First Book Signing

My first book signing is a local affair at


The Rose and Crown
Pucklechurch
BS16 9PS

on

Sunday 10th March 2019
4.30-5.30

When my first book "My Friend Ruby" was published I held a book launch for friends and family.

I did wonder if the publishers of my current book "Wonderful Walks..." would organize a book launch.  Apparently this is not the custom.  They prefer authors to hold "book signings".

I have approached various other organizations about using their premises for book signings.  Discussions are ongoing.
Watch this space.



If you are in the area on Sunday 10th March around 4.30 do drop in to the Rose and Crown.

I would love to see you.

Available will have all 3 of the books  that have been an important part of my transition from teacher to writer.
I look forward t seeing you all at my first book signing.

Another thrill is the article about my books and the forthcoming book signing in the local rag   "emersonsgreenvoice".

The article can be found at  https://www.emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk/local-authors-latest-book

A Quandary

The weather has been exceptional this past week or so.


Ideal for taking bright photos of the countryside and for walking.



Exactly the conditions I hope for when doing research for a book. This lovely weather was too good to pass up so I decided I would take the motorhome out for a jaunt.

There were, however, a couple of problems;-

1. My motorhome was at the garage having a big service ready for trips.  I was not sure what state it was in.  Would I be able to take it out on the road.

2. The van was totally empty of everything in preparation for me giving it a big spring clean. Just putting things back was going to be a time consuming task.

3. Because of time constraints the campsite had to be within a reasonable distance.

Despite all this I decided the weather was too good to pass up.  So I checked out the feasible campsites. 
Catastrophe. 
They did not open until 1st March.  Those which were open were too far away. 
So decision made for me.
I have spent this glorious weather cleaning the motorhome (inside.  I am still hoping to find someone to clean the outside) and doing the gardening. 

At least I will be ready for the next spell of good weather if or when it comes.

Photo of the Month (Feb 2019)

This is my first "Photo of the Month".


This February has been exceptionally warm and sunny.
The spring flowers are blooming so I thought this picture of snowdrops appropriate.

                                  My website www.annachelmicka.me has more of my photos


Taking photos is so easy now with smart phones incorporating increasingly sophisticated cameras .  I, however, use a DSLR, especially for the photographs to accompany my articles and books.

Having used one for a considerable time  I am not nearly so proficient with the camera in my phone.

Over the years I have taken some photos which I really like.  I decided it would be delightful to share some of them,

Hope you enjoy my photos and do comments if you wish.

CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England) 2

This week did not start off so well. ( I don't like starting in such a negative manner as there is enough doom and gloom about.  Sometimes it is unavoidable).

1. I received the CPRE's "2018 Review".  Though much has been achieved during the year we cannot afford to be complacent.  This I know first hand from the people I have met whilst researching form my book as well as from the issues raised at our local CPRE meetings.
2. A news item in our local freebie paper which suggests the M4 junction 18a is a serious development consideration.  Despite assurances from a whole range of organizations if this is so it WILL slice through a swathe of green belt and our village.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  As an individual one is able to do very little.  One way is to join the CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England).                                                                                                                    PLEASE PLEASE join the CPRE.  It is only £3.00 a month; the price of a cup of coffee or glass of beer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I find the meetings of our local committee rather depressing because  there are so many plans for various developments and buildings on the Green Belt.  The people who read the detail plans and then make them comprehensible to the likes of me are amazing. (They are all volunteers).  However money is needed for legal fees in order to challenge these plans,.  Having a larger membership means there will then be more funds for legal fees.

Help protect our countryside.

Please join the CPRE.  It is only £3.00 a month; the price of a cup of coffee or glass of beer.                                                                             

Brexit

Well here I am discussing the implications of Brexit despite my efforts to wait patiently and see how it pans out. 
All the hullabaloo reminds me of a similar commotion in 1999 about the Millennium Bug

when it was predicted it would crash all computers.
Do you remember that?

How come I was participating in a conversation about Brexit?

I had to take Pearl to the vet for her annual vaccinations.  This time it included one for rabies in order to keep her Pet Passport valid.

This was when "Brexit" was mentioned as the outcome affects the Pet Passports

So;-

1. If a deal is agreed then the Pet Passports will continue to be recognized by the various European Countries.
2. If there is "no deal" the passports can be consigned to the bin.  Then taking a dog abroad becomes far more complicated.  It involves a blood test to ascertain the level of anti-bodies and various forms to be filled in by owners and vets.  All of this will take time.

In addition it will cost a great deal more.

A few years ago the requirements for obtaining a pet passport changed.  It was no longer necessary for a blood test after the rabies vaccination.  As a consequence the number of blood tests fell dramatically and so the cost rose.

So all we can do now is wait and see what happens.

Fortunately at the moment I do not have any plans to take my motorhome to mainland Europe.



A postscript:- I was going to mention the snow we had over the weekend and illustrate it with some
photographs.  Here are the photographs anyway. I hope you enjoy them

Read of the Month (Feb 2019)

This month's suggested book for "Read the Month" has no connection to any pertinent occasions or events.  It is merely a book I found intriguing due primarily to where I stumbled upon it.

One occasion, whilst waiting for my daughter, I was browsing in the library at Bath Spa University. I was extremely startled to find this book as it seemed more of a self-help book, which were very popular at the time, than a serious academic tome. My curiosity aroused I decided to ask my daughter if she would borrow the book from the library for me.

Despite my reservations about it;-

• First - I found the title disconcerting
• Second -  It sounded a self-help book
• Third  - The author was American (I am very skeptical about books written by Americans. Given a choice I will choose ones written by Brits).

Nevertheless I read "Authentic Happiness" by Martin Seligman

Yes there is a self-help section towards the end of the book but it is definitely NOT the usual type of psychobabble book.  It is a scientific work.

As  a  psychologist the author Martin Seligman was interested in the factors which caused people to respond differently to similar situations. This was exemplified by a friend of his who was a descendant of a 1917 Russian revolution emigre family. Of those affluent families who found themselves exiled in Austria after the revolution, how was it some adapted to their changed circumstances and forged successful lives whereas others did not.

Another interest was the seemingly surge of depression in the Western world.  Rather than just treat the symptoms he thought finding the causes and establishing a preventative strategy was the way forward.  His book recounts not only his scientific studies of depression but also his efforts to raise funds for the work and ongoing research.

I am generally skeptical of books like this.  However I have no hesitation in recommending this for my  Read of the Month especially if you are scientifically inclined.