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more scotland

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After leaving the Orkney Isles, we made our way to Duchally Country Estate, where we had booked a lodge. This place belongs to a company called CLC (Club la Costa). There is a hotel as well as the self-catering lodges.

(This was taken on another visit, as you can see!)

My daughter, son-in-law and grandson flew up to Edinburgh and joined us for a long weekend, which was nice.

On Saturday, we went to Loch Leven, not far away from Duchally. There is a castle on an island in the lake where Mary Queen of Scots had been imprisoned when some of her lords revolted against her rule. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, that was closed.

We had a walk around part of the loch, which is very picturesque. We had a bit of trouble getting there because our satnav was completely thrown by a road closure for a market in the centre of Kinross. There were lots of people going down roads, then turning round and going back.

It was a lovely sunny day, but there had been a hatching of gnats as you can see in this picture. I was not deliberately taking photos of insects, but only saw them when I looked at the photo, later.

We went on to St Andrews, but the town was very busy and we couldn’t find anywhere to park, so we returned to Duchally.

The following day, we decided to climb a mountain. There was one called Ben Cleuch not far away, on the edge of the Trossachs. When we got there, it looked very steep, but we set off. I got about half-way up, but then the path became very rocky with a drop on one side. As my balance isn’t as good as it was, I opted to return to base camp. My husband came with me, of course, but daughter, son-in-law and grandson contiued onward and upward!

We had some fun watching a murder of crows (yes, that’s the collective noun) mobbing a pair of buzzards whenever they reached a certain point.

The gorse was magnificent, putting on a wonderful show on the hillsides.

Monday we went to the Falkirk Wheel. This is a means of lifting (or lowering) boats from one canal to another at a much higher level. It is the only one of its kind in the world, apparently.

Daughter and family were catching a flight from Edinburgh later that day, so we said goodbye to them and they set off towards home.

We had a walk around the grounds of Duchally Country Estate when we got back.

We visited Glamis (pronounced Glams) Castle. We’d pre-booked it as we had to with the Pandemic. It was an interesting visit. It was the place where Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was born and lived all her early life. There is supposed to be a secret room. It is said that if you count all the windows from outside, and all the doors from inside, there is a discrepancy. More windows than rooms!

A school friend of mine lives near to here, and we went to pick her up. She had agreed to come and spend a night with us at Duchally. On the way back from her home, we called at Dundee. I bought a Dundee cake, of course, but couldn’t find any Dundee Marmalade.

Dundee is the home of the Beano, a famous comic in the UK. The comic first appeared on 30 July 1938. I read it as a child, and so did my son. There are statues of some of the more famous characters in Dundee. There is another one, Dennis the Menace, whose statue we did not find, but I can’t believe he wasn’t somewhere.

The next day we visited the only lake in Scotland. The Lake of Monteith. We found out it’s called a lake because a Dutch cartographer mistranslated the word Laich, meaning a low place, as Lake, and it’s been a lake ever since.

One thing that impressed us was how light it stayed at night. This photograph was taken at 11pm and you can see how light the sky is still. This was at the end of May with still weeks to go until the Solstice.

Then, the following day, we sadly had to leave for home.

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creating character depth

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Depth is a vast word, a sea of information created of layers. It is complex, intense, and profound. Characters with depth feel solid, alive, as real as your best friend.

depth-of-character

To achieve a sense of depth, we begin with simplicity. Each character’s sub-story must be built upon who these characters think they are.

One of the most useful seminars I’ve ever attended was given by a Romance writer. He is a strong proponent of assigning verbs and nouns to each character at the outset as a way to get inside their heads.

If there is one thing Romance authors understand, it is how to create a strong impression of character.

When I plan a character, I make a simple word picture of them. The word picture is made of a verb and a noun, the two words that best describe each person. We want to know the good things about these characters, so we assign nouns that tell us how they see themselves at the story’s outset.

CONTINUE READING HERE

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the orkney islands

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I have recently returned from a holiday in Scotland and thought you might like to see some of the places we visited.

Scotland is a beautiful country with a lot of history. Definitely worth a visit. You must, however, take rainwear as its weather is notoriously fickle.

