Blog

2nd February 2023

Posted on 2nd February, 2023

I knew there was something I’d forgotten to do and it was this. Not sure if anyone reads my monthly diary – perhaps I should call it a journal as diary means every day. Anyway here we go.

The weather has been horrible but it’s sunny today so my solar panels will be generating lots of lovely electricity. I’ve bought an air fryer – heaven knows why its called that as it doesn’t fry, it’s a small, very powerful convection oven. I’ve, so far, cooked two lots of fish fingers, baked mushrooms and a potato and tomato meal. All were excellent. Halloumi cheese works well. Next will be cauliflower cheese.

I decided, foolishly, to make a batch of three fruit marmalade. I wandered off whilst it was boiling and it went over and smothered my hob, work surface, cupboard door and floor. I’ve cleaned everywhere many times and am still finding sticky bits. It tastes wonderful so I suppose it was worth it. I only eat a small pot of marmalade in a couple of months so 9lbs is rather too much for me. Have given away most of it.

My gravel garden is completed and here are the pictures.

I’ve booked a week’s holiday in Paros where my cousin now lives and this time, my third visit, I’m taking my niece and great niece. It will be hot in July but can’t wait.

I’ve booked and paid for the RNA Awards evening –  I’m not shortlisted, maybe another year  – but three of Boldwood writers are. This is on March 6th. How expensive it has become since last year – 60% increase in hotel and ticket costs. I’ve also booked for the RNA conference being held at Imperial College, London. I had given up on attending one again as I wasn’t prepared to go to some dismal, minor university campus in the middle of nowhere in the north of England and stay in nasty student accommodation and have to endure poor catering and a programme that offered nothing for established writers such as myself. Yes, it’s almost 200% more expensive but worth every penny. Luxury double room, top rate catering and fantastic programme catering for everyone. In Kensington to boot!

On the writing front I’ve done the first round of edits for the sixth book in the Goodwill House series and am halfway through the seventh and final one in the this series of Goodwill House. There is possibly going to be a second series, featuring some of your favourite characters,  when the house is a hospital and convalescent home for RAF personnel. The fifth book, A Wartime Reunion at Goodwill House is out on 1st March. There will be other very exciting news on the book front next month. I’ll then be writing a new series about girls in the ATS.

best wishes

Fenella J Miller