SWAN SONG

Yesterday, there was nothing whiter (snow included) than these magnificent swans - which frequent the water-meadows just behind Winchester College.  

Sometimes they get territorial about their particular stretch of river.  They fly across the surface of the water chasing away intruders - their huge wings beating down - causing everyone to stop and watch them, transfixed.

I've loved swans ever since I was a at school - when a wonderful teacher read aloud the haunting tale of THE CHILDREN OF LIR

You won't find a sadder or more beautiful story anywhere.  It stayed with me for years - and it still echoes in my ears whenever I see a stately swan sliding across the water.  And it reminds me of just how important good teachers are.

Is there any powerful memory from school which lingers with you to this day?

NAPOLI HA TRE COSE BELLE....

Michela writes to say that Naples famously has three beautiful things:  il mare, il Vesuvio e le Sfogliatelle. The latter is a shell or cone-shaped pastry filled with orange-flavoured ricotta - though almond paste or citron peel can also be substituted.  Yummy!

Should you feel encouraged to try this at home (and can speak Italian) - here's how to do it:   SFOGLIATELLA NAPOLETANA

A ROOM WITH A DIFFERENT VIEW

This is the view from my room this morning after a night of relentless and glorious snowfall.

  

And very different from the sight that greeted me back in September

Yet it's the same view.

It made me think about my characters - about how two people can look at the same situation and interpret it in completely opposing ways.  Because what we see and what we feel is related to our own unique experience of life.  

Today I shall be out crunching through the virgin whiteness (if all the sledges haven't got there first) - and imagining when my heroine might find herself out in the silent stillness of a winter's day.....

Do you love the white stuff, too?  I'm aware that some readers live in places where it never falls (Naples!) - so what is the delightful equivalent of snow where you live?

IN THE WORDS OF THE ROLLING STONES.....

This will be the last time......

That I will probably ever legitimately hold a bunch of fragrant blooms while gazing so winsomely at the camera!  

So forgive me if I print this one last photo from Heather's wedding.....and give a big (virtual) bouquet to clever Carol Ferris who designed all the flowers.

Is there anything (like putting your hair in pig-tails or sporting a thigh-skimming pelmet of a skirt) that you don't think YOU will do again?

MAGIC AT THE MAC SHOP

Some time before Christmas, I tried to download one of my favourite songs of all time - but I was defeated by technology.

Fast forward into 2010 - and the genius Colin at the Mac Shop in Southampton has shown me just what to do.

So here you go.  

Somewhere Over The Rainbow - click here

Do you love it as much as I do - or do you love another song more?

FLOWERS AND FROSTING

Gosh, but you readers of romance are passionate devotees of the whirlwind love-affair, aren't you? (Don't know why that should surprise me).
So to continue on the wedding theme, here is a photo of the bride's bouquet - which I caught. Yes, I know. And yes, there were loads of beautiful young girls milling around....but when I saw the fragrant spray of blooms arcing through the air towards me - I just couldn't help myself and clicked straight into competitive mode.
It was a real Chariots Of Fire moment: I was the goal attack in the school netball team again. The mother at the school sports-day who charges forward like a bat out of hell. I leapt into the air (even the memory seems to be in slow-mo) and grasped the cream-ribboned stems with ease.
How I love traditions.



And here - because England is currently the grip of what is known as a "cold snap" (which always sounds like a drink from Russia) - I will illustrate the glorious frostiness of the eight mile walk I took this morning. Heavenly. And providing just the right kind of inspiration for the new book, which I'm starting this week.

Love is....

They met under a clock at Waterloo and a week later he told her that "love had arrived on the 12.37 from Weybridge."
Fast-forward several weeks and they decided that they had to get married.
Which was why their wedding cake (made by me) looked like this....




Here is the bridal party at Weybridge Register Office. (The music was great).




And the eclectic assortment of bridesmaids (I'm in there, somewhere) - all wearing black!


Heather and Terry - I wish you every happiness for the future.

And readers, what is your opinion on whirlwind romance?