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Beyond Midnight - Working Title

The finished book

This is a working title. Unedited. Comments welcome. Thank you for reading :-)

Beyond Midnight - working title

Chapter One

The black Porsche careered wildly down the Sicilian Madonie Mountain road. Don Roberto, head of one of Italy’s distinguished Mafia clans, gripped the wheel, fighting to keep control. Beads of sweat erupted on his forehead running down into his eyes obscuring his vision. 

   That dreaded voice was in his head again, hounding him, generating such excruciating pain he felt his head was about to explode. A physically strong man he struggled to manoeuvre the car round the hair-pin bend, cursing as it slid sideways down the treacherous road. The sea glittered below. Almost home, almost home. Come on, come on concentrate you old fool. His thoughts raced as fast as the car. Just another couple of kilometers then I’m down this damned mountain. You won’t get away with this Hyacinth. The pain intensified. It blinded him but he knew the road well enough to start pumping the brakes. You bloody bitch. I need to slow down.  

   He was approaching the dangerous unguarded bend that curved round the mountain side. Briefly his vision cleared. A deer stood frozen in the middle of the road staring at him. Instinctively he swung the car to miss her, the tyres screeched and he lost control. 

   The Porsche launched from the road like a rocket, briefly suspended in mid-air then plummeted downwards. As it bounced and rolled down the mountain the pain in Don Roberto’s head exploded: he lost consciousness. 

   When he came too he couldn’t recall what had happened. He was trapped in the car, the pain continued to sear through his brain, yet his body felt numb. He focused on his hands, then his legs: no blood, except for a few scratches and yet he couldn’t move. He felt the heat of the day, it was scorching hot, he looked out of the car windscreen and saw an eagle hovering silently above. Oh to be free! Using what little strength he could muster he reached into the glove compartment for his mobile phone. It was still intact.

He sent for help. The pain in his head attacked again, worse than ever this time. He passed out cold.

   Rescuers found him in a critical condition. Care and time were of the essence to cut him from the wreckage of his car before he could be airlifted to hospital. The biggest concern was the sparks from the cutting equipment setting light to the petrol fumes.

   In her home in the Scottish Highlands, Dr Hyacinth Dickinson came out of her meditation smiling. She stood up and walked across her bedroom to gaze out onto the Cairngorm Mountains. Her gaze lifted from the high peaks into the clear blue sky.  Mission accomplished. She sighed contentedly. Now I can make plans to set sail for Cannes. Then maybe go onto Sicily. Her musical laugh echoed through the house as she ran downstairs into the kitchen. Time to scry.

   Hyacinth cupped the crystal bowl in both hands and gazed into the spring water. Mediterranean Blue eyes reflected back at her, then widened as the water swirled and separated into images. She could see a helicopter crash. Go away. Please leave me alone. I’m so sorry Steph. 

   ‘What are you doing?’ Dorothy said as she dashed into the room. ‘I heard the sound of breaking glass.’ 

   ‘I saw the helicopter crash, and saw Steph’s body lying in the snow all limp and broken. It was my fault, Dorothy.’ 

   ‘Don’t cry. Come on, let me give you a hug.’ Dorothy cradled Hyacinth until she stopped sobbing. ‘She chose to go with you, remember. You didn’t force her.’ 

   ‘Yes, but I didn’t give her much choice.’ She was sobbing again.

  ‘Hyacinth, you’ll have to stop this. It’s been nearly two years since the crash, and you seem to be getting worse, not better. I think you may need counseling, or something.’

   ‘Counseling? You must be joking! Just give me some more of your medicine. That will help. I have some in the drawer.’ Hyacinth pointed to her solid oak bureau that stood in the corner of her kitchen.

   Dorothy opened the drawer. ‘What’s this?’ She shook a bottle of tablets at Hyacinth.

   ‘Anti-depressants.’

  ‘Where did you get them?’ Dorothy was stunned. She had been like a mother, and confidante to Hyacinth since she was a teenager, both her parents lived in South Africa, and Dorothy had been matron at the boarding school Hyacinth had attended. ‘I’m waiting.’

   ‘The hospital.’

  ‘Which hospital? You’ve never been out of the house since you arrived here.’

  ‘When I was locum at St. Gregory’s.’

