Jigsaw puzzles, not my thing usually. But in these crazy times I've discovered puzzling allows me some quiet headspace. When the news means I struggle to even escape into a book, a beautiful image slowly taking shape draws me in. Here's to finding that quiet headspace. Goodness knows, we need it.

Please spare a thought for the hundred million Americans who are as appalled as you are. 😞

That two days after Christmas feeling of 'what the heck just happened?' This is why you make two Beef Wellingtons so dinner's already made and you can collapse in a heap. Happy Aftermath, peeps!

Sometimes you have to leave home to find home. That's what I write about. Wishing you home this Christmas. 🙂

Dear #BBC, If you give that man one single penny, I will cancel my TV license payment. I will not provide funds to bolster his extortion, hatred, and hypocrisy. Regards, Holding Out Against Tyranny, One Lawsuit at a Time

It's December 4th and only four doors are open on my advent calendar. I am absurdly proud of myself. (Posting now in case the 5th doesn't go so well.)

🎶It's the most prolific book buying time of the year!🎶 And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I don't write song lyrics. But if you're searching for home, enjoy exotic locations, or need to get away from it all, I write that. Sing your way to my bio for links.

Wishing you a happy Prosecco snow globe, turkey, and wreath making Thanksgiving!

Dismembering, contorting, and slashing a 339-page novel into a two-page synopsis would be a great premise for a horror movie. I'm having nightmares about it and I already know who did it.🫣😱

A most interesting discussion about the controversy surrounding The Salt Path with the journalist who broke the story, @chloehadj.bsky.social. Many thanks to all at the #dulvertonliteraryfestival for hosting.

An afternoon roaring with laughter at the fabulous Pam Ayers as she revisits all my childhood poetic memories, well it doesn't get better than this.

Something I really missed during my expat years in the US was a good, old-fashioned English pudding, like jam roly-poly. Of course back in 'the day' roly-poly never looked as fancy as this cherry jam version served at the Top Ship in Porlock!

BOOK POST ALERT! Why not order the entire #bookerprize shortlist! Now, where to start...? Ideas, anyone?

A new book (Jennifer L Armentrout’s The Primal of Blood and Bone) is to be released printed with garlic-infused ink. My novel-in-progress is set on Exmoor and I doubt clotted cream reeks enough to impact sales. I'm screwed! 😱 What scents should I add to attract readers? Exmoor pony? Heather? Chips?

I'm calling this weather torrential sunshine but it's leading to amazing rainbows. #Exmoor

After watching several tutorials and eating many chocolate biscuits, I managed to void the exorbitant price increase for my Microsoft subscription. It's the Classic AI-less Plan for me so no more nagging Copilot! But do I believe I'm now AI-free? Do I heck. Probably just deleted my entire novel. 😱

Foraged blackberries and home grown raspberries. #cakefordinner

Namibia. My heart is full.

I'm baaack! I've been exploring new blue skies, these in Namibia. And oh how blue they are!

This beauty of a birthday gift will surely elevate my gardening game... Just as soon as it cools down and Wimbledon is over.

As I get ready to be a tourist for a couple of weeks, I thought I should practice by joining in a tourist activity in my own area. The beautiful vistas and scones of @periwinkletearooms.bsky.social never cease to amaze.

A good word. A necessary feeling.

I will be in Chicago for the weekend for a family celebration. If you're following US news, you know we picked a heck of a weekend to be in the US. I will hold my recent trip to Rosemoor RHS gardens in my heart until I return. Wish me luck!

A carpet of sea pinks near Bossington Beach. Such cheerful flowers, even under grey skies. #Exmoor

#Chelseainbloom is a fantastic alternative, or addition, to the actual Chelsea Flower Show. Amazing arrangements with a fashion theme. Enjoy!

Oh yes I did! At Woolacombe for a proper soft serve flakey beach day. One day we have to meet @beachwoolacombe.bsky.social

My happy place. It's also the local pigeon's happy place. Therefore, hats are not optional and you can't leave your book unattended. But it's still my happy place. 🪶

Well, you've got to have a bit of fruit to wash all the chocolate down.

I recently returned from China. It was truly a most amazing, eye-opening travel experience. One of my favourite days was a hike down the Yulong River. I have no words to describe the beauty of it all.

I'm back from an amazing trip to China that saw me hiking the Yulong River, jumping for joy on the Great Wall (photobombed by my own scarf), and hanging out with Tai Chi Eric in a Beijing park. So many tales to tell.

Oh, the joy of typing THE END on a new novel. (The photo is a big clue as to the setting for this one.) Finally, the manuscript is in the hands of my lovely, brave beta readers. I feel both relief and abject terror, but onwards! Thank you for taking this journey with me. It's means so much.📚📖❤️

President Zelensky, you may wear anything you feel comfortable wearing while in the UK. 💛💙

Happy Publication Day to one of my favorite authors, Deborah Lawrenson! The Secretary combines Cold War spy thriller with a personal connection to the author. I'll be reading this on a long flight next week.

Just your average everyday drive to the dentist. Oh, how I love living on Exmoor.

Truth.

I have just returned from a delicious lunch at the now open for the season @periwinkletearooms.bsky.social. Can Spring be far behind? (And oh look, you can buy a book!) Thanks for your hospitality, Paul and David.

I may have found the antidote to doom scrolling. Puppies in wheelbarrows! Now, how many puzzles do I need for three years and 49 more weeks...? 🤔

When all is grey but a ray of sunshine escapes the clouds and illuminates Selworthy, Exmoor. Happy Sunday. 🌞

I made a single serve blueberry and white chocolate cake in a mug. Believe it or not, I followed a recipe. My presentation may need tweaking. (It tasted great though!)

I just typed THE END on my new novel. I write because the saddest sight in a house is an empty bookcase. (Not that I'd know.) Now, we celebrate!

And I threw all the kid's artwork away! 😭

Seen in London this week. Brilliant encouragement to stay awhile during the winter chill.

The Hive at @kewgardens.bsky.social never fails to impress. But getting all those lights on that enormous tree? Now, THAT'S impressive. Let's all make 2025 impressive in our own way.

We've taken simple things like frost so for granted. It's been ages since I've seen one at our house. How lovely to see this morning's artwork.

What a fabulous collection of books! You can find my choice for Best Book of 2024 at around 1:7:00 but I highly recommend you listen to the whole thing. I have three of the six on my bookshelf already. Thank you @somersetcool.bsky.social! www.besomerset.com/post/be-some...

I just finished recording a lovely chat with Jenna Myles of @somersetcool.bsky.social about my favourite book of 2024. I can't reveal my choice yet but you'll find out on Wednesday. Thanks Jenna, and happy reading. x❤️📖

A charged phone and a cup of hot tea. Losing power for a couple of days really focuses you on what's important in life.

While eating at a restaurant last night, everyone's phones went off. The emergency alert system is quite loud. When it's an entire restaurant, it's very loud. I thought I'd left killer weather behind when I moved back to England from the US. Apparently not. Stay safe, everyone in the red zone!

I now have the joy of seeing Dunster's Calling and More Or Less Annie in the gorgeous, oh-so-Exmoor setting of Clematis Cottage Gift Shop in Selworthy! Support a local independent business, then treat yourself to a cream tea at @periwinkletearooms.bsky.social next door. Win-win. Happy Reading!

Getting in the Christmas spirit during an early morning stroll around Covent Gardens last week. Hot chocolate may have helped too.