parents and I think of them a lot when I'm in my garden ❤️
Why thank you Linda. You are so kind (and encouraging). Like most writers, I never think anything I write is good enough. As it happens I am working on a book but, heavens, it’s a HUGE project compared to writing here and articles for magazines. The column I wrote for many years in Country Living was around 800 words. Longer features were 1,200 and writing for Substack is usually around the same, or less if it’s snippets. The project of writing a book requires 60-80,000 words and is a totally different approach and structure. Having written around 50,000 words I have ground to a halt. But may I just say, your kind words of encouragement have made me determined to get back to it. So thank you.
I am pleased if my comment encourages you back to creativity. I shall eagerly watch and await your first publication. Keep going. Everyone deserves encouragement and I like the descriptions of your observations of the area you visited recently. I have never been and I felt I was there travelling through your eyes. Linda
Of course Kitty, had forgotten that, having house in Granada, you’d be an expert on this. We were truly amazed and impressed by it all. We reckoned there were six men under the float we saw, and yes, I didn’t question the fact they would be men. Apart from the statue of the Virgin Mary, women don’t feature much at all. So good of you to ask about the novel! All ground to a halt because I have had a crisis of confidence, but I remain determined to get back to it. Unbelievable weather here at present so the garden and golf are distracting me, but I need to get back to it. Hope you are well and happy 😊
Susy, I truly love this post which takes me back to my years gathering from markets to resell at my booth at a local antiques mall. Many treasures remain in my home, the most loved pieces of furniture, china, art, garden objects and of course French linens and knick knacks. Time has come to downsize here but I’m finding it very hard!!
Love the girls’ purchases but it’s your sign that really got me so excited - it’s awesome and quite hilarious. What a wonderful find.
Your book will be welcomed by so many of us so please keep going. Have always loved your writing in CL and miss your editorial page and columns. Still love that magazine so much though - each month on arrival to my US mailbox it brings me close to my real home in Devon, updates me on general life in the UK, nature notes, and so many fabulous British artisans etc.
Lovely to see the progress of your garden! Thanks for sharing. It certainly has been an amazing Spring with an explosion of flowers, shrubs and trees. I don't ever remember watering so much during April!!
I have just returned form Semana Santa in Granada. I have gone for the past three years to see exactly those processions you describe. I know what you mean about the pointy hats, though each brotherhood has a different colour, so some are black, purple or red. The men hdden under each float practise through the year by carrying a very heavy table through the narrow cobbled streets, because on the day the float has to be carried through the city from 5pm until after midnight, when it is returned to the church. In some cities the floats are on wheels, but in Granada it is still men (no women) and they take it in turns to have a rest and then carry on. It is spectacular, and I love showing people the scene, especially when they have no idea what to expect. BTW how is that novel coming along??!!
How brilliant to share your love of gardening and knowledge with your daughter! I learnt so much from my parents and I think of them a lot when I'm in my garden ❤️
I enjoy your stories and adventures after reading so many in English Country Living.Thank you.
Thank you for getting in touch. I’m delighted you’re still reading.
I agree with comments below and would definitely buy your book! Keep on keeping on 😅
Oh thank you so much Sue. Lovely to get the encouragement 😁
Lovely descriptions. Worthy of description in a novel. Maybe you should write one Susy?
Why thank you Linda. You are so kind (and encouraging). Like most writers, I never think anything I write is good enough. As it happens I am working on a book but, heavens, it’s a HUGE project compared to writing here and articles for magazines. The column I wrote for many years in Country Living was around 800 words. Longer features were 1,200 and writing for Substack is usually around the same, or less if it’s snippets. The project of writing a book requires 60-80,000 words and is a totally different approach and structure. Having written around 50,000 words I have ground to a halt. But may I just say, your kind words of encouragement have made me determined to get back to it. So thank you.
I am pleased if my comment encourages you back to creativity. I shall eagerly watch and await your first publication. Keep going. Everyone deserves encouragement and I like the descriptions of your observations of the area you visited recently. I have never been and I felt I was there travelling through your eyes. Linda
Of course Kitty, had forgotten that, having house in Granada, you’d be an expert on this. We were truly amazed and impressed by it all. We reckoned there were six men under the float we saw, and yes, I didn’t question the fact they would be men. Apart from the statue of the Virgin Mary, women don’t feature much at all. So good of you to ask about the novel! All ground to a halt because I have had a crisis of confidence, but I remain determined to get back to it. Unbelievable weather here at present so the garden and golf are distracting me, but I need to get back to it. Hope you are well and happy 😊
Susy, I truly love this post which takes me back to my years gathering from markets to resell at my booth at a local antiques mall. Many treasures remain in my home, the most loved pieces of furniture, china, art, garden objects and of course French linens and knick knacks. Time has come to downsize here but I’m finding it very hard!!
Love the girls’ purchases but it’s your sign that really got me so excited - it’s awesome and quite hilarious. What a wonderful find.
Your book will be welcomed by so many of us so please keep going. Have always loved your writing in CL and miss your editorial page and columns. Still love that magazine so much though - each month on arrival to my US mailbox it brings me close to my real home in Devon, updates me on general life in the UK, nature notes, and so many fabulous British artisans etc.
Enjoy your English summertime.
Mary in North Carolina🇬🇧🇺🇸💞
Lovely to see the progress of your garden! Thanks for sharing. It certainly has been an amazing Spring with an explosion of flowers, shrubs and trees. I don't ever remember watering so much during April!!
Dear Susy,
I have just returned form Semana Santa in Granada. I have gone for the past three years to see exactly those processions you describe. I know what you mean about the pointy hats, though each brotherhood has a different colour, so some are black, purple or red. The men hdden under each float practise through the year by carrying a very heavy table through the narrow cobbled streets, because on the day the float has to be carried through the city from 5pm until after midnight, when it is returned to the church. In some cities the floats are on wheels, but in Granada it is still men (no women) and they take it in turns to have a rest and then carry on. It is spectacular, and I love showing people the scene, especially when they have no idea what to expect. BTW how is that novel coming along??!!