Ever since I returned from the first of my solo trips to the USA in 2007, a friend has been nagging me to write a book about my travels. Many trips later, I am finally doing something about it.

I puzzled for a long time about how to tackle this task. I have settled on the idea of writing a series of short stories about the many adventures I’ve had, and some of the people I’ve met, during my trips. Eventually I plan to compile them into a book, or a series of books.

come and share with me my journeys as I write these stories. Any comments or questions you have as you read these stories are welcome. They may well trigger memories of more incidents that I could write about, so please feel free to comment.

More about me

I haven’t always been a writer, unless you count sending occasional contributions to various newsletters, with some being printed.

In the 60s I trained as a physiotherapist. I worked for a time in a local clinic and hospital. However, I spent most of my married life caring for my disabled husband, who died in 2004. I have three sons and two grandchildren, plus a foster granddaughter, whom I try to see as often as I can.

After my husband’s disability forced his early retirement, he and I became founding members and directors of a local disability charity. This charity specialised in raising awareness and providing training to those responsible for local planning. We were aiming to ensure that access to public buildings and open spaces was easy for people with any disability.

My writing career

My writing career only started seriously after I was widowed. In December 2010 I started entering poetry competitions. Although I’ve yet to win any prizes, I’ve have had seven poems published in various anthologies. Also I’ve had several articles published in various magazines, including Dogs’ Monthly, This England and the UK Guardian, plus other magazines. My first published piece was in the Guardian Weekend Family Supplement in December 2011.

I started, and almost completed, a creative writing course in 2011. This taught me how to become a better writer, and opened up further writing opportunities. I put this course on hold in 2012 while I wrote the biography of my Florida friends, Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan. My book, ‘In Harmony’, was  finished late that year and is available to buy from Amazon.com, Amazon UK,  or from the publisher.

Other hobbies

My other hobbies are listening to country music and line dancing. Through these pastimes I have made many friends and have met people from all over the UK, and from overseas. I love to travel and, since 2007, I have been on solo trips to the USA at least once a year. My latest trip was in 2016. I try to visit my many friends in the USA as often as possible. Also I occasionally visit my sister and my cousin, who live over there. In addition I go to many country music festivals around the UK. For them, I travel in my red VW camper van. More recently, I have added short-mat bowling and art to my hobbies.