  ‘They gave them to you?’

  ‘Not exactly.’

  ‘Please don’t tell me you stole them.’

  ‘Borrowed. I borrowed them.’

  ‘Hyacinth, you know I’m always here for you, but you are so stupid sometimes. Do you really want the police sniffing around again?’

   ‘You’re right, but I feel so guilty, not only about the helicopter crash, but for lying to the police in the first place.’

   ‘So you have a conscience after all.’ Dorothy crossed to the aga to put the kettle on to boil. Her bones creaked, as she bent to pick up the broken crystal that lay in front of her.

   Hyacinth jumped up and grabbed Dorothy’s arm thinking she was going to fall. ‘I’ll do that, are you ok?’ Hyacinth knew Dorothy’s body was letting her down. She didn’t complain much, the sound of her joints rubbing together said it all. ‘I’ll pay for your hip replacement, just say the word.’

   ‘I’m fine. Don’t need any operation, thanks. Just a bit of old age, and the winter weather here in the Scottish Highlands. I’m sure the winters are getting worse.’ She struggled on. ‘I have to keep moving, or I’ll cease up altogether.’ 

   ‘What would I do without you? You are an angel.’

   ‘So are you, with black wings.’ Dorothy chuckled as she made tea for them both. ‘Here, I’ve added a drop of whisky as a pick me up. It’ll do us both good.’ She handed Hyacinth a mug with a purple letter H printed on it.

   The sound of bagpipes filtered through from the lounge.

   ‘My blackberry.’

   ‘Hadn’t you better answer it?’

   ‘No. It’ll be the hospital again. They’ll be wondering when I’m returning to work.’

   ‘I think now’s the time. You’ve been here six months now, you can’t hide here forever.’

   ‘I love this place. It’s so peaceful.’ She looked out of the window at the view of the Cairngorms. ‘And, I can walk around the grounds without being bothered by people.’

   ‘Yes, but you are so good at your job, you should be thinking about the patients, and not yourself.’ Dorothy rested her mug on the table, and spread her hands. ‘Use your expertise.’ She tapped her fingers on the table. ‘Phone the hospital, and tell them you will be back next week, and get rid of them tablets.’ Dorothy struggled to her feet and shifted the empty mugs. ‘I’ll stay with you until you go back.’ 

   ‘Thank you. I’ll throw the tablets in the bin, tomorrow.’

   ‘Make sure you do. I have all the medication you need, don’t get addicted to anti-depressants, or you’ll never be rid of them.’

   ‘Yes, mother.’ Hyacinth smiled at Dorothy as she disposed of the broken glass into a recycle bin. 

   Hyacinth picked up her Blackberry and called St. Gregory’s. ‘I’ll be back next week. I’ll work for two weeks as a locum, and then I will be away for two months’ She said.

Copyright Ellen Dean ©

Beautiful Strangers eBook Sale

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Infocus Magazine - Northallerton

The Summer Issue of Infocus Magazine
will be dropping through your letterbox about now. At least it will if you live in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

This quality magazine is brimming with useful information, offers, places to go and people to see. There is something for everyone within its pages. And, there are exciting competitions to enter too.

It's a great publication to advertise your business/service in. Plus, it's delivered by Royal Mail to more than 14,000 residential and business addresses quarterly. A terrific opportunity not to be missed. Contact: Christine Campbell www.jkanorth.com

I am delighted to be a part of this issue. Check out the article on page 12.

Beautiful Strangers Book Trailer

The haunts and habits of Hyacinth Dickinson - lead character from my novel Beautiful Strangers.

The revised edition of Beautiful Strangers ISBN 978-0-9559679-1-7 with its brand new cover will be available during June 2009.

It has taken a couple of weeks to make this slideshow, I'm beginning to feel like a virtual recluse. I hope you enjoy it.

Ellen Dean meets Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn arrived at my home yesterday!
Okay, so she took the form of a print on a T-shirt - but I got your attention, didn't I? ;-)

I ordered a T-shirt from Iffyton www.iffyton.co.uk via their website, and the delivery was so fast it left me spinning.
Impressive!

I ordered a pale pink, medium size. The one that arrived was not pink, but more of a light red. Better colour, actually. When I unpacked it I thought it was going to be too big, but no it fits really well.
I took a pic to let you see Audrey and I spinning records together!