This year we managed to book a week in a lovely self-catering place. Duchally is a part of a group called CLC, and has a hotel and a number of lodges. There are two and three bedroom lodges that are more like houses than chalets you might find elsewhere. Each bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom.

But first, we decided to go to the Orkney Islands. We set off from here, near the south coast of England, and stayed for our first night with friends in Yorkshire, then set off for Scotland the following morning.

Our first night was in a hotel that had been a castle–Foneb Castle Hotel. The view from the dining room was amazing.

The next day we set off for the very north of the country. We had seen the stacks at Duncansbury Head on TV and we wanted to see them for ourselves. The stacks have been likened to sharks fins or witches hats. The Head is the most northeasterly place in Britain.

We still had time before our ferry to the Orkneys and so we thought we’d visit the most northerly point in the UK, which is not, as popularly thought, John o’ Groats, but a headland to the west of it, called Dunnett Head. We turned up a little road, which was narrow and potholed. As it was 5 miles to the head, we decided not to go.

Travelling farther west, we came across Dunnett Bay. This was a beautiful, sandy beach. We had a nice walk along the bay. We did see one sad thing. There was a dead sheep on the beach. No idea how it came to be there.

And here’s a picture of Dunnett head. At least we saw the most northerly point in mainland Britain.

We then caught the ferry to the Orkneys. There were a lot of seabirds on the cliffs. There were supposed to be puffins, but I only saw fulmers and guillimots.

We landed at St Margaret’s Hope on the island of South Ronaldsay, from where we caught a bus to the capital, Kirkwall. As it was 8pm, and so far north, it was cold.

The bus journey was interesting as we crossed the narrow strips of sea between islands on barrages. We were told that they had been build during WW2 by Italian prisoners of war. They were actually defensive barrages, but as it was illegal to have POWs work on defences, the MOD said they were bridges, and built roads on top of them. Now they serve to allow access by land to other islands.

The biggest island, the one that has the capital, Kirkwall, is called Mainland. This seems a little odd to those of us from the mainland of the UK.

Here are some pictures of Kirkwall.

First the Cathedral.

The ruins of the Abbey

We caught the bus to Stromness at the other side of Mainland. There were Neolithic barrows and standing stones on the way. I was surprised that the island was not as flat as I had thought.

We explored the little town, which was not very crowded. The weather was still cold and windy, though, but I suspect that’s par for the course there.

We had a visit to Highland Park Distillery booked for that afternoon, so we caught the bus back to Kirkwall. Highland Park is the most northerly whisky distillery in the world, so we were told.

They produce their whisky in the traditional manner, malting their own grain, which most distilleries don’t do any more. The grain is turned by hand, but most maltings turn it mechanically.

It is dried over local peat, which is heather peat. This helps to give it its distinct bouquet and taste.

Our guide said that when the initial fermentation has taken place, what they have is essentially a very unpleasant beer. It is then taken to the stills where it is distilled into whisky.

Here is a picture of the stills.

They then mature the finished product in oak sherry barrels. Not just any sherry, but oloroso sherry.

Thus ends our visit to Orkney. I will tell you more about our Scottish holiday next week.

Incidentally, the spirit made in Scotland is whisky, while that made in Ireland is whiskey.

If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment in the comments box. I enjoy reading what you think. Have you been to the Orkney Isles? If so, what did you think of it. Our visit was too short, really. There’s such a lot more to see.

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i need your help

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I am completely stuck for a title for my latest novella in the Prequels to the Wolves of Vimar. The working title is Aspholessaria, which is the name of the protagonist, but as I don’t thing it’s very memorable, nor easy to spell putting it in a search engine, I don’t think I’ll go with it.

Of course, Aspholessaria isn’t known by that name, especially in the Human lands. (She’s an elf) Humans know her as Asphodel but that name could be misconstrued as a book about the flower, so I’ve rejected that.

I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who wants to read it, but roughly it goes like this. She runs away from home with her lover in order to escape an arranged marriage. Of course it all goes wrong and she has to escape her lover. She ultimately finds herself in Bluehaven where she joins the priesthood of Sylissa, goddess of life and healing, and begins training to become a healer.

