As York is in Tier 2 my Halloween celebrations are going to be pretty low key this year. I'm going to miss trick and treating with my godson who thinks Halloween is the best holiday, even better than Christmas, due to the sheer quantity of chocolate on offer! I have however made a little video … Continue reading Happy Halloween!
Lammas – Celebrating Abundance
At this time of year, grain is ripening in the fields, there’s crops of fruits ready and gardens are lush with colour. This first harvest is celebrated as Lammas (also known as Lughasadh) and takes place on 1st August in the Northern hemisphere this year. The word ‘Lammas’ comes from ‘loaf mass’ as traditionally bread would … Continue reading Lammas – Celebrating Abundance
Solstice and Sea
Celebrating solstice and sea during lockdown.
Stone Circles in Fiction
I’ve been obsessed with stone circles since a family holiday to Brittany when I was 15. I remember vividly my fascination with the stone alignments at Carnac which kicked off a lifelong passion. I’m what my best friend’s husband, who’s an archaeologist, calls “a stone botherer” which doesn’t bother me at all as my stone … Continue reading Stone Circles in Fiction
Stromness – town of the sea (and home of a storm witch)
I fell in love with the tiny town of Stromness the first time I visited back in 2010. I’d read the books of Orcadian poet, George Mackay Brown (who lived all his life in Stromness) long before my first trip to the islands and I have this slightly whimsical idea that, through his words, the … Continue reading Stromness – town of the sea (and home of a storm witch)
Westray – White sands, a storm witch and a very small plane
With Storm Witch being published on Friday I thought I’d introduce you to some of the places and folklore which inspired the book. As you know, Storm Witch is set in Orkney which is one of my favourite places. I first visited in 2010 having become fascinated by the islands from the books of George … Continue reading Westray – White sands, a storm witch and a very small plane
Stopping to take stock
For the past few years I’ve had what people call a ‘portfolio career’. As well as writing, I’m a consultant, an external examiner and a creative writing tutor. That takes a lot of swapping of hats and this week has been particularly hectic. Monday morning saw me at an important meeting in York, Monday afternoon … Continue reading Stopping to take stock
Ness of Brodgar – Uncovering #Orkney’s Neolithic past
I’ve been fascinated by the Neolithic period in a very unscientific kind of way for years. Stones circles are a bit of an obsession of mine and I’ve driven down many tiny lanes in search of sites that are marked on OS maps but don’t have a single sign post. I love the mystery of … Continue reading Ness of Brodgar – Uncovering #Orkney’s Neolithic past
Alys West 