My column ‘Tales from a Stone Cottage’ has been appearing in the Country Living magazine since September 2007, with spot-on illustrations by Celia Witchard. As the by-line says: “Aly Wilks has lived in her Wiltshire village for eight years and enjoys chronicling rural life. Luckily, most of the neighbours still talk to her …” To see why it sometimes takes a couple of rounds in the local pub to keep to this happy state of affairs, you might like to glance at the following selection of articles from the past three years:
- EVERYTHING’S SHEEP-SHAPE (May 2009)
- SITTING TARGETS (August 2010)
- A RUSTIC ROMANCE (February 2011)
You may also enjoy some short interviews given by some of the ‘Tales from a Stone Cottage’ villagers, some of whom (after a period of tense negotiation) are also prepared to appear as occasional guest bloggers on my blog page.
Most of my ‘Tales from a Stone Cottage’ articles now appear in the book of the same name, published by Quiller Publishing. If you’ve read the articles and enjoyed them, and perhaps have a couple of torn-out ones knocking about somewhere, this book is for you! As well as the articles, there are extra funny bits at the end of each chapter and Celia Witchard has added some more of her brilliant illustrations to the ones that have already been published to accompany the column.
I was disappointed to read that you would no longer be writing in Country Living, but then pleased to read that you have a blog and also a book to be published. I love the illustrations too! We live in small village on the Isle of Wight so I can relate to some of your tales. Thank you. Keep on writing.
Hi Christine, so glad you’ve enjoyed my column. I’m having great fun at the moment compiling a book of the collected columns in conjunction with Celia Witchard (who does the illustrations). It’ll be called ‘Tales from a Stone Cottage’ (no surprises there!) and will be out in time for Christmas 2012. I visited the Isle of Wight a few years ago, and it was such a pretty place. I should think the villages have some very similar scenarios to the ones I have described in my village. Best wishes for 2012, Aly
lsorry that country living wont carry your columnove your writing and celias illustrtions.doris from the colonies
Dear Doris, I’m so glad that you enjoyed my writing and I’ll certainly tell Celia that you like her illustrations. It’s always absolutely lovely to have positive feedback! I’m delighted to think I’m being read in the USA, do have a glance at the blog from time to time and the book will be out in the autumn (fall!) Best wishes, Aly
Good morning !
About your ” tales from a stone cottage ” column …
You see I ‘ m unfortunately French and I buy ” Country Living ” every month just to have a laugh reading you …
I’m so disappointed to hear this was the last one !…
Suppose you’ll be back some time
Good luck and thank you again …
Christine from Var ( France …. )
Dear Christine, good morning! I’m so glad that you enjoyed my column. My book of all the columns I wrote for Country Living (called guess what: ‘Tales from a Stone Cottage’!) will be out in the autumn. Meantime do visit my blog – life goes on here, and I don’t stop writing about it! We’re snowy here, I hope all is well in France. Best wishes, Aly
miss your column in country liing mag. mag is boring withoutyou
Hi Doris, lovely to hear from you. Delighted that you’re missing me from CL, but I write my blog most days, so perhaps that will do instead! Best wishes, Aly
Hi Aly. Hello to you from Australia. Was so disappointed that your tales shall no longer be in the magazine. We get the mag a month late here and your page was always my first stop – always a fantastic read and laugh. Happy to hear about your book and can’t wait to get hold of a copy – probably with difficulty out here. But I shall be on a mission! All the best with your new ventures and shall enjoy reading your blogs. Heather
Hi Heather, great to hear that I’m missed! I hope my book will make it to Australia, I know it’s going to USA. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy the blog! Best wishes, Aly
Greetings from the village of Weatherford, Texas. I love your descriptions and characters. Your writing makes me view my little “village” in a different light. Of course the accents are very different, but people are people. Thank you. I miss your writing in Country Living. Sincerely, Vivian
Hi Vivian, lovely to hear from a village over the ocean. As you say – people are people, and they tend to do the same sort of things wherever they come from. Same applies to chickens, sheep etc. I’m so glad that you enjoy my writing, great to have your company. Best wishes, Aly
Hi, Aly!
I, too, was so disappointed to learn that you weren’t writing your “Tales From a Stone Cottage” for CL any longer. I am happy to find the collection in a book, though, and look forward to purchasing it. Your column was the first thing I turned to, when I was able to find the British edition of CL here in California. I’d curl up with a cup of tea and transport myself to the British countryside.
I will definitely add your blog to my favorites and live the country life vicariously through your musings.
Thank you for the enjoyment you have brought me over the years!
Sincerely,
CarolAnn
Dear CarolAnn, lovely to hear from you and I’m so glad you enjoyed the column. I checked with the publisher, and my book will certainly be available in USA. Meantime, the blog goes on! Best wishes, Aly
Hi Aly, As with the all the other comments I was so disappointed when I opened my Country Living magazine and discovered your usual article was missing. It arrives a month or two later here in Australia. I went through the whole magazine several times just to make sure I hadn’t missed it. I loved the stories and the illustrations and it was something to look forward to. I will certainly purchase the book. Best wishes, Patricia
Dear Patricia, lovely to hear from you and I’m so glad that you enjoyed my articles. Country Living magazine have commissioned a Christmas special, so you’ll be able to see how everybody in the village is getting on at Christmas time. I always love to hear from Australia because we lived there for a couple of years and still miss it (especially in January!) Best wishes, Aly PS delighted that you will be buying a copy of Book!
Dear aly, i used to buy the country living magazine in the shop in holland. Now i can read it on my i-pad online and saw a column of you in the december issue. I have read your columns with great pleassure, and maybe i’ll buy one one your books, your adventures bring a smile on my face, thanks for that.
Dear Anita, that’s great to hear! Glad to give you a smile, and if you buy a book you’ll have nearly every article I wrote for Country Living (no pressure!) Best wishes, Aly