2023-12-07 13:59
Apologies for a long blog absence, but I know most people follow me on social media, so please do that if you’re wondering what I’m up to!
But for those of you who haven&rsquo&hellip…Read More
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Flowerpot Days Blog
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Flowerpot is a freelance journalist, author and walker who lives in Cornwall. My first book of walks, Discover Cornwall, was published by Sigma Press July 2012. Circular Walks with Cornish Writers is published in August 2015.
2023-10-25 09:28
I hadn't realised it was so long since I've written a blog post, but life has been exceptionally busy what with final edits of Lainy's Tale, typesetting and last minute edits, and all the… Read More
2023-08-24 09:28
It always interests me, the fact that "Romance" is so often derided and sneered at, looked down upon as a genre of film/boook/play, when we all need to love and be loved. Furthermore, it is… Read More
2023-07-12 12:41
I am lucky enough to have been one of the 46% of anorexics who have recovered. 33% partially recover, and 20% develop chronic anorexica, although these are statistics that I would take wit… Read More
2023-06-22 09:33
Life is often a balancing act, I find. Trying to keep a good work/life balance or just good life balance can be really hard. And there are always those times when life tips me over, and I w… Read More
2023-06-01 12:15
One of the lovely bonuses of being an author is meeting readers, and other writers.
This morning I had a text from someone I met through our blogs. She lives in Penryn and is a very talen… Read More
2023-05-03 08:55
(I can't take credit for this photo as it was taken by a friend, but it was taken in Falmouth, so I'm sure he won't mind me using it.)
The trouble with high expectations is that they are n… Read More
2023-04-11 10:18
A QUICK ASIDE - LULU I've emailed you about buying a copy of The Rescue but am not able to contact you via your blog for some strange reason. Please let me know how to get a copy to you! B… Read More
2023-03-29 09:03
Image courtesy of Battersea Dogs Home I woke in the middle of the night and turned on the radio, as I do when I'm sleeping at home (ie not with the Fella) to hear of Paul O'Grady's death. I… Read More
2023-03-15 13:38
I have very few memories of my childhood, but one of them was standing in the road not far from our house, and refusing to move until I’d spelt out ‘Coombeinteignhead’ whi… Read More
2023-02-21 13:06
I was talking to a friend the other day about Triggers. Not the kind on a gun, though I suppose metaphorically they do the same thing, but the ones that cause us to react in a certain way. W… Read More
2023-02-09 13:21
Mostly, life as a writer consists of sitting on my backside, writing. Obviously. But sometimes other writerly things have to be done - like selling books. So I thought I'd share with you my… Read More
2023-01-11 11:53
I'm glad to say that The Rescue will be available from Amazon as Kindle and paperback as from today - or rather, it takes 72 hours for it all to be processed. So by the end of this week - 13… Read More
2022-12-14 13:10
I met up with a friend I hadn't seen for ages yesterday, so we had a lot to catch up on. We were talking about how different people are, and how they love - and we love them - differently, a… Read More
2022-11-11 19:14
This is the cover for The Rescue, designed by the incredibly talented Tammy Barrett. I love it, and that look is pure Moll... It also helps that we both love animals which is a great start t… Read More
2022-10-26 09:08
I am, of course, excited but terrified - my editor loves it and so do the friends that have read it, but what about everyone else? What if they hate it, or just don't get it? Gulp.... I gav… Read More
2022-10-19 12:44
The good news is that everything is going ahead with publication of The Rescue. The corrections for the final proof have gone through and then publication should be (fingers crossed) end of… Read More
2022-09-22 12:36
The above was taken this week at Idless Woods, where Laurence Reed interviewed me for what will be a very short video to publicise my novel, The Rescue. I have to say, we filmed for an hour… Read More
2022-09-01 17:46
Apologies for absence. Life seems to have been extremely busy, what with preparing for publication, trying to learn as much as I can about the process which is fascinating but a steep learn… Read More