For various reasons she falls foul of the Great Mother in the temple when she follows her conscience rather than the rules.

I have a few ideas that I’m not really satisfied with and would like your opinion. Here are the ideas I’ve had.

From Darkness to Light

Dream of an Elf Maid

The Voice in the Air

Lady of the Healing Goddess

Priestess of Sylissa

Consequences of Conscience.

Which, if any, of these titles appeals to you? Of course, if you have a brilliant idea, please let me know.

Please put your thoughts in the comments box.

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rock cake recipe

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I made these rock cakes the other day. They are among my husband’s favourites.

Here is the recipe so you can make them, too.

Ingredients

250g SR flour

125g caster sugar

125g margarine

1 egg

Dried fruit to taste.

Method

Rub margarine into flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. (Or use a mixer.)

Add sugar and dried fruit and mix well in.

Add the eggs. This is a very stiff mixture.

Break into pieces and bake on a baking tray at 180o C for about 10 minutes.

For the next couple of days, Viv’s Family Recipes will be available of a mere 0.99 ($ or £). Get your copy, and make some more of my recipes collected over the years from friends and family. Click on this link or the book cover in the sidebar.

If you enjoy the recipes in this book, or even if you don’t, please leave a brief comment on Amazon’s reviews. It is a great help to both readers and writers if they can see what others thought about a book.

Please leave your comments in the comments box.

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I promise I won’t spam you. I only send out a newsletter quarterly, with the occasional one in between with any exciting news or a freebie.

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Step On Board the Puzzle Train

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This sounds like an excellent way to entertain the kids during the summer holidays.

Got some younger kiddos you’d like to keep occupied over the summer months? Check out the Bad Caterpillar activity pages free from Story Origin in exchange for signing up for author Suvi Chisholm’s newsletter.

Fun activity pages designed to keep kids engaged and learning. Activity pages are based on the children’s book: Bad Caterpillar by Suvi Chisholm.

And a book they might like to read, too.

Step On Board the Puzzle Train

Posted on May 31, 2021 by paws4puzzles

The most popular TV game show ever, Puzzle Train, has Tom hooked. Obsessed. Every week, he watches as the adults fail to complete the unseen Conductor’s puzzles. Every week at school he debates the Conductor’s identity with best friend, Isabelle. And every week, his stepfather tells him to get out of the living room and play sports.

An opportunity presents itself as a children’s special is announced. Tom is desperate to get on-line and attempt the qualification puzzles, his stepfather is equally desperate to stop him. The mystery to Tom is why does his stepfather hate the Puzzle Train so much?

CONTINUE READING HERE
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Some funnies courtesy of chris the story reading ape.

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Posted on  by Chris The Story Reading Ape

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the great heathen army part 2

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We rode to the country of Northumbria where we encountered Ælla and another king, Osberht. They had joined forces against us but that did not worry us in the slightest.

We set our shield wall and made ready for the attack.

They had formed their own shield wall and the sound of the shields clashing, and the men shouting made a tremendous din.

I was in the centre of the wall. We pushed and shoved at the enemy. They were strong, but we were stronger. I was filled with elation. This is what life’s all about. Fighting and battle.

Men poked spears through our wall and found spaces in the enemy wall. True, some of the enemy spears found our men, too. The man next to me fell and left a gap. Someone quickly filled it from the second line of shields. I recognised Einar, my friend. He winked at me and began to push.

A spear grazed my leg, but I felt nothing, such was my excitement. I shouted at the man who had pricked me, and thrust my own spear at him. He cried out and fell.

Blood made the ground slick. It’s metallic scent filled the air mixed with the smell of men whose bowels had opened in fear. The man in front of me slipped. I stuck him with my spear then ran into the gap he left before anyone could fill it. Einar joined me in pushing and we broke through their wall. They began to run.

Still full of the battle joy, we pursued them, but they knew the land better than we did and eventually we lost them. But we killed many and captured a number of them.

