A memory walk and other news

Cannizaro Park. Its herb garden is in one corner

 During Covid, my friend and I wrote in a lot of strange places. We still talk about it now. When we couldn't meet indoors, we met outdoors in gardens and parks. This graduated to shopping malls and drafty cafes with windows and doors open. But though they were the worst of times, they were also the best of times (sorry Dickens!). We made lots of memories and continued to write in different places.

The strangest place we wrote was at what was then called Centre Court shopping mall in Wimbledon (now called Wimbledon Quarter...not got the same ring, sorry). There was nowhere to sit, so we perched on a tiny window ledge of a shop. Not the most comfortable and at one time we thought we were going to be moved on by the security staff! The ledge was opposite some comfy chairs, all occupied. We kept our eyes on them and tried to move in when someone left, but always missed our opportunity, until a guy offered us his seats as he was leaving. What a nice man, and what dedication we had to writing during these weird times.

We sat away from the icy wind to write in Hays Galleria near London Bridge.

Then there was the bitterly cold day we met in Wimbledon and walked to Cannizaro Park by Wimbledon Common. We headed to the herb garden, a wee gated garden with benches. We wrote in gloves about silly stuff like Hot Lips Salvia, a plant in the garden, who became a person. And we drank homemade vegetable soup I'd brought in a flask. 

By the time cafes were re-opening, the cafe we used to go to had closed down and we found another nearby in Hammersmith by the River Thames. Our laughter often got out of hand over our writing, and we wondered if we would be asked to leave! 

Our bench in Fulham Palace Gardens

Now that friend has moved away, but we still see each other, email and text. Even though we may not have met for months, when we do, our laughter rings out in cafes, and it's just like yesterday. So, I dedicate this section to Julie, my writing buddy and treasured friend. Long may we write and laugh together wherever and whenever we meet.

I am excited to say that I have just had a poem published in London Grip, an online magazine. Nice to end the year with a success. Follow the link and then click on my name (Heather Walker) for a read.

One other piece of news for now - I have joined Sutton Writers. They run a prose group and a poetry group, though the latter is online. They are hoping to set up a writing group in January, which interests me most, and the first session I went to was a try-out for this group. It went really well with people reading and then writing to prompts, and reading again. I also attended the prose group where people read stories or flash stories they have written and feedback is offered, if people want it. They are a varied group and all ages. I read at both groups and look forward to getting to know people better. I find meeting other writers stimulating and encouraging. The sessions are something to aim for and get writing.

I also met up with the London Group on Saturday. I'd missed the last two meetings, so I was pleased to get there for this one. We caught up with one another and what we were working on before writing for an hour on our projects. I am doing edits to a novella-in-flash, which I will talk about next time.

Now, I'm enjoying the Advent season. December is probably my favourite time of winter, with lights and music. I have a concert to sing in next Sunday 8th, so I hope to keep well. There's nothing more soul destroying than having learnt everything 'off-copy' only to be ill on the day of the concert. It has happened to me.

Until next time, keep writing and reading and have a joyful Advent.