My faithful companion, Džekis (Jekis). He is seventeen (and a half!) years old and still going strong. His new winter coat is just gleaming as he basks in the last of the autumn sun. Continue reading “Companion”
Tussle
Scat
Rejuvenate
Quarrel
Waldorf Green School, Vilnius
This week, I visited the Waldorf Green School in the village of Skirgiškės, about an hour north of Vilnius. The school is set about two kilometres from the village, deep within the forest, where it is surrounded by paddocks and lots and lots of trees. The classrooms, all built of wood and each with their own woodburning stove, are cosy and welcoming. Continue reading “Waldorf Green School, Vilnius”
Square it/things off
Precedence
Oblivious
Nuzzle
Marten
Latrine
Mark my words
Kit
Charity Book: A Bowl of Irish Stew
I am delighted to be involved in this wonderful charity project in aid of Pieta House (Ireland). Pieta House helps people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm and those in need of suicide bereavement counselling. Since first opening their doors in 2006, Pieta House has helped over 30,000 people and has subsequently established twelve more centres across Ireland. In 2015, they launched a pilot program in Queens, New York. In 2017, this became a permanent centre and changed its name to Solace House. Continue reading “Charity Book: A Bowl of Irish Stew”
Jabber
Imperceptible
Holed Up
Gully
On the one hand …
Focal Point
Encroach
Dyke
Carrion
Brook
Crash & Burn
Ado
Starting today, I am running a new Word of the Day series here on the blog. Most of the words will come from my book, Guardian of Giria, although I will occasionally include other words I find interesting or which I notice people sometimes misspell or don’t understand, such as today’s word, Ado. Many of the words will have more than one meaning, but for the sake of simplicity I will only include one definition, based on a particular use within the story. The words will be posted each morning, Monday to Friday. Continue reading “Ado”
Sparkling Webs
There is something soothing about September. After the build-up of spring and the crescendo of summer, things are slowly starting to wind down. The ouch is gone out of the sun but it is still warm enough to be outside, sometimes even in shorts and a t-shirt. The evenings are noticeably shorter but there is still enough light to walk the dog after dinner. By 9 pm it is fully dark, perfect for settling down with a good book or a movie without the guilty feeling that you should be doing something more “constructive”. Continue reading “Sparkling Webs”
High Tea in a High Hide!
This is how to do September – high tea in a high hide! Continue reading “High Tea in a High Hide!”
Cranes in the Mist
It appears our area is a congregation site for common cranes (grus grus) – thousands of them gather each autumn in the fields around our village, getting ready for the long flight south. They are a little skittish, so getting close can be tricky, but they are a magnificent sight to behold.
Continue reading “Cranes in the Mist”
Forest Frog
Strictly speaking, this is a common frog, but that seems like too plain a name for a creature so beautiful, and one who looks so at home on the forest floor, surrounded by moss, twigs and other detritus. So I’m calling him a forest frog!
Continue reading “Forest Frog”
Hedgehog Rescue
This morning, I spent the best part of an hour rescuing this hedgehog from certain death. Continue reading “Hedgehog Rescue”
Hoopoe (Kukutis)
It was very misty this morning and I didn’t have a great sleep last night, so when I saw this guy on the garden fence I was certain I was seeing things. Unfortunately, he flew off before I could grab my binoculars. But later, when I went out to the bin, I spotted him again and managed to grab my camera before he flew off. I think this is the most beautiful bird I have ever seen “in the flesh”! Continue reading “Hoopoe (Kukutis)”
Are Animal Books Waning in Popularity?
‘How could books about wizards, werewolves, hobbits and fairies be desirable, but books about real-life animals not be? Have the animal books that I loved so much in my youth died a death?’
My guest post for Mairead Hearne of the wonderful Swirl and Thread. Continue reading “Are Animal Books Waning in Popularity?”
Darter Invader
My field guide tells me that this is a Ruddy Darter, but I don’t believe it. I’ve seen this guy somewhere before. In a movie. I’m sure of it. Continue reading “Darter Invader”
Tauragė Vegetable Market
“I think you should drive,” Arūnas said.
“No, no – I’ll walk. It’s just around the corner,” I replied. The weather was sweltering and I had just stepped out of my non-air-conditioned, sauna of a car – I had no desire to get back in. Besides, the market really was just around the corner. I was still on the phone to Arūnas when I got there. It was a four-minute march, tops. Continue reading “Tauragė Vegetable Market”
FREE BOOKS for Schools & Libraries!
Today, I am delighted to announce my new “Free Books for Schools & Libraries” initiative.
Schools & libraries in Ireland and Lithuania can now apply for a free Paperback copy of Guardian of Giria. Teachers and librarians internationally can also apply for a free Kindle copy of the book. Continue reading “FREE BOOKS for Schools & Libraries!”
Amalgamation
I have spread myself too thin. Somehow I have ended up with 5 Facebook pages, 2 Twitter accounts and 2 blogs, none of which is currently well attended. So, in an attempt to simplify my life, I am cutting back! Continue reading “Amalgamation”
Characters in Guardian of Giria
Giria Wood is a large forest with a healthy population of animal families, many of whom feature in the story. Some are main characters and others are just family members who are mentioned once or twice. Together, they make quite a cast of characters. Continue reading “Characters in Guardian of Giria”
Kindle Version – Now Only 99c/99p!!!
The Kindle version of Guardian of Giria is currently on sale for just 99c / 99p.
Available from Amazon here.
Irish Book Launch – May 26th
I am so excited that Guardian of Giria is now available worldwide! You can buy a copy here or through most online retailers.
Continue reading “Irish Book Launch – May 26th”
Guardian of Giria – Read A Sample
A sample from the book is now available here.
Continue reading “Guardian of Giria – Read A Sample”
The Hardbacks Have Arrived!
The first batch of hardbacks arrived today and they are totally gorgeous (even if I do say so myself!)
Continue reading “The Hardbacks Have Arrived!”
Guardian of Giria – Book Trailer!
I had a lot of fun making this. I hope you enjoy it!
Continue reading “Guardian of Giria – Book Trailer!”
Red Deer Antlers: Annual Regrowth
A red deer stag with a massive crown of antlers is a very impressive sight. And indeed, that is part of their function – to make the stag look more impressive to the ladies. It takes a lot of testosterone to grow those antlers and it takes a lot of food to nourish them, so large antlers are a good indication of the virility and strength of the male. Unfortunately for the stags, they lose their antlers every year and then grow a new set. And while they’re between sets of antlers, they look just like the girls!
Continue reading “Red Deer Antlers: Annual Regrowth”
Introducing: Guardian of Giria!
It feels like I’ve been waiting such a long time to bring you this news and I am very, very excited. On Tuesday, May 8th 2018 I will be releasing my very first novel, Guardian of Giria.
Continue reading “Introducing: Guardian of Giria!”