Our leaders, the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok, hoped that Ælla was among them, but he had escaped along with his ally, Osberht.

We returned to Jorvik, but a few months later, Ælla and Osberht gained courage and attacked us. Once again we fought, shield wall to shield wall. Again there was the thrill of the fight. The danger was exhilarating. Those that fell were found by the Valkyries and taken to Valhalla to live in the presence of Odin. They would fight all day and drink all night. Death in battle was not something to be feared, but embraced. Only those who died in battle went to that wonderful place.

These Anglo Saxons are no match for we Danes. They are weak and feeble, and so we easily overcame them. It was a abit disappointing that the fight had not been more fierce.

King Osberht had been killed in the fighting, but Ælla was still alive. We needed to capture or kill him.

Halfdan called to us that he would prefer to have Ælla alive, and we set off to chase the retreating army.

Suddenly a great shout went up. Ælla had been captured. I saw him dragged by three men to stand before Halfdan and his brother, Ivar the Boneless.

Our leader laughed. “So, Ælla, you stand before us to pay the price for killing our father.”

Ælla shivered and said nothing.

“We will have our revenge.” Ivar turned to the men who had brought Ælla to him. “Throw him to the ground.”

The men pushed Ælla onto his stomach.

“Carve the eagle onto his back”

The brothers stood watching as Ælla screamed and a warrior cut the ribs from his spine. Blood spurted into Halfdan’s face and they laughed again.
Ivar raised his hands and called in a voice all could hear. “Praise and thanks, Odin, All-father, for our victory this day, and for handing the enemy to us. We give this sacrifice to you.”

Ælla was now silent. I suspect he had passed out due to the pain. The man who had cut his ribs reached into his chest and pulled out his lungs, spreading them on top of the ribs to create the Blood Eagle.

I have no idea when Ælla died. It might have been immediately or some time later, but we rode away, laughing. Vengeance had been achieved.
We had captured much of Northumbria. Halfdan decided to make Jorvik his capital, but first went back to the land of the East Angles.

Their king, Eadmund, had found some courage and met us on the battlefield. We were pleased to have another fight. Such glory to be won, and win it we did. These Anglo Saxons are such feeble fighters. They seem not to enjoy it, which I cannot understand. Glory in battle and to be sung of in the Sagas is a wonderful thing.

At this time, we captured King Eadmund. Our leaders told him they would release him and allow him to rule under their jurisdiction if he would give up following his weak and feeble Christ.

He refused to do so. Halfdan gave him three chances, but he continually refused to stop worshipping his dead God. He told us that this Christ had come to save people so they could live for ever, and we could be saved, too if we worshipped Him. Ivar the Boneless told him that our warriors lived forever in Valhalla, and that it was a much more exciting place than the forever life his god promised.

Eventually, Halfdan and Ivar lost patience. We tied him to a tree and used him for target practice. Then we cut off his head and threw it into the bushes.

Someone told us that after we had gone, his people took his body and searched for his head. They head a voice crying ‘Here. Here.’ And on investigation found his head being protected by a large wolf, who was calling to them.

They reunited his head and body and buried them. They then began to revere him as a martyr.

The story of the Great Heathen Army is not absolutely clear. Some historians say that it landed in Kent and made its way to East Anglia. The size of the army is also not agreed upon, although one source says it was about 3,000 men.

The reason for the change from raids to an invasion force is unclear. It was an Icelandic saga told the tale of Ragnar Lothbrok and how his sons came for vengeance. Some authorities doubt this, but who am I to let that get in the way of a good story?

This story precedes the events in my book, Jealousy of a Viking. Helgha’s father came over with the Great Army and met and married her mother. She was brought up as a Dane and expected to adhere to t heir values.

If you enjoyed this tale of the Danish invasion, please leave a comment in the comments box and feel free to reblog it, referring back to my blog.

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Wolf Moon on offer

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What if some of your friends have been captured by an old enemy and taken to the capital city of the country you are in. What if the enemy is now searching for you and your friends who remain with you?

This is what happened to Asphodel and her friends.

