The term "lock hospital" originates from their use as leprosariums, in which the patients
One of the things I love about doing research for historical writing is contact with unfamiliar language, ideas and sentiments. Mary...
A Queer Life in Wales - George Ernest John Powell: Dr Huw Osborne's fascinating book 'The Hi
The lovely College of Art in Aberystwyth has regular exhibitions and I found myself on my own in the silent rooms. I'd come to see the...
The Skull and the Cage
On the hill overlooking Dylife near the former drovers road nears Penycrobren, which roughly translates as “Gallows Hill” is the site...
'The Shadow of Nanteos' Trail
So many of the locations I used in the novel, set in 1750s, Cardiganshire still remain. Whilst writing the book and in writing the...
Easter Fun and Frolics Circa 1750
No, this is a modern picture of course - rather tame looking 'Easter cupcakes'. In our times, apart from practising Christians, Easter...
Nanteos Mansion Easter Monday Afternoon Tea and House Tour with Cello recital.
The early owners of Plas Nanteos were consumate musicians ( wonderful painting in St Fagan's of Mary and Thomas who started the building...
The Geometry of Love:'The Funniest, Sexiest Book I've Read in a Long Time'
American writer Norman Schwenk might have enjoyed it - but my mother didn't (eventhough all the sex scenes were fabricated for legal...
Into the dark woods
Still looking at the process of writing - exploring atmosphere, themes and feelings through poetry at the beginning of a novel. This...
Process: I often start a novel with a series of poems. No calculated reason, it just happens that wa
This is one of The Dipping Pool poems. The Yellow Storm* For two days there had been a strange calm. Trees, ragged and half-stripped,...
Don't Look Now: Publishing
In 1846, Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell paid for publication of a collection of their poetry. It sold a handful of copies. Your worth as a...
