Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 10: The Fall

The arrival of Autumn sees all our main characters engaged in enjoyable tasks and projects – picking apples, stacking firewood, making a woodland labyrinth, singing in a choir. Anne-Marie even makes a surprisingly successful Sunday visit to her mother. Andrew is also waiting to hear about the outcome of his phone call from the WigtownContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 10: The Fall”

My novel gets a playlist!

My excellent colleague and friend Devi Vijay lives in India, but we keep in fairly close touch. Knowing our shared interest in music, she recently sent me an article about all the musical works referenced in the writings of a famous Japanese author. The article contained a link to a playlist, so the reader couldContinue reading “My novel gets a playlist!”

Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 9: Closing In

News breaks of two further robberies, this time in Kircudbright, apparently back in July. Harris shows Andrew a series of images of two campervanners and sailors, taken over the last few months. It’s now clear these are the thieves, but the police are nowhere nearer to catching them. Michael, Esme and the girls seem toContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 9: Closing In”

Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 8: Lammas

Andrew stirs DC Harris to make contact following a letter about the art robberies, in the Dumfries Weekly. They are now cautious allies in sharing information and hunches, not least the possibility of a double strike occurring in the near future at Kirkcudbright. Anne-Marie, and her mother, along with Caitlin experience the curiosities of theContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 8: Lammas”

Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 7: Lament for Sarah

His grant application complete, Michael goes camping near Kirkcudbright and thinks he might have bumped into the art robbers. Andrew is facing the first anniversary of Sarah’s death and talks at length to Anne-Marie about the whole story. DC Harris has a disarming conversation with Machars Gordon that chimes with a mysterious camper van, leftContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 7: Lament for Sarah”

Garden exotica

I readily admit that I am no plantsman. I’m simply an untutored gardener who frequently struggles to remember Latin names, or even many of the common ones. In general my approach to the garden is to create an emotional effect that stirs the spirit. I’m interested in the full symphony rather more than its constituentContinue reading “Garden exotica”

Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 5: Spring Fling

Nithsdale is vibrant with Spring at its full height. Andrew keeps up his interest in the local art robbery, though the police investigation appears to have stalled. Anne-Marie and her band have huge success at an arts festival concert, but she upsets Caitlin and her own mother by making plans to spend a weekend withContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 5: Spring Fling”

What’s in a place-name? An interview with Colin Mackenzie

This latest interview in my series about creative and inspiring people living in Dumfries and Galloway, is someone I have never met. Indeed, when I contacted him earlier this year, he informed me that he was about to leave his home region and relocate to Orkney. So I’m looking forward to meeting with him inContinue reading “What’s in a place-name? An interview with Colin Mackenzie”