2022-08-12 08:48
I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book, which is completely different from Fern’s Cornish based books. This is the story of Marion Crawford, nicknamed Crawfie, who became Prin… Read More
2022-08-01 09:35
This was actually taken on our last trip away, at the Treffry viaduct near St Austell, in a valley riddled with wonderful mining heritage. But that's another story for a different day. I set… Read More
2022-07-20 09:41
We've just come back from a lovely few days camping with friends near St Just in Penwith, and my what a scorcher! I was more concerned with how the dogs would cope than us, but luckily there… Read More
2022-06-28 11:02
We had a lovely break up near Cardinham on a quiet campsite encircled by tall trees, looking out over a tapestry of fields, woods and two elderly donkeys. A perfect little place with very f… Read More
2022-06-15 09:31
I have been sending out submissions for novels and a possible walks book to various agents and publishers and several have got back to me suggesting self publishing. In addition, I have met… Read More
2022-06-01 09:45
The above sculpture is at Princess Pavilions, where I went on Sunday for very good brunch from their community kitchen, before a long stomp at Constantine, and then a visit to Sasha Harding'… Read More
2022-05-25 11:54
Those of you who know me, know who this is - the stroppy, indomitable, grouchy, charming Moll. I know those adjectives sound contradictory, but she was, and like most dog lovers, I loved her… Read More
2022-05-19 11:19
This was the setting for our family gathering for mum's memorial service - or rather, this is where we all stayed. An amazing rabbit warren of a 13th century pub that is now run as an Airbnb… Read More
2022-05-09 10:38
My dear friend Av and I meet every six months, and as she is what Mum called "my second daughter", we would meet near mum's care home for the weekend and take Mum out every day. We booked la… Read More
2022-04-27 12:32
I am, The Fella says, an Optimist. Having suffered from chronic depression in the past, it certainly wasn't a tag that would have applied to me then. But now? Yes, I suppose I am. By that, l… Read More
2022-04-20 09:30
"I can't imagine you being shy," said a close friend, when I told her about a paralysing fit of shyness that struck me yesterday. "I normally have trouble shutting you up!" Methinks she does… Read More
2022-04-14 09:45
This picture has nothing to do with my dream, I would just like to say, but if viewed in a certain light, it could have sinister undertones. And what is the imagination for, if not picking u… Read More
2022-04-06 12:05
Our much postponed holiday was fabulous. Beara Farm stables are on a remote, working farm so the traffic consisted on a parade of ducks across the farmyard, two cats who stalked by supercili… Read More
2022-03-23 12:56
We saw the first blackthorn blossom on Saturday, and what a joy it was. I've been feeling as if I've been run over by a steamroller since Mum's death, and my brain is devoid of inspiration … Read More
2022-03-17 10:59
I am viewing life through a veil of disbelief at the moment. Last Tuesday I had a long chat with mum about what we were both reading, and she was delighted that she'd received some new books… Read More
2022-03-08 11:32
We all get weeks when things go wrong, don't we? Last week I had my first rejection for The Rescue, the novel I've just started to send out. It was a real blow, particularly as it came on th… Read More
2022-03-03 11:10
For the first time in about a month we had a weekend of good weather which always lifts my spirits - and that of the poor fella, who is trying to build a garage and the recent storms and gen… Read More
2022-02-23 10:16
Last week I had a drink with my dear friends upstairs who were, respectively, 80 and 50 within three days of each other. The older one was, understandably, less excited about celebrating his… Read More
2022-02-17 10:45
I am not renowned for my patience, as my friends know. When buying something online I tend to skim the details, say "that'll do" and click Buy. It was the same with swapping the van for a sm… Read More
2022-02-08 10:55
Until I had a reactive dog like Lainy I would look at other people whose dogs were barking and lunging and going bonkers and think, as many others do, “Why can’t they control the… Read More
2022-02-02 12:09