I love this T-shirt, it's 100% cotton, well made, and good quality. It feels nice, and is comfortable to wear. I am waiting to see how the 1% magic mentioned on the tag 'mixes' with my 100% magic personality ;-) Maybe it will turn me into a professional DJ!

The next 'spinning session' will take place in the washing machine. Watch this space for updates.

But, before I sign off, I want to mention how easy it was to navigate the Iffyton website. They have a great selection of fabulous T-shirts.
Check it out.

Cherish - Macmillan Charity Fundraiser

Last night I put on my glad rags and headed up north to the Slug and Lettuce in Durham City. They were holding another fundraiser. This time it was for the Macmillan Nurses.

This charity is close to my heart because I know how hard Macmillan nurses work, and how vitally important their work is.

The entertainment for the evening was provided by the fabulous, and fashionable, Miss Kitty Lit-teur. Miss Kitty is very supportive of the Cherish fundraisers. I was delighted that this time you included your brilliant Shirley Bassey routine complete with your dancers fresh back from the cruise liner. Hope they enjoyed life on the ocean waves.

Sat Nav (Gloria) couldn't make it this time ;-( she had to look after Katie (our horse) as there was to be a fireworks display close by, and Katie is scared of fireworks! So she stayed at home with her.

So, my niece came with me, and once inside we met up with Ken (Kitty's son, and my dancing partner) and Rolly (Kitty's partner).

Karaoke is part of this fun night, and there were plenty of singers keen to take the stage. Well done all of you for taking part. It takes guts to get up there and strut your stuff.

Sheila from Brandon - I promised you a mention - sang 'Lipstick On Your Collar'. You were a great sport, and it was good to meet you.

Ken you were right - it was a 'Kind of Magic' and you sang just for me like you promised. Thanks ;-)

It must have been good music because my niece was actually dancing with me. Where's the video camera when you want one?
Usually she says I show her up, and pretends she's not related.
Can you believe that?
No - I thought not ;-)

Abigail it was good to see you again, next time I expect to see you dancing ;-)

Mercury - Queen Tribute Band - Rocks Masham

'We will, we will, Rock You', and you did guys.

You are 'The Champions' my friends.





What a super show Sat Nav and I went to see last night. It was the first time we'd seen this brilliant band . . . but it won't be the last. Even Sat Nav was up on her feet dancing, and that takes some motivation ;-) Ouch!

Mercury absolutely rocked Masham. Fantastic, brilliant, terrific musicality. I could go on and on. Lee you even look like Freddie - an uncanny likeness. Thanks for letting me wear your crown. Gosh! Isn't it heavy!

The band played to a full house, and we all got down and dirty. The atmosphere was electric. My feet are still sore, probably due to the fact that I wore heels to dance. Will I never learn?

Sorry you only got one piece of cake Andy, but the band ate it all. It wasn't me - honest. I only had two pieces ;-)

Shaun, you've done it again. You always bring the best tribute bands to Masham.

Fiction

The definition of fiction in the Collins Gem dictionary = prose, literary works of the imagination; invented statement or story - fictional, fictitious, not genuine, false; imaginary; assumed.

Now this makes me ask why do some reviewers of 'fiction' criticize the fact that the stories are imaginary, and/or unbelievable? Surely this is what fiction is all about, taking the reader into another place. Certainly the imaginary part is, although a lot of characteristics, events, places, and emotions are real. The fictitious story that weaves through all of the above is invented by the writer - born in the writers imagination.

But let's stop and think for a second...what about Dracula, and the numerous vampire stories that abound today? What about werewolves, and zombies? Do some readers expect to meet a zombie in the supermarket?
Perhaps some reviewers know more than us writers of fiction do. Perhaps their next door neighbour sleeps in a coffin in the cellar and only comes out at night wearing a black cloak and flashing his pearly whites, and exercises his werewolf before going to work at the blood bank!
If this is the case then I would like to know!

Which takes me back to unbelievable situations, and characters.
Well, I'll bet you've all said at least once in your lifetime, "I never thought I would find myself in a situation like that. It was unbelievable."
I rest my case.

