my journey as a civil war novel writer

Life is more or less returning to normal after the hectic last week of the year. So many social commitments but so much fun! Both trivial pursuit evenings were a great succes and new year's eve was great fun in Deventer. I did not go to bed very late, around 1 o'clock. So I started the new year honoring my resolution to listen to my body. I was cold and tired and just did not want to push myself. I the past I would just have taken another painkil le r and soldiered on, but no more. I really h ope I can keep this up! As usual I start the year with a fresh batch of book. One of my quirks trying to finish my stack by the end of the year. One of the non fiction books is the following. Allison Weir: Katherine Swynford. She has interrested me since re ading the novel Katherine by Anya Seton a few years ago. This story is so unusual you would think it a fairy tale and not true. John of Gaunt a 14th century son of the english king had children with his mistress Katherine but after hi...

I think I have made the decision about the lost files. It was touch, but I think I will go with the middle way. Clean what I have up a bit, pretty it up just a touch and then start! In january I want to ask friends if they know people who would like counseling/coaching knowing that I am only just starting out and of course they will get it at a discount rate. So I don't have to be perfect and can learn without feeling guilty about not being perfect. Also looking into more volunteer work to get experience. The promised reviews. Finished The Founding by Cynthia Harrod Eagles. I just found out it is the first volume of about thirty!!!! And the family sage spans many centuries. I picked this one up because it takes place around the wars of the roses time, one of my favorite time periods. It was written in 1980, makes sense if there are 30 books following. I liked it but I am not wild about it. There were too many characters in the book, about three generations. The action moved a bit t...

Finally decided on a pair of glasses yesterday, not funny. My ideas are very difficult to measure, that means I cannot go to the cheap chains. I did not go for the most expensive option yesterday also because I am 99% convinced that it is not for me. The shop assistant was 99% convinced it would work but I have leant to listen to myself better and stick to my guns. But still the total sum comes close to 700 e uro and I can get only a third back from the tax man, nothing from health insurance because my last glasses are not 3 years old. And there is the dentist with the 2 crowns still to come. Joy! Tax etc i s on my mind a lot today. I need to finish the email for the accountant. The one that is coming to talk to us in december during the 4th study day. Boy do I have a lot of questions for him. I don't understand money matters easily and the site of the tax office is like greek to me. Hopefully this man will be able to make me understand, it is his job after all. Finished Jean Plai...

Back!!!!!! And had such a great time. I am going to cover the trip one day at a time otherwise it will get too long and take me too much writing at once. So today you will be treated to friday. We made good time to Belgium last night. It was a pretty short night on an airbed in a small room. I went to bed around 10 but did not sleep un till 11. And then woke up a few times. We had to get up at 4.30, gulp! I think we were all still feeling tired. Driving to Dunkirk went fine, we arrived just when check-in was c losing and could drive on the boat straight away. It wasn't very busy, we had some breakfast on the boat. And then went outside to watch Dover coming up. It is so spectacual to see the white cliffs looming up. The best way to reach England really. Checkin at the cottage was 4 o'clock in the afternoon and it was now 9 o'clock. We had already decided to go sightseeing today. And the choice of destination was Canterbury. I had been there before in 1985 so I did not remem...