I've done it!

I've just submitted my end of course assessment project for the Creative Writing course. I never fail to be astonished at how long the process of editing and polishing takes. Thanks are due to Beth, my critical reader, for her very helpful suggestions.

So that's another writing course finished.

Sigh.

At least it gives me more time to get on with developing my career coaching business. One day I will have a website to show you.

Blackberries

It is a beautiful day here - sunshine, blue sky, lots of silver clouds to keep the sky interesting. The colours are vivid and clear. We've just been for a long walk, stopping for a picnic on Burton Dassett hills. The long pale grass stands against the blue horizon like hairs standing up on your arm, and the lichen on the old quarried rock stands out like carvings. And we had snacks for free all the way round our walk - God bless the blackberry fairies!

I'm in Love

What more can I say?

Sending Rain

A crisp white A4 envelope sits on the chair waiting to be posted. I wrote two 'rain' poems aimed at MsLexia for TMA05 of my Open University A215 course. Yesterday, I got them back from my tutor with some really helpful feedback. I've redrafted them in the light of her comments and so they are now ready to go out into the world.

*Gulp*

Kentle Woods

Kentle Wood - Rowan Berries
Originally uploaded by krikelorac.

For my birthday, my family bought me some Woodland Trust sponsored trees in Kentle Wood near Daventry. We went to visit them today (the trees, not the family). There is so much promise and hope in a young wood, and a lot of work has gone on to plant this one. It is quite narrow, but very long, taking us just under half an hour to walk its full length. The rowan are at their best at this time of year, and I can't resist photographing those berries.

Butterfly Heaven

Butterfly on ivy
Originally uploaded by krikelorac.

The ivy is in flower, and we have clouds of these butterflies gorging themselves. They seem to love it as much as buddleia, which really surprises me. The bees love it too.

I made it!

It's been one of those weeks where I've had to do what most people do all the time, working 5 days a week. Monday and Tuesday I was working as normal AND preparing for the career workshop that I've just run this Thursday and Friday. The delegates said they found it helpful, which means I'm happy, if a little tired.

College started this Wednesday, and it was great to be back with my art class and see the work that everyone has been doing in their sketchbooks over the summer. We've had a project to do on the Elements - to pick one of them and fill a sketchbook with images on that element. I chose Earth, and I've got all sorts in there, including bits of soil and grass. Drew the line at squashed worms.

I'm glad the week is over though, as I am now exhausted. I'm looking forward to next week - when I get some time to finish my last creative writing assignment. They call this the ECA or Examinable Component Assignment. We had a scary mailing about it, which said if we don't submit on time (even if this is because of computer failure) we FAIL THE COURSE! This was reinforced several times, so I'm now determined to get it in at least a week ahead of schedule.

But first, some gin. Lots of gin, and a mexican. Food that is, not bloke.

One vote!

Piece Hall in Halifax opened on January 1st 1779 to trade lengths of handwoven cloth some 30 yards long (called 'pieces'). Trading took place for just 2 hours on a Saturday morning from 10 - 12, and fines were imposed on any trader that sold a piece of cloth outside those times.


The Piece Hall only flourished for about 35 years, as handwoven fabric was replaced by mechanised methods. In 1868 it was given to Halifax Corporation and converted into a market.

In the 1970's, a proposal to demolish the Piece Hall to build a shopping centre was defeated by just one vote. Thankfully, the decision was made to restore and re-open it, and it is now a thriving centre.

Seen on a restaurant door ...

This was the sign that greeted us when we stopped at Ryton Organic restaurant for lunch:

Polite Notice

For Health & Safety
Reasons We Do ask
that people refrain
from bringing their
tortoises in to the
restaurant

We thank you for
your cooperation

Sloe blue

Sloe blue
Originally uploaded by krikelorac.

I managed to get up early this morning, as my camera was panting at the door with its lead in its mouth. Took several photos of the hedgerows, which are jewelled with berries. More on Flickr (click on the photo).

Season of Inspiration

For veterans of the above creative writing course, Sharon and Helen are planning to run another in January 2007 - dates to be confirmed. Now - can I resist that? Winter is a different season, after all. I've emailed Sharon and she's put me on the email list and suggested I monitor her website for details.

Tiring weekend

We've spent the weekend in Norfolk visiting friends. After a 300 mile round trip and two late nights, I'm feeling about as creative as a wet sponge. Our friends have two children who seem to be fast approaching adolescence, although they are only 9 and 11. The 11-year old has just had her ears pierced and has a new mobile phone which is pink with blue lights on the keys and has a flower background on the display. She is naturally very attached to it, and spends a lot of time tapping into its keypad. At one point when we were drinking tea with our friend's parents/inlaws, Rick was also busy texting away, and I'm convinced they were texting each other. Well, that's what it looked like.

Early to bed tonight, I think.