The Shed is Coming Along Nicely

I am slowly getting there with my writing shed. The inside door and window frames need a bit of a paint, the shelves need a clean and a de-clutter and the windows require a good wash, but I am pleased with the progress I am making with it, especially given the fact that I couldn't move in there for clutter just a few months ago. :)

Out in the Writing Shed :)

Berserk! Draft 2 Complete :)

Despite the pretty grim cold that descended upon me this morning, which had me suffering and sneezing all day, I took the opportunity afforded to me this afternoon to grab a couple of hours out in the sunshine, where I managed to complete the second draft of Berserk!

Completing the second draft of Berserk!

It is now time to get on with the third and final draft... :)

Berserk! Draft 2. Chapter 12. Complete. :)

Berserk! Chapter 10. Draft 2. Complete.

Berserk! Chapter 9. Draft 2. Complete.

Berserk! Late Research.

Berserk! Draft 2. Chapter 8.

Troubled by some irksome dream, I rose early this morning and nipped out into my writing shed with a steaming cup of coffee. Stepping inside the shed, I was confronted by these beautiful shadows above the chill-out settee I have in there.

Shadows on the wall above my chill-out settee

I have had a good few day's writing and am now two weeks ahead of schedule as I begin work on the second draft of Chapter 9 of Berserk! :)

Working on draft 2 of Chapter 9 of Berserk!

Berserk! Draft 2. Chapter 8. Complete :)

I spent this morning out in my writing shed, listening to a little Japan and enjoying the faint warmth of the autumn sun on my face as I completed the second draft of Chapter 8 of Berserk. I am still ahead in my writing schedule, 12 days ahead to be precise, and am confident I can get this beast of a novella completed by the end of the year. But the clock is definitely ticking...

The Verry Volk

Just received my copy of The Verry Volk. I am happy to report it is now available to purchase from Amazon 

Calocera viscosa ~ Portmeirion Woods

Whilst taking a walk through Portmeirion Woods, I spotted these interesting little fellas@

Calocera viscosa - Portmeirion

Despite being a supposedly common type of fungi, this was the first time I had ever encountered them. To me, the appeared like little woodland elf campfires and I was half-convinced that when I went to identify them I would find they had a name such as Faeryfire Fungus or the like. I have to admit to being a little disappointed when I discoved they were called Yellow Stagshorn fungi :( Beautiful little things tho, aren't they!

Yellow Stagshor Fungi - Portmeirion

Portmeirion

We helped our friend move his belongings to North Wales this past weekend as he is about to start work with the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway As we were lucky enough to enjoy some lovely early autumn sunshine whilst there, we took the opportunity to spend the afternoon visiting Portmeirion, which is located right on his new doorstep.

No Parking Sign near entrance to Portmeirion

To many, Portmeirion's celebrity comes from it serving as the location for the 1960s television show The Prisoner. This show soon became a cult favourite and brought the fear that the village might be spoiled by the inundation of tourists. To help avert this, the owner, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis introduced a levy in the form of an entrance free to Portmeirion.

Entering Portmeirion

One of the strange statues that adorn Portmeirion ~
what is that in the creature's paws?

The unique character and striking appearance of Portmeirion was designed by Williams to assauge his love for Italian architecture. He constructed the village between 1925 and 1975.

Portmeirion is now a charitable trust, making an income by renting self-catering cottages and rooms in the village, running numerous shops, various cafes and restaurants, as well as continuing to charge an entrance fee to the village for tourists.

Votive coins hammered into tree strump in Portmeirion Woods

A Redwood tree in Portmeirion woods

Portmeirion

The large-scale village chess board

The village of Portmeirion is a must-visit for anyone travelling through North Wales, be they Prisoner fans or not. A real curiosity of a place, walking around the unique sights and sounds can really get the creative juices flowing. Noel Coward wrote Blithe Spirit whilst staying in the village and I would have loved to have settled down in one of numerous seating areas there to take pen to paper myself.
Today we were hindered by having to undertake the long drive home in the afternoon as our visit was a rather hurried walk through of the locale. Maybe next time though...