BOATS and how I use them

 BOATS

and how I use them

Compass Point - tide's out.

I'm sure you're aware that as well as designing gardens and writing crime novels I also model narrow gauge railways. I have built a number of layouts over the last 30 years or so and nearly always incorporate boats.

Castle Quay - layout in a wine box.

My love affair with boats and the water started when I began sailing dinghies at the age of about 12. Since then my passion has never gone away. I like things to be correct so I put as much time and effort into getting the details of the boats correct as I do into modelling trains and landscape.

Compass Point - tractor and boat-launching trailer

Not only in getting the details of the boats correct but of all things to do with them, especially in making sure they are correctly tied up and moored.

Crab boat - based one one moored in Rye Harbour

Boats also play an important role in my books as they are set close to the coast in Sussex. The one I'm currently working on - and coming to end of writing - involves a boat, a bit further away, on the Medway. I've had to dig deep into my experiences to write about a boat getting caught in a strong  tidal current, when it's not suited for that type of water. 

Sabots Wharf - a layout in a shoebox

You'll have to wait a little longer to find out what happens, but in case you haven't read the previous escapades of DI Sonny Russell and his faithful hound, Aggie, details of the titles can be found to the right of this blog. The books are available in paperback and kindle.

Nottery Quay - based on the Strand in Rye

WRITER'S BLOCK? WHAT BLOCK

 WRITER'S BLOCK

WHAT WRITER'S BLOCK?

A bit of a tongue in cheek title for this blogpost as I don't actually suffer from writer's block. Words have never been a problem for me. Probably as a result of being 5/8ths Irish - yes really. Plus my mother kissed the Blarney Stone. (I went to Blarney Castle a few years ago but as I suffer from vertigo, there was no way I was going to lean over backwards to kiss it, so the gift of the gab must have come from her.)

However, when I'm writing I sometimes come to a point where I'm not sure how the narrative should progress or in which direction to take it.

I learned a valuable lesson, many moons ago, in a different life, when I was ceramic designer. Then, being young and headstrong, I thought that if I just ploughed on doggedly, when stuck, something would come out of it. I soon learned it was completely the wrong approach. If I did this, whatever I produced would be either absolute rubbish or things would just keep on going wrong. But if I left the problem alone and did something totally different for a while, when I returned to it things seemed to work out. (I will admit that the something different might involve alcohol, but as I said, I was much younger then.)

These days, now that I'm older and wiser (!) I have a different approach. I put the writing aside and take myself and Aggie for a long walk, usually on the beach. Something about the openness of the landscape or the fresh air or the lack of distractions, helps to clear my mind. Then, the plot, or characters, become clearer, and I return home refreshed, knowing the direction the story is going to take. 

I also treated myself to a drum kit, when I reached a recent milestone birthday, and the discipline of concentrating on keeping time is another good distraction.

STRANGE TIMES but Life must go on

STRANGE TIMES

but Life must go on.

I'm sitting in my writing studio, listening to the wind howling outside. The branches of the oak tree are rattling on the roof - must cut them back - and the sea looks angry, with white horses piling up. Plus life is extra stressful in my day job as a garden designer, with materials becoming difficult to source. Not surprising in the current circumstances, but still frustrating. However, I'm safe and warm so I shouldn't really complain.

Despite the difficulties in making progress on my current book, BLOOD ON THE GARDEN and, of course, Aggie is in it, assisting her 'master' DI Sonny Russell with his cases.

In this book I've decided to incorporate the plant knowledge I've accumulated in my working life. As an aside, I only started gardening seriously less than 20 years ago, when my work as a freelance modelmaker began drying up. I used to carry a library of 'how to garden' books and plant encyclopedias around in my car when I started. Learning the necessary skills was a steep learning curve, culminating in three medal winning gardens at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show and a career in garden design. So I think I'm reasonably qualified now.

I've used my skills in designing and building a courtyard garden in my little holiday let cottage in Northiam....

 ...And I am gradually transforming the garden at home.

I do like a wild, jungle feel, as you can see, and have all too easily achieved this on the 39 Steps up to my studio. The plants are: Tetrapanax papyrifer - Rice paper plant, Lysimachia clethroides - Gooseneck loosestrife, Alchemilla mollis - Lady's mantle and Leycesteria formosa - Himalayan honeysuckle.

As mentioned above, I'm going to incorporate my plant knowledge in the new book - which will go well with the title. So be prepared for some colourful passages!

STACKS OF STACKS

STACKS OF STACKS

I love seeing the huge stone stacks that appear at regular intervals on 'my' beach. I've met the chap who skilfully builds them, knowing that quite soon someone will come along and knock them over. He just loves building them and can't stop doing it. Others make smaller stacks and every so often - when it's not windy - I make my own rock balances. I only ever use three rocks but get great satisfaction in getting them to balance. Aggie is always with me but, as you can see, she finds them a bit of a yawn.