Fictional characters are a magic and heady mix of a writers imagination. They can, and will do totally unexpected things. It all adds to the character's flavour.
Every reader will react differently to a books characters, they will love some and hate some, and just accept some. If strong emotion is generated then the writer has created a successful character. Some reviewers will react and think, oh god that character could be me! Another might think, I could write better than that. In my experience this type of reviewer has usually never written more than a shopping list.

Some reviewers favour certain authors (don't we all?).
I enjoy reading James Herbert, Sat Nav loves reading Jilly Cooper. But we don't criticize other authors just because these are our current top favourites.
I read lots of fiction and non-fiction. Some I like, and some I don't. It's all down to personal taste.
If someone asks my opinion on a book I always give the positive points as I see them, never the negative. Even if I didn't particularly enjoy the book I do this, because how do I know that the person asking my opinion will not think it's the best thing they've ever read? Again, it's personal taste.

So all you fiction writers out there, keep writing...you are all brilliant!

'Oh What a Night' - Darlington Civic Theatre

Last night Sat Nav and I went to see Kid Creole (without his coconuts) at Darlington Civic Theatre in a show called 'Oh What A Night!'

We were to meet up with my sister and her friend. We were traveling to the theatre from different directions.... Sat Nav and I heading North while my sister and her friend headed South. We were to meet in the middle, at Darlington.
Sis and friend had decided to have a meal before the show, so when we arrived I phoned her. They were in the Indian restaurant beside the theatre and were told that if they presented their show tickets then they would receive a 10% discount!

I could see the Indian restaurant as we walked towards the ticket office. After collecting our tickets we came out of said Ticket Office and went into the restaurant. Or so we thought!

I looked around and couldn't see my sister anywhere.
A waitress said 'would you like to come this way' I said 'yes, but I'm looking for my sister'. By that time a waiter carrying pizza's walk past us - strange in an Indian restaurant - the penny should have dropped then really. By that time everyone had turned to look at us, probably wondering why we were looking so blank.

I said to the waitress 'is this the Indian restaurant' she said 'no this is the Italian....the Indian Restaurant is next door' lol!!!
How embarrassing is that?

In my defence even though they are next door to each other they do appear to merge into one.. lol!!! That's my excuse anyway...

So we eventually found my sister and her friend enjoying a curry next door in the Indian Restaurant, and they got their 10% off. And the very nice guy in the Indian restaurant brought Sat Nav and I a couple of After Eight mints. How sweet is that ?

On with the show.....The curtain went up at 8pm and the audience were on their feet and dancing in the aisles from then on.

Kid Creole (without his coconuts) but with some great dancers, absolutely rocked. I just love 70s disco music. Now...I know that some may call me sad, but I don't care....you can't beat it.

Here's a taste of the tunes, Celebration, We Are Family, Young Hearts Run Free, Oh What A Night, YMCA and I Will Survive, that we - the audience - took over......bloody marvelous.

The show had a fab finale with terrific audience participation. I doubt if Darlington Civic has rocked so enthusiastically before.....not since The Rocky Horror Show, at least!

That's two nights we've had out on the trot and we are 'in the doghouse' with our lovely dog for leaving him twice!!! Just to make us feel extra guilty he has refused to eat all of his breakfast this morning :-(
He'll have to have lots of special attention today to get us back into his good books. In true doggy fashion he is extremely good at making us feel guilty.....

Cherish - Charity Fundraiser.

Cherish and Miss Kitty Lit-teur - a fun night!
Last Thursday night I was invited to attend a charity bash at the Slug and Lettuce in Durham. The night was billed as 'Cherish'. All proceeds went to the Butterwick Hospice to help them to look after terminally ill children. I gladly donated a signed copy of my novel Beautiful Strangers to their fund raising efforts.

Luckily I was able to attend, so Sat Nav (Gloria) and I set off up the A1 to County Durham.

Well, I have to tell you something unbelievable...Sat Nav failed me that night! I know you won't believe me, but it's true! I wouldn't care, but I lived in County Durham for years, yet couldn't find my way to The Slug and Lettuce in the city centre. lol!!!

Happily we were rescued from going round and round the roundabouts!
How??????..... I can hear you all shouting!

Well, my niece Amy was on hand because she'd decided to join us and share our night out. A quick distress call to her and she guided us in. All I can say is thank goodness for mobile phones, & Sat Nav - you're sacked! Ouch!