Hiding in a cave from a thunderstorm with the searchers getting too close for comfort. They find a crack in the back of the cave. This is their only way out as the enemy is nearly at the entrance.

Imagine their amazement when the crack leads to a large cave with dwellings in it. The inhabitants are not unfriendly, but insist they must remain in the cave and not leave.

How can Asphodel and her friends escape a lifetime of living in the dim cave, virtual prisoners?

This is the story to be found in Wolf Moon, Book 3 of The Wolves of Vimar series. From tomorrow, 25th May, for 5 days only, the ebook will be available for only 0.99 ($ or £).

Get your copy by clicking on the cover in the sidebar or clicking on this link, which will take you to Amazon where you are.

If you take advantage of this offer, I would be delighted if you could post an honest review. It is important to both readers and authors to have reviews. They help readers make a decision as to whether the book is one they would like, and helps authors to understand what it is readers want from them.

The Wolves of Vimar series, and all my other books are available in most formats, including some in Audio. Click on the book cover in the sidebar to go to Amazon where you are.

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a ruined house. story inspiration

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A long time ago, when I was still in my teens, I went with a friend and her family for a walk in Derbyshire, in England.

Derbyshire is in what is known as The Peak District, and is composed of moorland hills, valleys, cascading water falls and small villages. It is especially lovely when the heather is out, turning the hills purple.

It is also the home of the bilberry.. This is a small dark fruit resembling a tiny blueberry. It grows on moorland, but it is difficult to pick because, unlike the blueberry, it grows on low plants. It’s back-breaking work. I think it has much more flavour than its cousin.

But that’s another story. Not the one I’m telling you.

As we walked, enjoying the fresh air and the wild country, we suddenly stumbled upon a ruined mansion. To me it looked as though it had been a Georgian building. We wondered about its story. There was no village nearby, so why was it where it was? And why had it been let fall into decay?

This picture stayed with me through many decades. I always had the thought of its story at the back of my mind. Then I became a teacher, got married and had children. Life became very busy, so the thought of this house disappeared from my mind.

Then I decided to take early retirement. It was then that I began writing. I began with fantasy, converting a D&D scenario I had written into a book, that ended as a series. Then I wrote two more and a recipe book.

I still hadn’t thought about this house, but it pushed itself to the forefront of my memory one day and I decided I’d better do something about it.

So began the saga of A Family Through the Ages.

The first thing I thought about was where to begin. As it was the house that was in my mind, I decided to begin with the building of it and had a rough idea in my head. Then I thought I would tell the story of the family who built it, but where to begin?

It was then that Adelbehrt made his appearance. He came to me as a child with ash blond hair captured by the Romans and brought to Britain as a slave. I’m not quite sure where he came from, but he insisted I write his story. Thus the first book of this series began. It is called Vengeance of a Slave.

Then I needed to move on. I needed to get my family from the York area to Derbyshire. I did this in the next book in the series, Jealousy of a Viking.

Helgha is a descendant of Adelbehrt. She is half Danish and half British, her father having come over with the Great Heathen Army that I wrote about the other week. Most of the so-called Vikings who lived in that part of Britain were Danes.

Helgha falls in love with Erik, the son of a jarl (Viking noble) in Jorvik (York). They cannot marry because of the difference in status. Erik must marry for political reasons, and when he does so, Helgha finds herself wracked with jealousy.

She does some pretty unpleasant things, as does Erik’s wife, who is jealous of Helgha, who has Erik’s love. It all turns out badly, and Helgha has to flee with her two sons by Erik where she ends up in Mercia, a part of central Britain where the Danes have no jurisdiction.

But all is not smooth here either. She has to undergo trials similar to those she met in Jorvik, and overcome her tendency towards jealousy.


Currently, Jealousy of a Viking is with the publisher so I will keep you informed as to what is happening with it. This one I describe as adult as it has some scenes that might upset some people.

If you wish to read Vengeance of a Slave, click on the title of the book, or the cover in the side bar. It is available in most formats, including audio and large print.

Please leave your comments in the comments box.

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There are dragons and magic in the world if only you look for them… V.M. Sang