Winchester Poetry Festival and other stuff

I always enjoy the Winchester Poetry Festival and it gives me a good excuse to visit the city I call my second home. I love it there.

This year it was a quick visit and I wondered how difficult it would be with South Western Trains on strike. Actually, the train we aimed for was on time! It was a beautiful autumn day and it was obvious that the poetry festival wasn't the only thing going on in town. David Attenborough was signing copies of his book in Waterstones and the queue was all the way down the high street. However, we headed for our favourite cafe for afternoon tea, followed by a wander by the river before heading to the Discovery Centre to see Ian McMillan at 6.30pm. I bought a copy of his new selected poems and while we were queuing to go in Ian strolled along the line chatting, mug of tea in hand. I asked if he'd sign my copy of his book which he duly did. I love the words he wrote because I always have happy days in Winchester.

That one hour listening to Ian McMillan read and tell stories went by so quickly. Laughter rang out through the auditorium and I could have listened to him all night. He is down to earth and funny and he talked a lot about his family and how the poems came to be written.  What a lovely evening. But that was the end of my visit to the festival this year. I know I'll be back. I was tempted by other books on the stalls but I'd bought so many lately. As it happened, I'd accidentally left all my credit cards at home so hubby to pay for everything yesterday, including dinner in a local pub afterwards, before we headed home on the slow train to London!

In other news, my second poem for The People's Friend was published in their autumn special on Wednesday and Visual Verse has published a poem of mine on their website this weekend (page 15). There is more of my work in their archive where you can find my author page. Here you will find poetry and flash fiction.

Ian (right) with the Chair of the Winchester Poetry Festival

Autumn in Winchester

The getaway

Essentials

Today hubby and I off to Winchester for a few days. I'm excited because I love this place. Had a hard job booking anywhere - seems the world and his wife a descending on Winchester this week - but we've found one small B&B with only one guest room and we have it! It's in a side road off the main attractions. So the suitcase is partly packed (ran out of time last night) and my only worry is getting 'the hubs' out of house in time for the train we want to catch (who said women take their time. I am always waiting for the men of the house!).

Yesterday (thanks to techie son) I was washing and ironing like there was no tomorrow. He'd decided to clear up his room and put out two wash loads of clothes. Was I mad! Clothes have been draping all over the lounge, though I managed to get one load dry on the line outside. I was ironing last evening between helping to collect up the waste bins (it was bins and recycle night!), wash up and clean out the guinea pigs!

On starting to pack I thought about coats. The weather forecast is predicting arctic conditions by the weekend so I pulled out my warmer jacket, decided it needed a wash and shoved it in the machine. It dries quickly and, hey presto, it is dry this morning!

I have gathered together the important stuff - books, something to write in, pencil case (with my youngest son's name still emblazoned on it from school days!), Starburst sweets, my Galaxy Tablet and the keyboard techie son bought me, plus charger (fits both device and phone).

I have been practicing with my Tablet. In fact yesterday's post and photo was done on it! Impressed eh? I have loaded a Word App because I find it easier to write in it and then it's a cut and paste job. I was very proud of myself when I managed to link the Bluetooth keyboard to my device all on my own. However, I know that as soon as I try to use it away from the comfort of home (and my support base - my wonderful sons, washing notwithstanding!) I shall be tearing my hair out. My favourite cafe - Eighteen 71 has free WiFi access, so that is where I shall be! I don't think our accommodation, being so small, has WiFi.

So, with any luck I will posting some interesting accounts of the trip, maybe even some photos. If not, you will know I have collapsed in the cafe in despair over WiFi and my device which suddenly is an alien to me! At least cafe Eighteen 71 is worth collapsing in - great food and drink - no better place to meltdown in! See you - or not!