A gentle trot through October

I did try to blog while on holiday in Cavus, Turkey, but for some reason the Turkish server wouldn't let me! I managed everything else; I wrote, Tweeted, Facebooked and emailed, and listened to music and comedy on the ipod and the laptop. Fab. Three weeks is, however, too long. I've spent three weeks there before, but when I was still fairly new to the place (ie, only been there three or four times). Now, however, three weeks away from home, the cats and the children is too long. My friend Marie suggested I shouldn't have kept up with home so much, but she can talk! She, grandmother of the year, who has to phone home to find out how grandson 1 has done at football, not to mention phoning to wish him luck before every match...

Cats were spoilt by their Auntie Alison, who lived in for the whole time. Despite the fact that they now think they can have at least two breakfasts and can sleep on my bed with me (shades of Alan Davis's cats who went to live with his sister), I am so grateful to Alison, who (the mug) has said she'll do it anytime.

I am on the home straight with Murder in Bloom, and it has been even more of a struggle. I suppose each one will get harder and harder. Four of the books are now in audio, and I'm still hoping Magna or Thorpe will pick them up for large print. I have a beautiful new map of Steeple Martin drawn by my friend Susan Alison which is on my website and will appear in each new book.

Jack and the Beanstalk will be the pantomime at the Whitstable Playhouse in January 2010, and I'm extremely pleased to say I shall be playing the Queen. It's years since I was actually IN a panto, having been conned - I mean, asked - to direct more recently. Luckily directed ones wot I had writ, so got the royalties, but it's not the same as being in one.

Daughter Phillipa is having the time of her life at the Royal Academy of Music, and I would like to add my own thanks to all those who helped her get there.

That's about it for now. Do let me know if you've read this by commenting.