All of the staff at the Slug and Lettuce are courteous and friendly - without exception.
Hazel (deputy manager) who invited me, and Abigail (Manager) were charming, and ensured we were enjoying our evening.

The cabaret and hostess for the evening was billed as Miss Kitty Lit-teur, one of the North East's top Drag Queens. We were in for a treat.......and a helluva surprise!

Why? Well let me tell you. Miss Kitty is one of our long lost friends. Of course there was no chance to catch up properly, it was a brief hello and on with the show.

The show was spectacular! The costumes absolutely fabulous, and the audience participation went down a storm.

Of course I was dancing as usual. Only this time I had a terrific toy boy to dance with. Kenneth - what an absolute charmer you are........
and just like your Dad - a terrific mover ;-)

It was great to see Rolly, another special old friend. Catch up soon Rolly, eh?

Now if you want to see Miss Kitty then visit her website for dates and venues. I do believe she is coming back to Durham in a month's time at the Slug and Lettuce. Check out the websites.

http://www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/durham


I'm sorry I don't have any pics to show you. I forgot my camera :-(

Well done to the organizers for a great evening, and for raising £400.

Rock and Roll meets Physiotherapy!

I'd been looking forward to seeing this band for weeks, and to catching up with Andy and Shaun. And as you might already know I love to put on my dancing shoes and make an exhibition of myself.

However...I've had a slight hitch as a couple of days previously I was attacked by the wind!

Again, it's no secret that my daily chores include cleaning up after our lovely Katie (horse) - and I'm a proper little Trojan because I do this in all weathers.
For those of you who are familiar with picking up after horses you will know the tools of the trade. For those who are not I'll try to describe them.... a rake that's hard to describe, but very light, and a scoop that resembles a hood on a stick.

I was working away, I'd emptied several scoops into the wheelbarrow in the field, and was carefully picking my way back through the mud into the top paddock when whooooosh...the wind howled around the corner and picked up the scoop - and me - with such force that I became a kite!
I was momentarily swept off my feet in what seemed like slow motion then dumped down hard right onto a boulder. Would you believe I was surrounded by grass, and mud, but I had to bang my hip on the only sodding boulder!

It didn't hurt at the time, so I got up, laughed about it, and carried on. The wind tried to get me again, but I was ahead of it. It wasn't going to catch me out a second time.
Katie looked somewhat amused by it all - but didn't come to offer any help, but did leave me another deposit!

Yesterday was a different story. I was in pain aaaaaarrrrrrrgggghhhhhh!
But...I was determined I wasn't going to let it spoil my dancing, and it didn't...I had waited too long to see this band.

T-Rex had a support group, so we got an unexpected treat.
And I say treat because you don't always know what you're going to get with a support band. But this group rocked!
They are called 'Helter Skelter'. I understand they come from Huddersfield...look out for them, they deserve bigger things. In fact they could have carried the night.

The Town Hall was packed, standing room only. So, I had to keep dancing to give my hip some physiotherapy. Naturally the T-Rex Tribute band were great.

I nearly forgot to tell you, our friend Brian (my Fling it Here, Fling it There co-star) had been pressured into local village hall duties. Of course being the good friend that I am, I rang his mobile phone and let him here the music. Within fifteen minutes Brian appeared in the doorway with a big smile on his face.

During the interval we all enjoyed yummy chocolate cake courtesy of Andy.
Thanks Andy! It was delicious.

Needless to say I am suffering today with my hip, and am in agony sat here typing this! But it was well worth it ;-)

Countryside Pursuits!

Full Moon or Uranus?
I wasn't sure whether I should tell you about this........but I will 'cos it was funny.

Yesterday, while Sat Nav and I were out for a walk with our dog Jack, we came across a walker who was stood looking at his map. He had just climbed over the style from a field and was standing in the grass close to the roadside.

We knew he was not alone, that he had a female companion with him, because we'd seen them walking across the field towards the style. Plus, they were wearing bright red jackets, so couldn't really be missed.

It's not unusual for us to see lots of walkers around here, and they are invariably chatty. This guy was no exception. As soon as we were alongside of him, he spoke and deliberately engaged us in conversation. He left us no alternative but to stop and chat, and being the polite pair that we are, we did just that.

