Monthly Archives: March 2018

Four Mums In a Boat Book Review

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Four Mums in a Boat: Friends who rowed 3000 miles, broke a world record and learnt a lot about life along the way

The incredible true story of four ordinary working mums from Yorkshire who took on an extraordinary challenge and broke a world record along the way.

Janette, Frances, Helen and Niki, though all from Yorkshire, were four very different women, all juggling full time jobs alongside being mothers to each of their 2 children. They could never be described as athletes, but they were determined to be busy and the local Saturday morning rowing club was the perfect place to go to have a laugh and a gossip, get the blood pumping in the open air, and feel invigorated.

Brought together by their love of rowing, they quickly became firm friends, and it wasn’t long before they cooked up a crazy idea over a few glasses of wine: together, they were going to do something that fewer people than had gone into space or climbed Everest had succeeded in doing. They were going to cross 3,000 miles of treacherous ocean in the toughest row in the world, The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

Yes, they had children and husbands that they would be leaving behind for two months, yes they had businesses to run, mortgages to pay, responsibilities. And there was that little thing of them all being in their 40s and 50s.

But two years of planning, preparation, fundraising, training and difficult conversations later, and they found themselves standing on the edge of the San Sebastian harbour in the Canary Islands, petrified, exhilarated and ready to head up the race of their lives.

This is the story of how four friends together had the audacity to go on a wild, terrifying and beautiful adventure, not to escape life, but for life not to escape them.

Frost really loved this amazing story of courage and resilience. It is also a must read for mothers who too often put their life on hold and never put themselves first. Nothing in life comes easy but it is possible to have children and live your life to the full. 

 

Available from amazon.co.uk

TAKE FOUR WRITERS: CELEBRATING, TOURING, SPINNING & FACE-PLANTING

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MARCH UPDATE FROM OUR FOUR WRITERS…

LUCY COLEMAN… CELEBRATING

March 1st began with a roar – the Beast from the East arrived but it just happened to be the day I started writing my fourth novel for Aria Fiction. Thankfully, after last month’s stressful IT problems, my new office set up is now working well.

The arrival of the snow was perfect timing, though, as my new WIP is a Christmas story and it helped set the scene perfectly!

I was also able to take time out to celebrate my first release with Aria. As the reviews begin to roll in this has been a month of counting my blessings. So many wonderful readers and bloggers have shown support for my first book writing as Lucy Coleman, that I have been overwhelmed.

But now my newest cast of characters are calling and I’m in writing heaven again. Have a lovely Easter and I hope to see you here again next month!  

CLAIRE DYER… TOURING

The two weeks after the publication of The Last Day saw myself and my book on tour.

Each day one lovely blogger would host us on their blog, either including a feature by me or a Q&A designed by them and answered by me. And each day I’d eagerly anticipate the tweet that would alert me to the fact that the post was public, click on the link and scroll down the page, my heart in my mouth, until I found their review of the novel.

I can assure you this was a really scary moment because their good opinion means so much. Bloggers are amazing people. They champion writers and novels and promote reading by their enthusiasm and love of all things book-related. Between us, The Dome Press and I were lucky enough to be hosted by 16 bloggers who each brought a unique insight into what The Last Day is about and how it resonated with them. I learned a great deal about my book by reading their reviews and am eternally grateful to them for each and every one.

 

ANGELA PETCH… SPINNING

You know that feeling when you are chasing your tail? It seems like you’re achieving zilch? “…Busy doin’ nothin’ working the whole day through…”? I have lots of plates spinning at the moment.

I’ve established “Write Away in Tuscany” for September 11th to 18th and found a fab tutor to run the morning classes for this course. I’ve scouted for help with covers that need revamping since Endeavour Press went into liquidation. People’s Friend encouraged me to write a serial and I had three more stories accepted. I’m co-writing a ghost book for Littlehampton Festival. I gave a talk to Ferring book club and accepted a bigger talk in Chichester in April. I attended the Southern Book Show and “networked”. And poor Mavis and Dot? They are sitting on a bench on the prom somewhere, waiting for me to write their fate in the last two chapters.

Oh yes – and I went to Snowdonia for five days to escape.