This was taken at Lizard Point on Monday after a busy day looking for used cars. Afterwards, we (and the dogs) badly needed food then a relaxing walk in beautiful surroundings, and this was… Read More
2022-01-26 11:30
I'm normally a kind of glass half full person, but for some reason, recently I've really been struggling. Part of it is the good old Cornish winter weather which, let's face it, I'm used to… Read More
2022-01-19 15:07
I’ve been looking through a load of old photos that one of my brothers canned in from a random selection found in Mum’s collection - pictures and slides dating back from when my… Read More
2022-01-13 14:39
As I write, I have just sent off my novel, The Rescue, to a competition that would be oh so amazing to win, or at least get shortlisted for. I've done all I can to get it into good shape, go… Read More
2022-01-06 13:26
I've borrowed this spectacular picture of sunrise at Gylly today courtesy of Gilli Matthews because a) I missed it and b) I think we all need something to cheer us up. And this is spectacula… Read More
2021-12-17 10:48
Well, I don't know about you but I've had to turn off the news as the latest Covid stuff makes me very anxious. Yes, I've had my booster but it looks like we'll all get it if we haven't alre… Read More
2021-12-07 10:14
As I write, Lainy and I have just returned from a walk in the first blast of Storm Barra. Typically, now I've returned home and had to change - why are waterproof coats never, actually water… Read More
2021-11-26 10:07
Today I am blogging on behalf of Lizzie Chantree, whose latest book, The Woman Who Felt Invisible, is taking part of a blog tour which I am delighted to be part of! This is an exciting sto… Read More
2021-11-19 10:56
Most of us tend to be dismissive of our achievements, however small they may be, and sometimes may not even notice them. Last weekend I went up to see my mum and also meet up with my dear fr… Read More
2021-11-10 10:57
When I wake up in the middle of the night, I'm often awake for a few hours, so I listen to either the World Service or Five Live. This morning one of the topics for a phone in was politicans… Read More
2021-11-05 11:34
Those who know me, know that I am easily moved to tears. This is somewhat of an understatement. Pip said once, 'you're the only person I know who can cry at the weather forecast,' but I disp… Read More
2021-10-28 09:16
This is Tom Leaper's fabulous statue dedicated to all the fishermen from Newlyn who lost their lives at sea. We walked down here last Saturday after my cousin Jenny Dearlove's launch of her… Read More
2021-10-19 13:13
My talk at the weekend was a fringe event as part of the Falmouth Book Festival. It went very well, courtesy of the utterly brilliant BBC's Daphne Skinnard who is a very clever interviewer… Read More
2021-10-12 10:16
As you can see, this coming Saturday I am giving a talk as part of the fringe events of the new Falmouth Festival. I am going to be talking to BBC Radio Cornwall's Daphne Skinnard, about how… Read More
2021-10-06 09:16
First my good news. The book I've just written is from a dog's point of view - Moll's to be precise. It almost wrote itself, because Moll was such a strong character, and I laughed and cried… Read More
2021-09-29 09:02
Yesterday I picked up my poor wounded friend from the hairdresser in the pouring rain and took her home where we had some lunch and for some reason the song Tiptoe Through the Tulips came u… Read More
2021-09-16 08:41
Last week a dear friend of mine had a bad fall from her bike and broke her shoulder in four places. I hadn’t realised what a bad state the NHS was in, particularly here in Cornwall… Read More
2021-09-08 08:54
Having had a particularly difficult day yesterday, I was delighted to check my emails late afternoon and find I am a finalist for the Page Turner Awards for my novel, HUNGER. Mind you, my eu… Read More
2021-09-02 09:46
As most people know, I have a Romanian rescue dog called Lainy who came into my life through a strange series of coincidences, very soon after losing my Moll, and this led to me writing my m… Read More
2021-08-26 09:07
The phrase 'support networks' has become about as overused as the terrible 'unprecedented', which has long set my teeth on edge. But we all need a group, or groups, of people who will give u… Read More
2021-08-18 09:42
A close friend suggested that we should have a campervan picnic - two of them - which then led to the Where Shall We Go, given that Cornwall is overrun with visitors, and the vans are both q… Read More