His female companion did not appear over the style though, but stayed behind the hedgerow - which I thought was a bit odd.

I soon found out why!

Remember, it's winter here in England, and the hedgerow is very thin - actually skeleton thin!

While we were discussing the delights of the warm weather, something attracted my attention through the hedge. There was a flash. I couldn't believe my eyes...why was I seeing a full moon in the middle of the day?...the female (who was still behind the hedgerow with her back to me) suddenly pulled down her trousers, and YES, you've got it - she proceeded to have a pee!!! But did she know that she was doing it in full view for all to see?????
Somehow I don't think so ;-)

I snook a glance at Sat Nav and her expression said it all! Then I had a tremendous urge to cover Jack's eyes lol!!!

Meanwhile, said man is still rabbiting on seemingly oblivious to the fact that his companion is relieving herself not three feet away lol!

How I kept a straight face I'll never know - needless to say Sat Nav and I couldn't look at each other until we were well out of earshot!

Now I know what the term 'Ring around Uranus' means lol!!!

Hope this little tale brightens your day!

Masham Players Spring Production 2008

Our spring play for 2008 is the gentle comedy "The Bolt Hole" by Langton
Smith. This is a three act play set in an isolated farm house on Dartmoor
and has a cast of four women and five men.

The reading for the play was held in January and was well attended. Since
then rehearsals have been progressing steadily with a good deal of fun and
laughter. In addition to 'old hands' we are pleased to welcome a new
producer, Susan Rouse, plus four newcomers to the Masham stage.

We wish them all the best and feel sure that they will all enjoy their first experience of "treading the boards" at the Town Hall . . . and we all know what that feels like ;-)

Venue: The Town Hall, Masham, North Yorkshire.
Performance dates: March 13th, 14th, and 15th.
Curtain up at 7.30pm. sharp!
Tickets on sale from Marsden Pharmacy, Market Place, Masham, during normal business hours.

Blood Pressure!

Well . . . I have been back to my GP for my results today.

You will all be delighted to learn that my heart is beating just as it should. My bad cholesterol level isn't too high; I just need to keep a watchful eye on my diet. The muffins are still off limits though ;-(

As for the smoking . . . well, I will try my very best to stop!

There is one little irritation that needs some attention - no, not Gloria (or Sat Nav as some of you will know her) . . . how could you all think that lol!!!
It seems my blood pressure is misbehaving, and very soon I will have to use a monitor for a week. And then yet another visit to my doctors . . . but what chance do I stand when they insist on playing such awful music in the waiting room! Bring on the rest and relaxation cd's PLEASE!

Life's a Beach!

To celebrate the sunshine and a special date in our personal calender Sat Nav (Gloria) and I decided to have an away day. Because we live in the heart of the countryside we thought it would be nice to go to the beach for a change. Sat Nav had a yearning to see the sea. So we packed the car, told our dog Jack that he was in for a treat, and headed off to Filey.

As you probably know things never go as smoothly as one would wish in our camp! Our journeys are legendary.
Yesterday, Sat Nav was on good form until we reached a roundabout complete with diversion signs, that we hadn't seen until we were ready to come off the roundabout at the wrong exit. Sat Nav got in a flap when I said, 'a trip to the opticians might be in order!'

What followed was a very interesting and totally bloody confusing detour, zig zagging through an industrial estate, a large housing estate, ending up in a Morrisons petrol station.

Sat Nav went in to ask for help and the extremely kind and helpful cashier who used to live in Filey gave her perfect directions to get us back on course. A big THANK YOU is in order here.

We arrived at Filey expecting to see a deserted beach and a handful of people. Despite the sunshine it's still winter. So you can imagine our total shock to see that the world and his wife were there, complete with a nation of dogs and hardly a parking space to be found.

Of course we did find one because I always believe that I will and set out to join the throng.

We enjoyed a walk along the beach, were intrigued by the sculptured cliffs and the happy holiday atmosphere. Jack wanted to be everywhere at once, and he couldn't understand why this big puddle could move. Although he's not one for getting his feet wet in normal circumstances, he was desperate to take a closer look at the North Sea and tried to take me with him ;-)




You'll be pleased to know that our journey home was without hiccups. And, as with all of the best story's, we drove off into the most beautiful sunset you can imagine.

