2012

* * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   

May

It is done!                       

My deafening silence can now be broken, having FINALLY finished preparing my book to be print ready. After long weeks of editing, re-editing, re-working, proof reading and amending back and forth with Trish, my editor/publisher, Cycling Full Circle is currently winging its way to the printing press, to come back to me in solid, tactile form by the end of the month. Hurray!

It has been an eye-opening exercise, leaving me with a great deal  of regard for writers, their editors and the daunting task in hand. It has also confirmed to me that I shall be a confirmed maiden author; glad I've done it - but never again. Although that's not to say I am not happy with the end result.

Launch of the book will be at a local event on Diamond Jubilee Monday, 4 June. My home village of Almondsbury is holding a Jubilee fair from 1 pm on that afternoon and it seemed a fitting opportunity to include my book launch and a signing at the same time. You will be very welcome to come along then, but I assume there will be many other local Jubilee celebrations that you might want to attend.

In which case, how about this as an alternative? I shall be book signing in Waterstones, The Mall, Cribbs Causeway from 10 am - 5 pm the following Saturday, 9 June. Please feel free to come along - don't be put off by the queue :-) 

In the meantime, you are quite welcome to pre-order. 

NB The book will NOT be available to buy from Amazon (I'm afraid they take too much of a percentage to make it financially viable). However, I shall be producing e-books, a version for Kobo and others, and a version for Kindle.

I have been working more or less full time on this book for the last thirteen months. I desperately need some exercise. Therefore, two days after the Waterstones' book signing, I should be setting off to walk to Santiago. 

So, Bon Camino x

* * *    * * *    * * *    * * *    * * *    * * *   * * *    * * *    * * *    * * *   * * * 

February

Well, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity of a journal entry on this particular day, could I? Especially as it means I’m able to squeeze in this month’s update by the skin of my teeth.

A couple of things that might interest you:

• for those who live locally and have not yet been to one of my trip talks (and would like to), there is a further opportunity next Wednesday, 7 March, 7.30pm, at Patchway Library. The evening coincides with International Women’s Day.

• and for those who might be wondering when this endless book will be available, I am working towards a book launch around the anniversaries of the start and finish of my trips, ie. the first week in May. Here’s hoping – if only to be able to resume some level of physical activity; a year of one’s life is quite enough for such a full-time sedentary pursuit.

Another round-the-world cyclist, Ken Roberts, returned to his home in Somerset a couple of weeks ago, 20,000 miles after setting off in September 2009. Good for him.

The news from Syria is extremely distressing, especially all that is happening in Homs. I stayed there just one night on my trip, but many memories are associated with it. A young Christian family I met in a restaurant in the evening, who invited me to their home, talked of the discrimination they received because of their faith, presented me with a homemade Christmas star decoration (which I hung up in my hotel room on Christmas Day). The café with the Christmas tree, the owner helping me in my search for accommodation. The whole side of a building lit up with Christmas lights, of which I took a photo and used it for my website Christmas card. I hope and pray the country will sort itself out soon.

I have recently bought walking boots, in part preparation for my walk to Santiago in the summer.

What are your plans this year?

 
Severn Bridge                                           Second Severn Crossing

* * *    * * *    * * *    * * *    * * *    * * *   * * *    * * *    * * *    * * *    * * *

New Year’s Day 2012

So, then, the start of another year. And time to take down Christmas decorations; not necessarily a half-hour job! (This is not my house, but a local one that raises money for charity each Christmas). It is me in the Norwegian national costume, made by my mother, and worn by me each Christmas Eve.

A new year is always an exciting time: of psychological opportunities for new beginnings, new ventures; of reviewing your current situation and possibly re-shaping your future; of taking risks and going out of your comfort zone; or even continuing with what you are doing, if that is right for the time being.

Talking of new beginnings, from a Christian point of view there are two particularly significant days in the year that are apt and poignant times to die: Christmas Day, when Jesus came to bring us back to God; and Easter Day, resurrection into new life with God. My stepmother died on Christmas Day. As well as accepting the inevitable sadness that follows such an event, it is more important to emphasise the glorious sense of joy that should accompany the notion of passing on to a better place. It also means that future associations of the event with Christmas can be positive, happy ones.

Just before Christmas, I had the pleasure of hosting a warm showers cyclist, Kate, riding from Cardiff to her parents' home in Oxford for Christmas. Good for you, Kate.

 
As for new year resolutions, well then, let's see: finish the book - soon; de-clutter my house - soon after; get out of my comfort zone - in due course.
What are yours?

In the meantime, I wish you all a fantastic 2012, full of exciting activities and events, at whatever level you want them to be; plus plenty of blessings and joyful moments throughout.

* * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *   * * *