Dressing the Setting

Posted on September 21, 2019 by

North Norfolk Steam Railway: 5th July 2019

When it comes to set-dressing, this steam-enthusiasts’ mecca has it aced. Every detail…  Authentic.

For details of #2019picoftheweek challenge see MariaAntonia

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CCC#45: FLAW

Posted on September 19, 2019 by

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #45

Davey, did you bring that map?

Sure did, Jace. Why?

Did you check it out before you suggested the shortcut?

Um…

You didn’t, did you?

Why, what’s the prob?

That, over there, that’s the prob.

Is that the *isolated-back-of-beyond* Berny hired for his party?

Got it in one, Davey. Remember the invite? Boats and foot access only. And now you see why.

Oh.

Best you look at that map. See where there’s a crossing.

. . .

Well?

Um… Fifteen miles upriver.

What about downriver?

That’s the sea.

Just remind me of this, next time you say *I know a shortcut.*

Guess that’s another FLAW?

Yeah, you and your Famous Last Words.

Posted in Mostly Micro, Photos | Tagged , , , | 49 Comments

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #45

Posted on September 18, 2019 by

CCC#45

Welcome to my weekly challenge—open to all—just for FUN, FUN, FUN

Here’s how it works:

Every Wednesday I post a photo (this week it’s that one above.)
You respond with something CREATIVE

Here are some suggestions:

  • An answering photo
  • A cartoon
  • A joke
  • A caption
  • An anecdote
  • A short story (flash fiction)
  • A poem
  • A newly minted proverb, adage or saying
  • An essay
  • A song—the lyrics or the performance

You have plenty of scope and only two criteria:

  • Your creative offering is indeed yours
  • Your writing is kept to 150 words or less

If you post a link in the comments section of this post I’ll be able to find it
If you include Crimson’s Creative Challenge as a heading, WP Search will find it (theory)
by ‘Searching’ in the WP Reader (fingers crossed)

Here’s wishing you inspirational explosions. And FUN.

A view of Breydon Water (at low tide) with Berney Arms Windmill (Norfolk)

Posted in Crimson's Creative Challenge, Photos | Tagged , | 48 Comments

Hark His Delicate Manners

Posted on September 17, 2019 by

Image by Les Whalley on Pixabay

“Ribald, sit,” said Ribald’s neighbour. Young, delicate, he looked better suited to the Church than to battles. But Guy knew who he was, had seen him several times at the king’s court. He was the Breton Count Stefan. “I’m told you come seeking my brother?”

Guy bowed deeply from where he stood at the far end of the hall. “Lord. I do seek audience with Count Alan. On a matter most urgent.”

“Ho! Hark at his delicate manners! Who’s his lord, did he say?” called a blond drunkard from the high-table.

“See the badge on the boy?” said his companion. “Belongs to that old fart Rainald.”

106 words, excerpt from Bellinn Road, a time-slip fantasy posted in 2012-2013 as Neve.

For details:  Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt

Posted in Fantasy Fiction, Mythic Fiction | Tagged , | 12 Comments

What Pegman Saw: A Gift From Kianda

Posted on September 16, 2019 by

Angola oilfield by Douel Darole on Google Maps

Craig boarded that plane with heavy heart. Ten years he had worked with Brendon. Saudi, Oman, Sarawak, and now Angola. Separately they applied for the contracts and separately they won them. But this was their last contract together.

Why hadn’t the man listened. The locals had told him. That case of cash hauled out of the sea was a gift from Kianda and should be used to the benefit of the village. But no, Brendon had kept it, drank it. Drunk every night in the bar… until sot-headed, he fell into the water.

This last trip home, they travelled separately, Craig on the plane amongst the other petrochem workers, Brendon alone in a crate in the cargo hold.

118 words written for What Pegman Saw: Angola

Kianda is the Angolan goddess of the sea, though she also inhabits rivers, pools and other water-holes. It’s believed if Kianda bestows a gift, it should be used for the benefit of the local community. To do otherwise is to risk death. She takes mermaid form.

Posted in Mostly Micro | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Sunday Picture Posts: Bright Summer Berries

Posted on September 15, 2019 by

Last week’s berries were edible. These, while edible, are mildly toxic when raw. Best cooked.

Guelder Rose in berry: 19th August 2019

These bright red berries make excellent jelly or jam.

Posted in Photos | Tagged , | 31 Comments

A Square Round Well

Posted on September 14, 2019 by

The *Round Well* at Costessey: 2nd Sept 2019

My submission for the #2019picoftheweek challenge title: All’s Well

For details of #2019picoftheweek challenge see MariaAntonia

This magnificent well sits beside the main Norwich to Dereham road, at the corner of Longwater Lane in Costessey. Despite misinformation to the contrary, it is not a sacred well but of quite modern origin, believed constructed by French prisoners of war (according to Norfolk County Council’s Heritage site, but then they date it to 1820). As a child, I remember a ricketty wooden door at the back, peeping through it to spy the ferns that grew from the damp brickwork inside. It has since been secured.

Long shot of Round Well with obelisk: 2nd Sept 2019

Posted in History, Photos | Tagged , , , | 49 Comments

CCC#44: With a Thunderous Roar

Posted on September 12, 2019 by

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #44

No whispering swishing whimper
No rattling clattering sprinter,
But always a rumbling thundering roar.
That’s our Lord Hinton
on his way from Swindon to Frinton.

Written for Crimson’s Creative Challenge #44

Posted in Crimson's Creative Challenge, Poems (Some Silly) | Tagged , , | 63 Comments

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #44

Posted on September 11, 2019 by

CCC#44

Welcome to my weekly challenge—open to all—just for FUN, FUN, FUN

Here’s how it works:

Every Wednesday I post a photo (this week it’s that one above.)
You respond with something CREATIVE

Here are some suggestions:

  • An answering photo
  • A cartoon
  • A joke
  • A caption
  • An anecdote
  • A short story (flash fiction)
  • A poem
  • A newly minted proverb, adage or saying
  • An essay
  • A song—the lyrics or the performance

You have plenty of scope and only two criteria:

  • Your creative offering is indeed yours
  • Your writing is kept to 150 words or less

If you post a link in the comments section of this post I’ll be able to find it
If you include Crimson’s Creative Challenge as a heading, WP Search will find it (theory)
by ‘Searching’ in the WP Reader (fingers crossed)

Here’s wishing you inspirational explosions. And FUN.

Posted in Crimson's Creative Challenge, Photos | Tagged , , | 42 Comments

A Golden Opportunity

Posted on September 10, 2019 by

Beaker Pottery Museum of prehistory and early history, Berlin Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3. License: Alfons Aberg

Just as the previous contract was about to end, I saw a position advertised at the local museum. Here, in Wessex.

Okay, so it wasn’t paying much but that was expected; a small museum, a pimple compared with the V&A. More relevant, the museum housed a good portion of the finds from the Royal Barrows of Salisbury Plain. The gold was amazing. But it wasn’t just that. The Beaker pottery, the Grooved Ware, the polished stone axes, the flints. I get as excited about that as most women would get about a new lover. My fingers trembled as I updated my c.v.; I could scarcely control the pen as I completed the application form. Oh, and I so wanted my writing to be immaculately tidy. In a job like this, it matters.

I was short-listed for interview. And, gosh, when I remember, I was tight with anxiety.

147 words for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt

An excerpt from Priory Project, a Sci-fi/Fantasy posted weekly back in 2015

Posted in Mostly Micro | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments