On Cornwall and Other things

I've actually been back home for a week, but due to various distractions have not updated the Blog. Cornwall was fantastic and I am more and more convinced that I eventually want to move there (In my dream world where I am writing all day). We found a lovely village called Boscastle which is just about the most idylic place I have ever seen. There are two streets littered with little shops and museums on either side of a stream leading down to the harbour. It looks like it has never changed although it flooded dramatically fairly recently so it must have been substantially rebuilt.

The weather was great and we sat outside for all the traditional cream teas, icecream and Scrumpy. I had promised myself I would get loads of writing done but I was so exhausted at the end of each day I only managed a few freewrites. The walking was fantastic too. Loads of coastal paths to explore and canals to stroll along. On the last day we finally managed to relax on the beach and watch the surfers.

This week I have my examinable piece of work to complete for the OU. It's going to be a fairly intensive week of short story writing before 3 months of being under my own steam. I'm wondoring how many projects I will actually complete in this time as I love starting things but often jump around project wise.

Otherwise, I am loving the sunshine and enjoying the new picnic bench I have built this week. Perfect for writing outside on the laptop.

And it's Off! And I'm Off!

My final assessment for my Creative Writing Course has just been sent off into cyberspace. Just the Examinable piece of work now (which I've been itching to start for about two months now) and it's all over. I'm really quite sad about this, but on the other hand I will have a whole Summer to catch up on my reading and taking my writing life at a much slower pace. Of course the novel will get a lot of attention too, rather than just keeping me awake at night. My characters are very intrusive you know, stepping into my dreams or waking me up when I'm dosing off.

I won't be around next week to compulsively check for returned assignments though as I am off to Bude tomorrow morning for the week. It is most likely going to rain on us but I'm really looking forward to the break. My boyfriend doesn't realise I have snuck a notepad and pen into the luggage yet. I've seen his fishing gear in the back of the car though so I think we are even.

Photos next week!

Help Chris Find Love

This is not usually what I blog about but a friend of mine has started an interesting blog about Match.com. He has described himself as unloveable and antisocial (which I'm sure isn't true) and is testing out whether as someone not likely to find love on a site like this, it is actually possible to get your money back if you don't find someone special after six months. How can Match.com define love?

At the moment he is still struggling with his profile, which sounds like the most difficult writing project ever set. (1000 words on your interests anybody?) Eventually, he will be relinquishing control of his dating decisions to those reading his blog and on his facebook group. A very brave man. Take a look and Help Chris Find Love.

Lots of Work Today

There is loads of writing to be done today. The little one is in Speech Therapy for two hours this morning so there will be plenty of time for lots of freewriting and ideas generation.

The novel is on the backburner for the next few weeks as I have a big assignment due at the end of next week, closely followed by the BIGGEST assignment two weeks later. I'm going to Bude at the end of next week so I'm hoping some new landscape will prove inspirational.

It's funny how you go through different phases in writing, sometimes doing nothing but generating ideas and freewriting, and sometimes doing nothing but working on projects for weeks on end. My aim is to mix it up a little more as it always amazes me how quickly a full length piece of work can grow from a five minute freewrite.

My blisters from walking the Orme have almost gone, although nine hours of waitressing on Monday was quite stressful to the feet. I have now invested in a pair of proper women's hiking socks. so we'll see if they work. The sunburn has morphed into a tan so I am no longer looking like a tomato.

Great Orme

I went on the first of many hikes in training for the 25 mile long H.A.C.K in September today. Starting from just outside Llandudno we set off round the Great Orme. I can't pretend it's the most challenging of walks, only around 6 miles the way we do it, but on a sunny day the views are amazing. We also saw porpoises off the rocks and plenty of nesting sea birds, which is always fantastic.

To my surprise and relief, my muscles didn't ache and I didn't get out of breath. My feet are another story. By the time I got back to the car, I was walking on hot coals. I wore proper hiking boots and thick socks (albeit cheap ones nicked off my boyfriend), so I don't know what went wrong. Any advice would be gratefully received as obviously this is something that needs to be sorted out before the big day.

I will also NEVER, EVER, forget to put sunscreen on again. I am red with two white stripes where my rucksack straps rested on my shoulders. Ouch.