An UPS parcel delivery man arrived today, ran the gauntlet of dogs/cat/geese and delivered the proofs for my ‘Tales from a Stone Cottage’ book. Mega excitement! So far I’ve only been sent the pages that have colour illustrations on them, but as that covers just about every page I can get a really good idea of the shape and feel of the book.
And I really, really like it.
I’ve said it before, but Celia’s illustrations are so good. I find them funny, and true to life, and spookily accurate. She’s never visited my stone cottage on purpose, so she can use imagination rather than slavish copying, but you would never know it. She’s even got my sheep right. And pictures like the time the washing line blew down and the geese got involved – honestly, she could have been leaning over the wall with her drawing pad and taking it down from life.
I’ve written some extra bits for the end of each chapter – villager’s handy hints for Food from the Wild etc, and I love the way those have been done. And most of all it’s great to have the articles under one heading, collected together.
Anyway, I won’t go on about it (much) but it’s an exciting moment. Tomorrow I venture up to London to have a chat with Country Living, which will be fun. Apart from anything else, it’ll be great to wear something other than wellies and a harassed expression as I trudge around the quagmire that my previously beautiful section of England has become. Funnily enough it’s a great year for roses here, I’ve never known them so good. I was smelling them blissfully with my eyes closed yesterday and very nearly sniffed up a bumblebee, which would have been a shock for both of us.
Other news: the sheep are feeling light and airy without their wool, and have taken to galloping about in packs. I was worried at first, thought they were being chased, but then they started bouncing like pogo sticks and I realised it was girlish high spirits. The horses are high maintenance regarding rugs, which need changing constantly as it rains, then doesn’t rain, then gets intensely hot, then rains again. And Frillz wants everybody to know that she’s lovin’ it in the hen run now, and spends most of her time up the ladder in the ark having girlie chats with her new mates.
Aly,
Looking forward to your book…..I miss your stories in Country Living, it just isn’t the same without you! I enjoy following your blog, it is one of my faves ! I hope that your summer isn’t all wet ! It’s been dry as a bone here in Ohio and we could use a good rain for the farmers.
Have a great week,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen, thanks so much for positive vibes about The Book. How lovely to hear about Ohio, and that it’s dry. It’s raining as I speak, but surprisingly hot. I’d better go and take the horses’ rugs off. Or possibly put them on. Everything here is soggy, and it’s time to make hay but the ground is far too wet even if it wasn’t raining. Oh well, it’s wonderfully green. Best wishes, Aly
Congratulations on your book!
enjoy London! Sabine
In agree with Kathleen, CL is not the same without you, but if you talk to them tomorrow, maybe you could tell them that the welsh farmhouse cook is greatly missed too, and where are the pets photographs?
PS. Celia’s illustrations are very funny and perfect for your stories.
Hi Sabine, and thanks so much for your kind comments. Of course I’ll pass on feedback to CL, but do think of telling them yourself – mags love hearing direct from readers. Aly x
Aly
It’s so fun watching sheep bouncing about.
Can’t wait to see your book published. Always loved those illustrations too. Let us American readers know how we can purchase a copy when it is out.
Barbara
Never mind, Aly.
I popped over to the U.S. Amazon version and saw that I can order your book there.
Looking forward to it.
Barbara
Hi Aly,
What an exciting parcel you must feel very proud, what a great achievement! Hope you had a great day visiting Country Living.I agree the magazine isn’t the same without you, but it’s great to read your stories here instead!
Sarah x
Hi Sarah, yes it was deeply exciting. And looks just like I hoped it would look. Had a surprisingly lovely day in London. Beautiful weather, and it was great to chat with CL about the book. Aly x
It all sounds so exciting Aly, I am so pleased you are happy with everything…I for one cannot wait until it is published
I just pre-ordered your book through Amazon….can’t wait to receive it in Aug. I hope my main guy Wenceslas has a chapter of his own……maybe he will autograph my copy for me!
So glad to read that the sheep have their new summer haircuts. I can picture them bouncing around singing “I feel pretty”.
Hi Lynn, you star! I do hope you like it when you get it, but I feel quietly confident. Hens star in Book as often as I could slip them in, though not sure Wenceslas himself is there (no publicity). He’s in great form, featherier than ever. Aly x
I’m glad that you are pleased with your proofs and I too am waiting to buy my copy.
It’s wonderful watching lambs hurtling around fields and then suddenly boinging off in different directions. It’s food for the soul.
Janet x
Hi Janet, you’re so right about watching lambs being good for you. Same applies to chicks. I’m sure I’m a better person after ten minutes watching them poddling around their ark finding things to be amazed about. Aly x