Here in the UK there’s been a high-profile case about a young nurse who’s been convicted of killing seven new-borns, over a 4 year period, on the neo-natal unit of a Chester hospital. It wasn’t so much about the baby deaths - terrible as those were - but of how the hospital managers supported the nurse over the whole period. At one point, they even forced the accusing doctors to send her a letter of apology for their evidential accusations, and to offer the nurse a better job in a top children’s hospital in London. The crux of the matter is that there’s a culture in our hospitals and other top institutions of protecting their integrity and reputation at all costs. Looking back at my own life, I’ve noticed the same protectionism in many of my former workplaces but especially our universities. Nothing must rock the boat of the establishment! Something needs to be done to bring out the truth in this world, despite the opinions of those in exalted positions, who strive to sustain their own positions no matter what. Feel a book coming on….
20th August 2023
Did you read about that elderly couple’s nightmare with budget airline Ryanair? It’s a symptom of today’s digital world. The airline’s booking system was so complicated, the couple downloaded the return boarding pass by mistake. At check in, the airline said unless they paid £110, staff wouldn’t print their correct outward boarding pass! But at least the couple had managed the rest of the online booking system. It made me think of my late brother who never learned IT, didn’t possess a laptop or mobile phone, or even possess any credit or debit cards. How would he have got on in today’s world where human interractions (like physical banks, train ticket offices, etc) are being phased out? So many film franchises today - I’m thinking Game of Thrones, Avatar etc - and practically every TV ad have cartoon-like people and childish voiceovers - all aimed at the young. So, as hinted at last week, I decided to write my 14th book, but this time from the point of view of a very old person. There are a lot of us out there, a neglected commodity. Time to redress the balance.
13th August 2023
Watching the Lionnesses overcome all odds to win their game against Columbia yesterday, I thought how young they all were. Youth is such a fleeting thing. Tomorrow, a fitter plans to arrive chez nous to take up our small landing carpet and replace it with Karndean flooring. The carpet had been irretrievably stained by our old dogs and, despite my valiant efforts with a sure-fire mix of bicarb and white vinegar, the wet stains were now too ingrained to be removed. The fitter is an amazing 73, benefitting from decades of work experience, and still working. As a writer, it made me realise there was one topic that, in my previous 14 books, I hadn’t yet covered: a story from the perspective of someone very old. I’m one chapter in so far, my old head buzzing with ideas. So, to all you young people out there, remember the words of Charles Aznavour. Yesterday When I Was Young, the taste of life was sweet as rain among my tongue. I treated life as if it were a game and never saw the emptiness beyond…… So, young footballers everywhere. Enjoy your successes while you can. Here today, gone tomorrow. Come On England!
6th August 2023
When I started writing Pensioners in Paradis, the opening pages centred on a typical English shopping street, with its mix of vehicles and hordes of shoppers providing a pot pourri of life itself. Today, there have been so many essential urban infrastructure changes in the name of climate change, our local and city centre shopping streets are unrecognisable. Side roads deliberately blocked off, access impeded and vehicle owners hounded out of existence - effectively causing all those lovely department stores and small shops to close due to lack of shoppers. What they have done is channel shoppers away from the wonderful shopping experiences of yesteryear towards the anodyne anonymity of lonely, online purchases. No joy, no shopping pleasure, just functional ordering/receiving - ironically adding yet more delivery vans onto our closed off roads. Take a look at all the happy shoppers in this photo of Birmingham city centre in the ‘50s. Please can we go back? Simple really. Stop emission zones (which only push traffic jams to another nearby road), reduce shop business rates to encourage more traders, restore easy access and provide ample nearby free parking for shoppers. Only then can we all really live again. Voila!
30th July 2023
When we moved back to the UK in 2017, the house we bought was necessarily purchased off-plan (whilst we were still in France), so its exact location in the Birmingham area was a fluke. However, in light of this week’s findings by climate scientists, its location is perfect. A new study, published on Tuesday in the Journal Nature, has found that the Atlantic Gulf Stream might collapse by 2025! The previously-warm waters could not only plunge the UK and the US eastern seaboard into another ice-age, it would cause sea levels to rise alarmingly. There’s no doubt that climate change is happening, just like 2.4 million years ago when the earth’s climate repeatedly changed between very cold periods and very warm periods - just as it’s predicted now. But man wasn’t around all that time ago, so it must have been caused by a regular global shift. Back in the ‘50s I remember much colder winters, very heavy pollution and smog. Today the air is noticeably much cleaner here, yet ironically we are told it’s much worse. And me, the innate pessimist? I’m breathing a sigh of relief. Our house is on high ground (away from flood risk) and in the Midlands - far away from sea surges. And the fluctuating temperatures? Central heating and air-con. Sorted.
23rd July 2023
Fifty-six years ago today, we got married. In 1967 the world was a very different place. As a girl I wasn’t expected to go to university and was encouraged to learn shorthand and typing so that I could go into the traditional role of secretary to a man. Later, I followed all the ‘rules’: when we got married very young, as normal, I was expected to leave work, then save for a deposit on a house, then have the ‘correct’ number of children - two. Back then, no-one would have dreamt of changing that order, and woe betide any girl getting pregnant outside of marriage. Such girls were shunned by society and even by their own family. How different life is today for women. Yesterday’s Women’s World Cup symbolised the remarkable change in society’s attitudes. They even wear the same kit as male footballers. All sports should follow their dress code, especially beach volleyball! They’re not there to look pretty but as sportswomen.So, today, no longer must women follow ‘traditional’, subservient roles to men. It’s a lifetime away from the now-dated mindsets of 1967 - and, as a female writer in 2023, I’m grateful. But, another 4 years and we get a card from the King - some traditions die hard!
Sunday 16th July 2023
My first large book-signing event yesterday was certainly an experience. Birmingham’s iconic Council House was fabulous inside, all marble floors, sweeping staircases and expensive artwork on the walls. In the banqueting suite, all was prepared for the 60+ writers in attendance.
There were free refreshments available. Even doughnuts to tempt us! And we all had a goodie bag. I particularly liked the wooden fan - to go with my Shanghai book. Later, there were genre sessions, celebs and music bands, a pub gathering and barge trip. Thank you to all the organisers who worked so hard.
Today at 12 noon, I’m being interviewed by the lovely Lee Benson. The hour long show, including my choice of music, will be broadcast today on ‘Listen With Lee’ on Black Country Xtra. Below are the links to listen to it live, and to listen to it over the next 7 days.
