Sunshine and Snow

Actually, this blog doesn’t sound very exciting but in fact it is as it’s speaking of exciting things to come. I have to confess that I have left all you Yorkies behind and sped off to Spain. Fortunately for me, in between the chaos caused by the snow at Leeds-Bradford airport, there was a window of opportunity and I was able to fly without a huge delay. Seems I was one of the lucky ones, as the day before the early morning flights didn’t get airborne until late afternoon and, an eight hour delay is horrendously testing!

Sadly, due to circumstances beyond my control I was not able to do the planned visit to Bristol but things in life usually happen for a reason. I found that I was involved in other projects which were essential prior to my leaving for Spain. Sorry kids, apologies.

So, as you would expect the weather is lovely here and I am looking forward to catching up with friends old and new, whilst attending some business meetings. Of course one of the main reasons for the visit is a much needed chill out (does that mean I should have stayed in the UK? No thanks!) There comes a time when we all reach that point of fatigue where we know that if we don’t take a break, WE will break. Understanding what our body is saying to us is so important and thankfully I am finally starting to listen to mine. I have also affirmed that I will not be back until I have finished my third book, plus the dialogue and overall planning for the stage production that I am happily working on. Uhm! Now there lies a challenge. Does that mean that if I suffer from writer’s block I could be gone for a long time? Ha ha ha! We will see. But judging by yesterday’s performance I am doing just good. Is that bad grammar? Who cares… I can say what I like in my blog! And I’m doing just good. I was writing at 2am actually….on a flow…..you can’t plan inspiration…

So yesterday I was working on the music and although I’m not a musician I know exactly what I need. Obviously! Fortunately I’m in discussion with several great musical minds who can produce. Watch this space, all will be revealed in time.

It looks like I will be able to add script writer/producer to my CV soon. Now I never imagined that!  

Determined to have some fun whilst here, relax and refresh, I’m coming back with two completed manuscripts. Just you believe it, and with a pending trip to London on the 15^th April to the International Book Fair at Earl’s Court – as it’s also my birthday week – I intend to see Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre. I have a great contact and friend who has promised to take me. Better make sure he did get the tickets. Men? Oops being sexist!

So on that point I will say, treat yourself to some time out when you know you need it. Come back refreshed with new vigour and follow that dream.  Meanwhile enjoy Easter and remember the real meaning please. It is not all about chocolate although that’s very nice.

Regards

Anna

Grassington

12 March 2013 01:30PM

 

So a fab morning was spent on World Book Day at Grassington Primary School with year 4, 5 and 6. They were all interested and enthusiastic about my visit, especially the younger ones in year 4 who were most receptive and full of questions. After 3 days, it was then time to head back to West Yorkshire and leave this very picturesque part of the Yorkshire Dales behind. I had been fortunate enough to find a fabulous place to stay for a third of its normal price. Whilst I was there the evenings were so tranquil, with only a handful of ardent walkers and Dales enthusiasts, so I was able to sit peacefully and undisturbed by a log fire in the evenings, sipping red wine and writing. How awesome was that?

Continuing with the Yorkshire Dales theme I attended the Leeds Lord Mayor’s Ball at the Civic Hall on Saturday evening and who should I be chatting to but some of the cast from the popular Yorkshire TV soap – “Emmerdale” (formerly Emmerdale Farm).

Nowadays the TV show is mainly filmed on a purpose built set just outside the Dales though when it was called Emmerdale Farm it was filmed at Arncliffe in Littondale. I have to admit that I never watch the soap these days, so I wouldn’t have recognised the characters that I was introduced to. Nevertheless, I found them to be lovely people but when I told someone back home about my encounter I was greeted with. ‘Ergh he’s a horrible person that Cain Dingle.’

No, isn’t that the part he is playing? Obviously a good actor. Ha ha!

I think Esholt, in Bronte Country was originally used as the village of Beckindale. And, now that I think about it, I do remember on numerous occasions when I lived in Otley, the film set taking over the market square. So those were the days. Shame I don’t have the advantage of living somewhere quite so picturesque now. It was rather delightful waking up every morning to see the sheep grazing in the fields in contrast to the traffic hurtling down the motorway.  Still that was a season and life moves on.

So as I say goodbye to the Yorkshire Dales for now, I am thinking I might just go back for the Grassington festival 14th – 29th June. It sounds fun with a great line up of artists including, Jools Holland. Whoop whoop!.

Even more so I need to be there in 2014 when the Tour de France passes through. How awesome will that be?

Chat soon.

Anna

Chavosing in Wharfdale

08 March 2013 10:00AM

Well! That’s the second school visited this week that didn’t look anything like a school. What an awesome building!

It was actually built in 1601 and adjacent to the quaint and historic church of St Wilfrids. The school has always been a school, and though extended in parts still has the original charm and character. I was fascinated with the tiny door which leads into what is now the school library, but apparently was once the home of the headmaster in the days of the borders. Click on the school website and you can see some photos, though I did take a few of my own and will put them in my picture blog later. With only about 36 children on the school register this has to be a school I will never forget. http://www.burnsall.ik.org/

I actually felt very privileged to leave my first two novels in this ancient and so very tiny library next to those of JK Rowling, Michael Morpurgo, Jaqueline Wilson and other great authors. The teacher said she would put my photo on the library wall with the best of them. The caption reading – ‘Look out for more books by these authors.’ Now there’s a challenge to keep writing, is it not?

