Kellie Castle Taking advantage of my National Trust membership, Kellie Castle and Gardens was a site I hadn’t visited before so I was excited to drive out and see what was there. Originally a tower house, the oldest part believed to date from around 1360. In keeping with similar properties, it underwent extensions through subsequent … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 216
Astrology I’ve never really paid any attention to the signs of the Zodiac other than a mug I have with my own star sign and this mug is so old I’ve forgotten how I came to own it, but it’s always been there. It’s never been used for drinking tea or coffee, and has stored … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 215
Paris As I sit here writing this I can see from the newsfeed the protests currently taking place in Paris, and other areas of France. I’m just back from Paris and decided to jot down a few thoughts as a holding position as I’m forever slipping behind with new posts and I have a lot … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 214
Writing Update In Part 196 I outlined what I expected to be doing over the next few months. It didn’t work out as I imagined, but that’s okay. To quote John Lennon, ‘Life is what happens to you, while you’re busy making other plans.’ The book market has certainly changed dramatically this year, notably with … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 213
Split Visiting historic sites when the temperature is above thirty Celsius has its cons, but the pros outweigh them. The weather maybe glorious, but when entering walled towns, it can feel like an oven, even early in the morning. But viewing Roman Architecture against a brilliant blue sky, is worth the effort. This visit was … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 212
Positano During the summer I spent a couple of days in the Italian town of Positano. Although I had seen photographs of the place, there is nothing that prepares you for the magnificence that is the Amalfi Coast. Built into the cliffside, the town is like a stadium, with houses akin to seating, each row … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 211
Kotor Describing the scenery of Kotor – a UNESCO-listed medieval city – as stunning is an understatement. The approach into the bay as the sun starts to rise is one of those unforgettable moments. The water is like glass and the reflection of the towering mountains makes for a scene that defies reality. The country … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 210
Sorrento While staying for a few days in Sorrento this summer, I took time to visit the Museo Correale di Terranova. This opened in 1924, the result of Count Alfredo Correale and his brother Pompeo, donating their works of art, housed in the Villa alla Rota, an impressive eighteenth-century residence. The museum collection is on … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 209
Pompeii During the trip to Italy this summer, I managed to take in Pompeii, a place I had always wanted to visit. I was aware of the basic history of the site and the tragedy that took place during the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, burying the city in ash, but that … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 208
Phoenician Steps During a trip to Italy in the summer, initially staying in Positano and then moving onto Sorrento, it was a short hop from there to Capri, an island situated in the bay of Naples. Fortunately I wasn’t going for the shopping, as it is very expensive. However, it does have the Scala Fenicia … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 207
