Sheffield Park, Sussex

The house at Sheffield Park is not open to the public but it does look splendid in the bright spring sunshine.

Views from around one of the lakes are spectacular at any time of the year.

In the autumn these trees are rich reds and browns.

  The colours reflected in the water during autumn are breathtaking 

We usually visit during the latter part of the year but thought for a change it would be nice to see the trees and plants at springtime.

Two of the residents.

Bluebells add a splash of spring colour.

One of the forest paths leading to an area where during the Second World War soldiers were stationed in billets whilst training before going to France.  The foundations of these buildings were removed a couple of years ago and now young trees have been planted in their place.

These bushes were beautiful, I have no idea what the plants are called but the bees loved the tiny pink flowers.
Check out Sheffield Park on the internet to see it in its autumn glory or better still visit if you can.

Big Boys Toys

I used to have this, a Suzuki Bandit 600s.  I had this bike from new and kept it for ten years.  It only ever came out in the sunshine as I had another bike for everyday riding.

When I sold my bikes a couple of years ago I bought this Mazda MX5.  It is fourteen years old but has very low mileage and is in excellent condition.

The MX5 at Sheffield Park Sussex, Easter 2014

As the sun was shining we had the top down.  This was the MX's first outing this year after wintering in the garage.  The interior is tan leather with wooden sports steering wheel, matching gear lever knob and handbrake.  (I'm beginning to sound like an 'anorak')!  The car is great fun to drive and has loads of go.  It's a 1.8 Mark 2, on a 2000 numberplate, and yes I am a member of the MX5 owners club, with the hat, key ring and tax disc holder!  

A novel update

At last my manuscript is ready to go to the proof readers.  I aim to deliver them copies this weekend and together we have a month in which to find and iron out any horrors.  (Hopefully not too many)!  My publisher wants it by the first week in June.
The cover is done and looks fantastic.  I have to come up with a quote from the book that will appear on the front, so will be searching through the pages this weekend for a suitably gripping sentence.
The countdown to the 'official reveal' has begun.  In four weeks time I will post the cover and synopsis.  The book launch will be at the end of July, but the book will probably be available on Amazon etc from mid July.
Watch this space for further updates.
Happy reading everyone.

Still editing

Still editing, now half way through the second read and things are flowing nicely.  Proof reading has begun with one or two comments in already.  It's amazing that no matter how many times you carefully read through something there are always errors that get away.  Words repeated, the odd typo, that comma missed, it is so annoying.  Anyway, I'm pleased with the positive criticism so far.  The manuscript will be read three times by different proofreaders.   Sometimes I don't agree with their comments and indeed often they don't agree with themselves.  Everyone is different and entitled to their opinions, so once they have done their reading it is up to me if I make any changes.   Hopefully with this story there's won't be too many.
Next week I am off work so will be able to spend a little more time editing then Easter weekend we are off to see friends in Lancashire.
Happy Easter everyone and happy reading.

First edit complete. (Phew)!

Last night I completed the first edit of my second novel in the 'Torc Trilogy' and now all I have to do is read it through again to see how it flows. My publisher is working on the cover design so when that's done I can start my advertising campaign. In the meantime I have to get my manuscript proof read and ready for the publisher to work on. Having missed my Easter deadline, I'm hoping to have everything done by mid June, then, I can start arranging my book launch, which will probably take place at the end of July. So much to do and so little time in which to do it!