“There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad.”
Salvador Dali
Accepting and adapting
There’s a lot written about the rise in medial tourism, but when you look at it objectively, everybody wins. It’s time to be realistic, creative and get things done. Sitting on the fence can be uncomfortable!
2025 will be different!
They say if you want to get ahead, get a hat. I’m going further and my hat is now evidence of the fact that in 2025, I will no longer tolerate things that I find even slightly annoying!
Am I neuro-diverse?
Can having a high IQ be considered to be neurodiverse, and if so, what benefit is there to me in shouting about something I’ve always considered a disability?
There’s no turning back
We’ve finally exchanged contracts on the sale of the plot where we had once intended to build our final home. Now we can focus 100% on building our new life here in Suffolk.
People don’t change
I’m left handed, and learned yesterday that the proportion of the population who are left handed, has not changed in thousands of years. A reminder that while life was very different 4,000 years ago, people have hardly changed at all.
We have a new neighbour
I keep meeting people who have moved to Leiston because it is affordable, and close to so many amazing places. It’s perhaps time people challenge their perception of the town, and invest here.
I was tempted by another trustee role . . . and then I thought again!
It's time to stop chasing roles in other organisations, and instead, focus on writing my next book, and then the one that will follow that!
I’m getting Down to Earth
I'm now busy researching and writing my next book. Once more I'm being published by Unbound, which means you have the opportunity to see your name printed in the back of the book.
Leiston Book Festival
Leiston's first book festival was a huge success, showing the world that Leiston remains an innovative town. Next year's festival will be even bigger and in time, our festival, with its focus on landscape and environment will become nationally known.
Back to basics
Walking in just my sandals, through some Essex woodland with a Christian naturist, helped me appreciate the connection most of us have lost with the natural world. Our conversation will appear in the first chapter of my next book, Down to Earth.
Staying alive
A wasp sting on an early morning bike ride forced me to choose between life and death. I chose life, so now need to live my life fully.
A 450 year old tradition
I’ve just started work on my next book, and realise that I’m continuing a Suffolk writing tradition that was started by Thomas Tusser more than 450 years ago.
Wainwright Prize
Golly, my latest book has been long-listed for a Wainwright Prize. That’s probably the most prestigious nature writing prize around.
Moving with the times?
I am a pragmatic Quaker, choosing to follow my instinct and conscience rather than blindly follow the herd.
Leiston Book Festival
Tickets have just gone on sale for Leiston’s first book festival. Have you bought yours yet?
I’ve been thinking
Holidays are an opportunity to both reflect on life, and try new things. I’ve been in the USA doing both!
We buried my father-in-law yesterday
He always saw himself as a farmer, but to generations of young men, he was a mentor too, helping them develop confidence and a love of the land.
Writing and reading in Suffolk
There are few writers whose words move me as much as those of Ronald Blythe. Reading him, strengthens my conviction that I too must write, and stop allowing myself to be distracted.
Now my latest book really is launched
It was a pleasure to talk about my book to folk in Blaxhall yesterday. The village hall was packed and I sold and signed more than 30 copies of my latest book.
I’ve been to school this week
It was great to be able to spend time the other day talking about life as an author, with students at Wymondham College.
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
George Bernard Shaw