2021-08-13 09:13
Well, this was one of my moments of glory from last week's show, Fern Britton's My Cornwall. I was all a-quiver beforehand because I didnt know how much, if any, of the two hours of filming… Read More
2021-08-02 10:36
The above picture has nothing to do with my TV appearance, but I have no stills or pictures because any photography was forbidden during filming. In April I was contacted by a TV production… Read More
2021-07-28 09:41
I often wonder, as I listen to Desert Island Discs, how people would really cope with isolation. We've all had our fair share of it during the past 18 months or so, to varying degrees, but… Read More
2021-07-19 08:31
So how is everyone in this heatwave? We're not used to it, are we? And though I'm lucky because I live in a Victorian flat which is nice and cool, I pity those people who live in houses that… Read More
2021-07-08 08:51
My local library has reopened and what a joy it is to go and browse again. I was the only one there, so maybe people aren't aware that libraries are open again - I do hope more customers mak… Read More
2021-06-29 11:11
Tomorrow I am off to see my mum in her care home and also meet up with my dear friend, Av, whom I haven't seen for 18 months now thanks to lockdown, so it will be a joyous reunion. We are… Read More
2021-06-24 14:12
I heard Fern Britton being interviewed a month or so ago about her novel, Daughters of Cornwall, which was coming out in paperback, so I made a note of when it would be available and bought… Read More
2021-06-07 13:08
Apologies for long delay but I had a week's caravan trip in Coverack at the end of the month, which was a lovely break. The weather left a bit to be desired on several days, but it was good… Read More
2021-05-19 10:23
Yesterday I had a 5am start for a really exciting morning that took me way out of my comfort zone. It was work but of a different kind than I'm used to, and I always think that experiences… Read More
2021-05-13 09:09
I heard on the news today that long term tests for ovarian cancer haven't resulted in any decrease in deaths from the disease.This topic is close to my heart, and one that I've written about… Read More
2021-05-06 09:46
Last week I was able to get away for four nights in a caravan in West Cornwall and my, what a brilliant time we had. The weather wasn’t perfect, as it’s still pretty cold but we… Read More
2021-04-22 10:16
The recent conviction of Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd is welcome news to many Americans, and may be a step forward in race relations - maybe not. I would like to think so. What ma… Read More
2021-04-13 10:13
Most of us have lost someone dear to us, and that thought has been very much in the minds of everyone following the death of Prince Philip. Regardless what anyone may think of the monarchy… Read More
2021-03-31 10:50
On one of my many trips to the hospital to have my eye checked, I was talking to a nurse who asked me what I did. When I said I was a writer, she wanted to know what I wrote, and I said I wa… Read More
2021-03-25 10:49
My dear Mum moved yesterday into her residential home and I so wish I was there to help things along. However, Lainy is a bit of a loose cannon at the moment and it would have been too much… Read More
2021-03-18 10:33
I remember reading Tales of the Unexpected (Roald Dahl) many years ago, but also the TV series which is on one of the many channels and has a very distinctive theme song. The Tooth Fairy mad… Read More
2021-03-11 10:35
My dear mum has to move into a care home in two weeks, we found out last Friday. This is all due to the sale of her house which is to exchange today and complete in two weeks. Of course onc… Read More
2021-03-04 10:23
I'm glad to report that I am vaccinated for my first dose - no side effects, thankfully - and the stitches are out of my eye wound and although it is a keloid scar which means it's raised an… Read More
2021-02-25 10:09
Because of my own Walks in the Footsteps of Rosamunde Pilcher book, her publishers contacted me and sent me A Place Like Home, a new collection of short stories, originally published in wome… Read More
2021-02-18 11:54
Life has been partly on hold over the last few weeks because I had an accident that resulted in a wound just above my left eye. To cut a long story short, I looked like I'd been in a fight w… Read More
