I've been in York a lot over the last few days. Amazing as it is, it's not a great place for fireworks - and now will the UK readers bear with me while I explain to the US readers about Bonfire Night.
Four hundred years ago, on 5 November, a group of devout but very extreme catholics plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament with the king and all the MPs in it. They were discovered just as the explosives expert, Guy Fawkes, was lighting the fuse. It all came to a very unpleasant end for the plotters, and ever since there have been bonfires and fireworks all over the UK on 5 November. In some places they still burn an effigy of poor old Guy Fawkes, a brave man, if a deluded one.
Personally, I suspect that there have always been bonfires in November to clear up all the autumn debris, long before Guy Fawkes. It can be great fun - bonfires, fireworks, hot soup, jacket potatoes, and parkin (if you live in Yorkshire - it's a sticky gingerbread). The downside is the flashes and bangs which can terrify cats and dogs even if you do keep them indoors, and there are always people around who shouldn't be allowed near anything more explosive than a party popper. (If you do have an autumn bonfire, always check in case there's a hedgehog hiding in there before you light it.)
And it's all wrong to burn anyone in effigy, even someone who's been dead for 400 years. Now, Guy Fawkes was born and brought up in York. He was baptised at St Michael-le-Belfry and educated at St Peter's School. So York is a bit fastidious about Bonfire Night, and St Peter's School don't, as far as I know observe it at all.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Friday, 6 November 2009
Yippee!
Happy Christmas, Hammy the Wonder Hamster is in the shops now! It may be too early to read it, but not too early to dash out and buy it! If you can't get to the shops or if you're in Yorkshire and it's wet, cold, and 'orrible out there, order it on the Puffin site and make Hamilton a star. Your hamster wants you to read this book!
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
messy pup
I began today by spilling my mug of tea over the desk. Fortunately Cottontail Computer escaped and nothing important was damaged, but I have some wet notes, and a lot of never to be used stamps are in the bin. (NB wheelie bin and recycling to go out tonight.) If I had to make a mess, I'm glad I did it first thing and got it out of the way.
Gleaner would scold me for being such a messy little pup, Fingal would roll over laughing, and Docken would tell the story of the queen's bathwater from the Heir of Mistmantle.
And Hamilton Hamster? He would design a much heavier mug so that not even I could tip it over a good story. At least, I hope it's good.
Gleaner would scold me for being such a messy little pup, Fingal would roll over laughing, and Docken would tell the story of the queen's bathwater from the Heir of Mistmantle.
And Hamilton Hamster? He would design a much heavier mug so that not even I could tip it over a good story. At least, I hope it's good.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
saints and hamsters
HAPPY ALL SAINTS DAY!
And love to all the very special people at St Deiniol's library in Wales, and if he isn't patron saint of mis-spelling, wy nott? I was there all too briefly last week, writing furiously, and I hope to be able to share the results with you one day.
Now, excuse me, Mistmantle animals, but this is The Month of the Hamster! The second book about Hammy the Wonder Hamster (whose real name, of course, is Hamilton) is due on Thursday! Yes! (Oh, and it's by Poppy Harris, but that's me.) I know it's early for Christmas, but you need time to get the word out that this is the must have book for keeping children and adults out of trouble during the holidays. I need to update the website, but in the meantime, you can take a look at Happy Christmas, Hammy the Wonder Hamster on the Puffin site. A school concert. A Christmas wish. A hamster with a microchip and big ideas. A very happy author who had great fun writing it.
To those of you looking forward to a post from Mistmantle, Fingal wants to know what a hamster is, and is it a kind of boat. Oakleaf said hamster sounds like sister and he's already got two of those and doesn't want any more, thanks.
And love to all the very special people at St Deiniol's library in Wales, and if he isn't patron saint of mis-spelling, wy nott? I was there all too briefly last week, writing furiously, and I hope to be able to share the results with you one day.
Now, excuse me, Mistmantle animals, but this is The Month of the Hamster! The second book about Hammy the Wonder Hamster (whose real name, of course, is Hamilton) is due on Thursday! Yes! (Oh, and it's by Poppy Harris, but that's me.) I know it's early for Christmas, but you need time to get the word out that this is the must have book for keeping children and adults out of trouble during the holidays. I need to update the website, but in the meantime, you can take a look at Happy Christmas, Hammy the Wonder Hamster on the Puffin site. A school concert. A Christmas wish. A hamster with a microchip and big ideas. A very happy author who had great fun writing it.
To those of you looking forward to a post from Mistmantle, Fingal wants to know what a hamster is, and is it a kind of boat. Oakleaf said hamster sounds like sister and he's already got two of those and doesn't want any more, thanks.
