Published in Weeds & Wildflowers·8 hours agoMember-onlyA Trip To The Wilds Of Southern EnglandA week or so ago, I took a week-long trip to see family. It was a multi-stage trip collecting one family member en route, and another one on the way back; a round trip of just over 360 miles. As an aside, I’m aware that the British see distances differently…Photography5 min read
Published in Six Word Photo Story Challenge·15 hours agoMember-onlyPeace Message Falls Prey To QuarrelSix Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — The ecologically sound positive message trail. A family visit today brought together the young cousins ranging in age from 5 to 10. The two oldest (sisters) told the tale of how they and their friends had set out with coloured chalks up and down their street, creating a “positive message trail” on the walls and pavements…Peace2 min read
Published in Flint and Steel·4 days agoMember-onlyHere I Am In Books — Give Or Take A “Y”Paula: the autobiography of long-distance runner, Paula Radcliffe. It was readable, but not one that I will read again. Clearly, it would be of greater interest to those who are into running. She achieved a lot during her career. Eating Children: another autobiography; this one by Jill Tweedie. Sadly, she…Reading4 min read
Published in Flint and Steel·6 days agoMember-onlyPenny Ponders On Dread Cold“Here comes the fear!” — Dread Cold will do what it says on the tin. Its guest editor is author Matt Adcock. As well as editing the collection, Adcock has also contributed to the anthology. He has an impressive track record. …Fantastic Books3 min read
Published in Flint and Steel·Jul 31Member-onlyMelodie Muses On A Very Old Bull & Other AnimalsPerilaus II by Mark P Henderson is a psychological crime drama that will whisk you along into what one reviewer called a psychiatrist’s nightmare. It’s an adult novel and very cleverly constructed as it takes you along with the protagonist, Doug Carmichael, on a nightmare journey where nothing can be…Mark P Henderson3 min read
Published in Six Word Photo Story Challenge·Jul 30Member-onlyThe View From The Breakfast TableSummer Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Shine!” — The river flows into the sky. We ate breakfast this morning overlooking the shining expanse of the River Arun. The smooth sheen on the water stretched out towards the English Channel with no hint of the currents that twist about beneath the surface as the river meets the sea. Across the road is the lifeboat station…Rnli1 min read
Published in Flint and Steel·Jul 30Member-onlyMelodie Muses On A Modern Shipwreck(this is NOT a children’s book) — An Excess Of… by Stuart Aken is an eco-thriller with adult themes and strong language. Shipwreck has to be scary The book starts in the dead of night, with one of the characters woken suddenly in their cramped cabin, the floor already wet with seawater. Shipwreck has to be scary…Books Recommendation3 min read
Published in Flint and Steel·Jul 27Member-onlyMelodie Muses On Rising Tides And Canine FriendsStorm Girl by Linda Nicklin is an eco-thriller suitable for all ages. The whole story plays out against humankind’s relationship with the planet, but Nicklin weaves an intimately human story of a young woman called Angel and some very special relationships with animals along the way. Things are pretty desperate…Linda Nicklin3 min read
Published in Flint and Steel·Jul 26Member-onlyMelodie Muses On Too Much Darned SunThe four Shadeward books, Emanation, Exoneration, Enervation, and Expiation by Drew Wagar are set in a world where the sun never sets. The other side of that coin, of course, is the other side of that same world where the sun never rises. You can imagine, it’s pretty darned hot…Drew Wagar3 min read
Published in Six Word Photo Story Challenge·Jul 26Member-onlyEarly Morning On The English ChannelSummer Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Shine!” — Sea shines in the morning sun. Sitting beside the English Channel, the sun not yet high enough to be uncomfortably hot, I was struck by the shine on the water. There’s barely a breeze today, although the air is never entirely still on this coast, and the past couple of days have seen crisscrossing, white-topped waves…Photography2 min read