The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves

 

Dear friends.  DCI Vera Stanhope is back, and searching for a troubled teenager who may have murdered a fellow resident in her care home. 

As always from Ann Cleeves, it's a complex, well constructed and eerie thriller. 

It's my turn on the blog tour for The Dark Wives. 

The UK in Pictures: August in Review

 

Dear friends.  Today's wrap-up of August is a different post than usual. Instead of writing about what I did on each day, I'm sharing a picture. 

We cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats, the length of mainland Britain, in August  (covered in this post), and I had lots of scenic photos I didn't have room to share.

Thanks to fellow riders Steve Waplington, David George and David Hamilton for many of the photos. My own are marked * in the caption.

From Novice to LEJOG by eBike

 

Dear friends. I'm back from the most amazing adventure, cycling across the UK in 19 days.  

Today I'm going to cover my "journey" in terms of how someone who disliked cycling 17 months ago ended up on the iconic 1000 mile  (1,607 kilometres) Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) ride. Plus some of my learnings and tips for anyone contemplating this or another bike holiday. 

On Friday in my usual monthly review I'll cover the actual journey, day by day, with pictures.  

Lovely Linen

 #StyleNotAge Challenge

Dear friends. Linen. You either love it or hate it.  This month the Style Not Age collective, five bloggers over the age of 50, are styling Anna's prompt, Lovely Linen.

I must confess I'm not a lover of linen.  I can't remember when I last wore it. My style personality is gamine with a bit of classic, and the classic means I like things ironed.  Linen, to my mind, gets too creased. 

Tell Us About - HOLIDAYS

Dear friends. It's time for Tell Us About, when nine bloggers around the world interpret a prompt and give their very different perspectives.

This month it's HOLIDAYS, or Holidays and Vacations for US readers, the prompt from Mary Katherine. 

Invincible Not Invisible: Change Your Body and Mindset in 90 Days by Fiona Lambert

Dear friends. Sharing today a new book that's full of inspiration and wise advice from Fiona Lambert.

Fiona is a successful businesswoman and mother of two who has held senior roles at Next, Asda, Dunelm and River Island. Fiona worked alongside George’s founder George Davies to set up and launch George as the first fashion supermarket brand in 1990. 

Gold Brocade Dress

And Wow on Wednesday

Dear friends.  I've bought another original vintage dress! In cream and gold brocade it really caught my eye at Etsy.

I immediately earmarked it for a reunion event in October, although I'll need to wear it with a silky roll neck or jacket of some description, as it's sleeveless. 

Swimming to Lundy by Amanda Prowse

Dear friends. Today's book spotlight features the latest novel by much loved contemporary writer Amanda Prowse.

Swimming to Lundy was inspired by the tragic and sudden death in 2022 of Amanda's brother Simon, aged 52, after a family lunch.

She says the new book was written to help herself and others come to terms with loss.

It's my turn on the blog tour for Swimming to Lundy.