All-in-all a truly special day - although at one point I was on the verge of sacking Sat Nav!

One more thing. Beware! Inflation hits Filey - make a note that the middle 'attended' toilets will cost you 40p for a pee!!!!!!!! So if you need to go, don't go here!

A horse with a sense of humour . . .

and a passion for water.

A lot of horses don't like water. In fact some positively freak out if they have to go through it. Not ours!

Yesterday and today have been two of the wettest days we've had this year, and our home field is absolutely sodden. So, our horse Katie, who loves water - and mud - decided to play in her new pond!
She was a Grey Mare and now looks more like Black Beauty lol!
Thank goodness she was wearing her best winter coat so that she wasn't completely black.

The land falls away from the house down the valley, just gently, but enough so that we can't actually see the ground in a far corner of Katie's home field from our windows. What we hadn't realized was that the rain had collected in this corner giving Katie something she's probably always wanted - a really deep paddling pool.

The first we knew about it was when we saw her trying to dig a hole in that corner - or so we thought - what she was actually doing was splashing like hell and having a whale of a time.
As a result said lovely winter coat is soaked and so is she.
After a really good splash about she was totally giddy and rocketed up the field bucking for joy.
What can we say, except . . . there's life in the old mare yet?! Or, is she just completely crackers?!
Happily, we can say both ;-)

Ruth Atkinson - Women of Windlestone

From one of my November 2007 blogs came an interesting discovery.

This particular blog was about my childhood friend Anita's birthday. Remember on her birthday she was presenting on Bishopfm Radio and we surprised her with a visit? On that day her daughter Ruth Atkinson was guesting on the show to talk about her film/documentary entitled 'Women of Windlestone'. Ruth researched, directed and produced the film herself and, it seems, Ruth uncovered a Government secret that had been kept for 60 years.

Windlestone Hall, in County Durham, was originally built and owned by the Eden family. It is now empty and in need of some TLC.
Well . . . it seems as a direct result of this particular blog . . . a descendant of the Eden family contacted Anita regarding Ruth's film.
This is quite a coincidence and it just goes to prove, yet again, the power of the internet and blogging.

Ruth is a well respected script supervisor. She will be jetting off to the Middle East next week on behalf of the BBC. You can check her out on IMDb.

All the best Ruth.

Low-energy light bulbs.

It was interesting, and depressing, to read the article in Saturday's Daily Mail January 5th by Jenny Hope their medical correspondent.

The heading read Low-energy light bulbs can damage your skin and the first line read ENERGY-SAVING light bulbs can be bad for your skin, doctors are warning.

The article went on to say several other things including a quote from Doctor Colin Holden president of the BAD who said, 'It is important that patients with photo sensitive skin are allowed to use lights that don't exacerbate their condition. Photo sensitive eruptions range from disabling eczema-like reactions, to light sensitivities that can lead to skin cancer.'

The article urges the government to allow incandescent light bulbs to be available for these people as, according to Andrew Langford of the Skin Care Campaign, incandescent light bulbs are the only source of electric light suitable for many thousands of people with light-sensitive conditions.

Apparently these Low-energy light bulbs also cause eye irritation, blurred vision, Migraine and dizziness.

This is affecting me and I couldn't understand why. Now I know. I found out a couple of years ago when I consulted a GP/Homeopath for something entirely different. He told me then that I was sensitive to fluorescent lights. At the time I didn't realize that Low-energy light bulbs came into that category so promptly changed all of our light bulbs thinking I was doing the right thing. I wonder how many other people have done the same? Today I went out and bought two ordinary light bulbs and was surprised to find another customer doing the same thing while expressing the same concerns - she too had read the article.

I did use the Government's recommended energy bulbs with the ESR logo - not cheap rubbish.
I will eventually replace all of our energy light bulbs!

I hope the Government take on board the seriousness of the Daily Mail's report. They complain about the high cost of the NHS so lets hope they don't make it higher by ignoring these health warnings. After all, they banned smoking in public places. I think this is worse because you can't see the nasty energy coming from light bulbs. And, of course in winter it's worse - because you need to have the lights on more.

Now I will get off my soapbox.

I would appreciate your thoughts about this and would love to hear from you.