Christmas Eve on a Haunted Hulk

I spent this afternoon reading Frank Cowper's 'Christmas Even on a Haunted Hulk'. This was definitely the best story out of my first batch of Christmas ghost stories to read, followed closely by M.R. James'classic 'The Signalman'. Out of the three books, only one disappointed, that being Algernon Blackwood's 'The Empty House'.

A Perfect Winter's Afternoon Read

Feet Up, Reading 'Christmas Eve on a Haunted Hulk'

I now just have four more books in the Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories range to read. I wonder which one will temp me into opening its pages first...

These are great little books,which can be read in about half an hour each. The are feature some pretty cool graphic art by the cartoonist Seth. I will definitely be purchasing more of the titles in that range to read for Christmas 2020!

Christmas Ghost Stories...

My main writing project for 2020 will be a Christmas Story titled 'Solstice'. To get in the mood for writing that, as well as the festive season itself, I am going to start December off  by reading these little fellas :) I think I know which book I'll read first...

The Creeper

'Tis the season of Winter - the time of ghosts and things that go bump in the night. I honestly could not think of anything better to arrive in the post to herald the darkest month of the year than this new figure - the latest addition to my horror Pop Funko collection - The Creeper from the scary Jeepers Creepers movie:

The Creeper from Jeepers Creepers

Typing Up Edits

Typing up the edits of Chapter 3 of Berserk! with this one:

The Saboteur

Thwarted

I had been planning to make a start on typing up the final draft of Berserk tonight. But this attention seeker put a stop to that:

Berserk! Final Draft Complete :)

The third and final draft of my next novel is now complete. 😊 I just have to type the whole thing up again now, typeset it and get the book cover formatted. The New Year deadline for getting this beast published is looking promising 👌

Billy Connolly - Tall Tales and wee stories

A nice new signed copy of Billy Conolly's latest book to add to my bookshelves :) I am looking forward to raising a smile with this particular book, one of only a few light-hearted reads in my personal library  :)

Berserk! Final Draft. Chapter 12.

Penarth Pier

I took a stroll along Penarth Beach today. 

Penarth Pavilion

Whilst Penarth has a stunning beach, I did not linger there long as the icy fingers of the approaching winter had a bit of a punch to them this afternoon :( I did, however, muster up the fortitude to take a trio of snaps of the place, including a long-distance selfie!

Beneath Penarth Pier, with the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm in view

Yours truly 'neath Penarth Pier

Fluttering Polythene #1

God only knows why, but I seem to have developed a thing for raggedy bits of polythene fluttering from barbed wire fences lately. I see them virtually everywhere these days and they always catch my eye. They are usually black or clear in colour, but sometimes, like in this instance, which I photographed less than a hundred metres from my house, they are found in more attractive shades.  Perhaps there is a future photography project waiting for me to take the initiative. If so, then it has already begun:

Black Rock Sands, North Wales

Given the unexpected sunshine, I couldn't resist spending the morning on Black Rock Sands before heading home from North Wales. 

The immense and quiet Black Rock Sands 

Despite the lateness of the year, I had expected the beach to be quite busy, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that we pretty much had the wide expanse of sand to ourselves :)

Me and my wife, Black Rock Sands

Stretching our legs a little and taking in the fresh and salty air, we finally returned to our car refreshed and ready for our long drive home...

Farmyard Pwscat

I made a little friend whilst holidaying in North Wales - a lovely farmyard pwscat:

I absolutely love cats and am over the moon that the feeling seems reciprocated whenever I meet one :)

Berserk! Final Draft. Chapter 10 Completed.

Ever vigilant of the impending deadline for the completion of Berkerk!, I awoke early whilst on holiday in North Wales to crack on with the final draft of Chapter 10:

Pre-dawn writing

As dawn broke over our holiday cottage, the rising sun startled me as it blazed directly through the kitchen window!

I think this must have been the first time in my life
that sunrise has actually made me jump

After a couple of hours of writing, I completed the chapter just as my wife awoke and came downstairs, in time for her promised breakfast :)

Berserk! Final Draft. Chapter 10.