The children had a non-uniform day in celebration of World Book Day this week and although not dressed as book characters they had chosen the theme of countries. They all looked great and I have to say the teachers excelled in their choice of outfits too. I was made very welcome but had to decline a school dinner and leave as they all settled down to eat. I wanted to explore this amazing little village whilst I had free time but I did think if I had known in advance they were going to go non-uniform, maybe I would have gone Mexican style. Sombrero and all. Now there’s a thought!

The next school visit, Grassington Primary and then homeward bound.

Anna

Masham to Burnsall

06 March 2013 08:00AM

 

 

With an early start Tuesday morning, I left home at 6.30am heading for the Yorkshire Dales and my first school visit at Masham Primary School. Of course it was an absolute contrast to last week when I visited London, but equally as enjoyable. Why do I love Chavosing so much? I suppose the truth is I enjoy working with kids and the challenges that it brings. Street kids, city kids, village kids. Kids are kids if you know what I mean and, whilst I know the correct terminology is \’young people\’, since I started writing they have all become kids!

So, I think year 5 and 6 enjoyed my visit and having done their research before I arrived, they were all eager to present me with interesting questions.  A talk from me about the inspiration behind the Chavos books and several readings from the kids themselves, I am now looking forward to those who said they would do a book review for me and, I’m waiting to see if they decide to do a ‘Mexico’ project, as the curriculum allows. It sounds as though they are keen to do some fundraising for our charity too, so waiting to hear about their ideas.

That said, I do intend to return to Masham in the summer and maybe then I will make time to visit the famous Black Sheep Brewery. I’m told the Bistro is worth a visit and although I’m not an ale drinker myself, I’m sure if I purchase a few of those award winning ales they will be appreciated by someone back home!

By the way kids, those of you who are reading this blog don’t forget one of you promised  to email me those school rules that I so liked. Especially the one that said, ‘go home every day with a smile on your face.’ Uhm!

So address in the SatNav, I set off for Burnsall, the destination for the next school. Was it the best idea to take the shortest route? I think so on this occasion but I was glad that the fog had lifted, otherwise I would have been very unhappy. That’s putting it mildly! The route became more and more remote and for several miles I didn’t see another vehicle. It seemed everyone else had taken the other route. Did they know something I didn’t? What ho! I am so glad that I didn’t have car trouble otherwise I would have been in sheer panic. Mobile phone, don’t even think about it – no signal up there. There were lots of sheep that’s for sure.

Before I arrived in Burnsall, I passed one of the Wensleydale Creameries. I have a slight recollection of going there when I was a school girl myself. Later, as I fancied something sweet I called at a little tea shop and sampled some fine home-made apple pie and a pot of great Yorkshire tea.

Have you ever heard the saying? ‘Eating apple pie without cheese, is like a kiss without a squeeze?’

How funny. And no I didn’t get a kiss or a squeeze!

Well Burnsall is a picturesque and absolutely delightful riverside village in Lower Wharfedale, downstream of Grassington. I took lots of photos yesterday so I will do a picture blog in a few days. Meanwhile I’m going to see the kids at Burnsall Primary School this morning.

Chat soon and have a nice day.

Anna

Hampstead school visit

01 March 2013 12:00AM

 

 

This is just a quick note to say thanks to year 6 kids at Hampstead Parochial C E School. It was a privilege to meet you all and if I have the opportunity I would certainly love to visit the school again. I don’t say that about every school, in fact I intend to do a blog at the end of this current school tour and I know it will be controversial. Over the past few years I have visited more than 200 schools and some teachers don’t seem to grasp that I give up my time freely, and in most cases the school visits leave me financially and considerably out of pocket. Am I crazy or what? No, just doing what I believe in and with any profits from book sales going to the charitable work that I have established, and the awareness of the ‘street kid phenomenon’ growing, I will carry on for a little while longer at least.

Your teacher was fab and has well developed the project, ‘Once Upon A Time in Mexico.’ It is evident that you have all learnt lots, whilst having fun. Just how education should be!

Of course I want to say a huge thank you that you have decided to continue Chavosing and do some fund raising for our charity. I look forward to having more information about that, as you further your plans.

Meanwhile, I can’t wait to see some of the photos taken both at Lupita East and in the classroom and, waiting with baited breath for your feedback when you have read Chavos.

Don’t forget to send me the work you did on characters in your creative writing session and, to the 11 year old who I will not name in my blog but, you know who you are, I sure like your ideas. I think we should develop them for a character in one of the forthcoming Chavos books. Whoop! Whoop!

So well done to you all and enjoy the rest of your Mexican project. Perhaps next time you are going to eat out with family or friends try some more tacos, but always eat at a reputable restaurant.

LupitaUK for me!

Back to Yorkshire now, and hopefully some Yorkshire puds this weekend.

Chat soon.

Anna.