2021-02-03 10:48
Well, I think the whole world is mourning Captain Sir Tom Moore who embodied everything that we love and admire. He was brave, optimistic, funny, had a great twinkle in his eye and, to misqu… Read More
2021-01-27 11:11
As you can see, Lainy is unaffected by lockdown and having a fabulous time on the beach the other morning. In fact, she seems such a happy dog that she cheers me up no end. She has stalwart… Read More
2021-01-19 11:50
For some reason my computer has decided not to unload pictures from the last month so apologies if you've seen that one already. Well, 2021. Not the start to the year we all hoped for, is it… Read More
2020-12-21 13:31
We're all facing an uncertain end to the year. If this was a film, you couldn't really think of anything else to go wrong. Well, you could but let's not tempt fate. Yes, the news is terrifyi… Read More
2020-12-09 11:55
I am a great believer in heading out of my comfort zone as well as staying firmly in it, if you know what I mean. I can be quite easily persuaded out of it as long as it includes Lainy; les… Read More
2020-12-03 10:10
Last week I finished The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett. I can't remember how I heard about it, whether it was from a review I read or the TV programme Between the Covers, hosted by Sara C… Read More
2020-11-25 10:59
Before you (or I) get excited, I must just say that it's not me having the makeover, but my kitchen. Until I wrote this, I'd never realised that miniscule kitchens were such a pattern in m… Read More
2020-11-19 10:43
I belong to a book group and have done for the last 15 years or so - maybe more! Over the years this group has evolved but there are usually about 6-8 of us who meet once a month reading bo… Read More
2020-11-12 10:26
This just goes to show that you can take interesting pictures in the rain. Though I agree it's not that interesting, and it does rather sum up Lockdown Two.... But I digress. Writers are oft… Read More
2020-11-05 11:43
This being the first day of Lockdown Two, our outdoor life is becoming increasingly important. My social life mainly consists of socially distanced walks with friends. And as I have a dog t… Read More
2020-10-28 10:56
Well, we all need a purpose, don’t we? I certainly do, especially while the world is so uncertain. It might just be Get Out of Bed, on those days when everything seems too much. Or Re… Read More
2020-10-21 12:57
We never had careers advice at school. I wasn't considered bright enough to go to university, as I did badly at exams, and in the end my parents were asked to remove me after O levels as my… Read More
2020-10-15 09:29
Like many people, this year I had Plans. I was going to go on holiday! Unlike a lot of people, I was extremely fortunate in being able to get my writing retreat in before Covid and for that… Read More
2020-10-07 10:27
This is a rare picture of me and my lovely friends (sorry Ali, you're hidden behind Bev!) on our brief but brilliant trip to Roscoff this time last year. We had earmarked last week for a rep… Read More
2020-10-02 13:20
This painting is by my very talented friend Ernesto Pescini - check him out on Facebook for other works of his. Much of Ernesto's work comes from emotional turmoil, as I'm sure you can see… Read More
2020-09-23 09:57
Apologies to all you non-dog lovers. Skip this one. I promise the next post will not be about dogs. But this one is, unshamedly so. Lainy has already brought such joy and love to my life, I… Read More
2020-09-17 09:29
For the last few weeks, I have been walking Lainy with her foster carer, and consulting with the friend who is involved in the charity that Lainy orginally came from. Sorry that this is s… Read More
2020-09-10 10:23
First of all, apologies for all this being in one paragraph. I still haven't found out how to make Blogger acknowledge carriage returns. Anyone any ideas? In the meantime, everything comes… Read More
2020-08-26 10:19
Last week passed in a blur of visits to the vet, visits to the out of hours vet at all hours of the night, emergency surgery on Saturday and finally the phone call on Sunday that had us raci… Read More
2020-08-13 09:40
Blogger has gone all strange on me, and there's supposed to be an icon to add images but I can't see one, so this will be a boring post while I try and figure out how the hell to do this. It… Read More
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