Saturday, 24 October 2009
fun
What do you do to keep a nonagenarian happy? Give him a remote control helicopter. That's what lovely elder son bought for his grandfather, and didn't that make his day!
Granny is not pleased.
Dad comes from the make your own entertainment days, which in his case meant a train set which grew like Topsy until it took up the entire attic. When I was small, a favourite thing when the grass had just been cut was making homes for fairies out of grass cuttings. I was never too particular, I didn't mind what moved in - spuggies, snails, ladybirds, urban pixies - so long as it was alive. The immediate result, however, would be grass stains on a cotton dress.
Mummy was not pleased.
This got me thinking about Mistmantle games. We know that they play First Fives and Find the Heir of Mistmantle, but I expect they build play houses in the forests and make swords out of sticks so they can run through Anemone Wood pretending to be Crispin. Any other thoughts out there?
Granny is not pleased.
Dad comes from the make your own entertainment days, which in his case meant a train set which grew like Topsy until it took up the entire attic. When I was small, a favourite thing when the grass had just been cut was making homes for fairies out of grass cuttings. I was never too particular, I didn't mind what moved in - spuggies, snails, ladybirds, urban pixies - so long as it was alive. The immediate result, however, would be grass stains on a cotton dress.
Mummy was not pleased.
This got me thinking about Mistmantle games. We know that they play First Fives and Find the Heir of Mistmantle, but I expect they build play houses in the forests and make swords out of sticks so they can run through Anemone Wood pretending to be Crispin. Any other thoughts out there?
Sunday, 18 October 2009
squirrel moments
During our holiday last week - when Padra so kindly covered this page for me - we had a few wonderful days in red squirrel country, not far from Aviemore in the Highlands. Quite apart from unexpected autumn sunshine, we saw squirrels everywhere. They were very busy, running about digging holes and collecting nuts. Every time I see them I'm stunned all over again by just how beautiful they are, so small and elegant and athletic.
Not far from the Rothiemurchas estate is Drake's Alpine Nursery, but the plant nursery is only the beginning of it. They also have a coffee room which serves tea, coffee and cakes. Not biscuits, not scones. Just cakes, as in, to die for. And while you enjoy your coffee and cake, you can sit at a wee gallery just at treetop level and watch the squirrels and any number of species of wild birds, all giving the bird feeders a good reason to be there. It's one of the most amazing hidden gems I've ever come across and is popular with the locals, which is always a good sign.
Local. Oh, if only.
PS Mistmantle readers may like to know that Sepia was there. She didn't sing - you can't, while you're eating - but she has the most beautiful table manners.
Not far from the Rothiemurchas estate is Drake's Alpine Nursery, but the plant nursery is only the beginning of it. They also have a coffee room which serves tea, coffee and cakes. Not biscuits, not scones. Just cakes, as in, to die for. And while you enjoy your coffee and cake, you can sit at a wee gallery just at treetop level and watch the squirrels and any number of species of wild birds, all giving the bird feeders a good reason to be there. It's one of the most amazing hidden gems I've ever come across and is popular with the locals, which is always a good sign.
Local. Oh, if only.
PS Mistmantle readers may like to know that Sepia was there. She didn't sing - you can't, while you're eating - but she has the most beautiful table manners.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
padra
Good evening! I understand my brother Fingal has been talking to you, so no doubt he's left you totally confused. Sorry about that. The woman - Queen of Switzensomething-something - who writes our stories has been on holiday for a week and has just come back, and is now pinging about like a squirrel on a spring trying to catch up with work.
I understand that she's trying to make her life less complicated. Uncluttering is the word. I fear a long and fierce struggle is ahead,and she may not be altogether successful. Anyone who goes on holiday and comes back with two china plates, various greeting cards and notelets, a selection of very silly fluffy bobbles for making things with and an assortment of cones, leaves, twiggy bits and lichen can't persuade me that she's seriously uncluttering. I suspect she's making room for a different sort of clutter. Heart love her. And you, too.
Regards
Captain Padra
I understand that she's trying to make her life less complicated. Uncluttering is the word. I fear a long and fierce struggle is ahead,and she may not be altogether successful. Anyone who goes on holiday and comes back with two china plates, various greeting cards and notelets, a selection of very silly fluffy bobbles for making things with and an assortment of cones, leaves, twiggy bits and lichen can't persuade me that she's seriously uncluttering. I suspect she's making room for a different sort of clutter. Heart love her. And you, too.
Regards
Captain Padra
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