 

JACKIE BALDWIN… FACE-PLANTING

Hello, again. What have I been up to this month? Editing again! This time it is a line-edit where you really get down to the nitty-gritty. Repetitions are identified and eliminated. Very Special Forces! Someone goes to dinner and vanishes into a space time continuum for five days. Your characters leap to wild, insane conclusions and you have to go back and put the seeding in earlier on. You get the drift. The absolute opposite of fun! Right now, going to Tesco, doing the ironing, even cleaning the bathroom, seem sparkling with allure. Feeling the pressure as my book, Perfect Dead, is due out on 15th June and I still have a copy-edit to go through too. My mood was not improved by doing a total face plant in Dumfries High Street yesterday. I look like I’ve been in a bare knuckle fight and lost!

Repetitive Strain Injury – Can the Handshake Mouse Help? by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Modern living and using computers 24/7 is causing an increasing problem with repetitive strain injury (RSI) in the arms and wrists. It is due to repetitive activities (the clue is in the name) and can cause pain and tenderness, with or without tingling, numbness and weakness.

It is important, and indeed a legal requirement, to have your work-station checked, so that your posture at the computer is as good as possible. However the type of computer mouse we use can also make a difference.

BakkerElkhuizen take RSI seriously and have developed different mouse designs, which aim to keep the arm and wrist in a more natural position.

They asked me to road-test a Handshake Mouse, which has a ‘vertical grip’. This means that your hand and wrist is positioned as if you were shaking somebody’s hand (see the diagram).

 

 

Consequently the wrist doesn’t bend sideways as much and the lower arm needs less inward rotation. This reduces the amount of muscle activity required to use it, when compared to using a standard mouse. Thus you can have all of the speed of a mouse (compared to trackballs or touchpads) but without the pain.

The Handshake Mouse has two buttons and a scroll wheel. It also has a powerful laser sensor and the option to choose between 400/1600/3200 DPI (gosh). It’s available as wireless or corded.  It works with Windows Vista, 7,8, 10, and OS X operating systems. It is intended for small/medium-sized hands (their Evoluent model is better for large hands)

The benefits of these vertical mice was demonstrated in 16 volunteers (See Further Information) and other studies, and, with correct training, can reduce the risk factors for RSI.

I have to say, the sample I tested was extremely light and comfortable. and I think I heard my wrist whispering ‘Thank you’.  The buttons were positioned so I didn’t need to move my finger to use them and they required very little pressure. Overall a very comfortable experience.

I don’t see us using computers less over time, so it is well worth doing what we can to reduce risk of RSI, and at around £62, probably money well-spent.

 

 By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

Further Information:

  1. Biomechanics and performance when using a standard and a vertical computer mouse P Quemelo & E Ramos Viera Ergonomics, Vol 56, 2013, Issue 8

 

  1. Upper limb disorders in the workplace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Glorious Thirsk White Rose BookCafe has even more events lined up for April: by Milly Adams

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Thurs 19 April, from 7.30pm at White Rose BookCafe

Local author, Gemma Hogg will be in conversation with James Hogg talking about her new book ‘Stable Lass’. Riding out and mucking in, tales from a Yorkshire racing yard.

 

‘Vividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive – and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss.’ Brough Scott

Tickets £5 each, redeemable against a signed hardback copy of the new book, includes welcome drink. Pre order your signed copy and tickets from White Rose BookCafe tel 01845 524353, or e-mail sales@whiterosebooks.co.uk

 

Thursday 21st June, 7pm for 7.30pm start

In conjunction with the Booksellers Association, in support of the 10th Anniversary of Independent Bookshop Week (IBW), and as part of Pan Macmillan’s ‘Macmillan 175′ celebrations, as well as 21 years of Picador Poetry.

The brainchild of Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, with 4 Poet Laureates plus music and guest local poet, Kate Fox.

 Author Events

 

Thurs 12 April – Michelin Star Chef, Tommy Banks will be here signing copie sof his news book ‘Roots’ (time to be confirmed). A Free Event.

Sat 21 April – Book Signing with Mary Jayne Baker, ‘A Bicycle Made for Two’ from 11am to 12 noon. A Free Event.

 What’s NEW?  SPOTLIGHT ON …    Each Month we’ll feature a genre, author or selection of titles that take our interest, this month it is The Natural World –

The Wood, by John Lewis-Stempel, ‘Indisputably, one of the best nature-writers of his generation’ (Country Life) BBC Radio 4 ‘Book of the Week’

 

Epitaph for the Ash by Lisa Samson,‘Fascinating … Her pilgrimage to discover the present state of the ash in the UK, and the work that is being done to accommodate or counter ash dieback, is both a labour of love and an extraordinary achievement, especially given the heart-rending physical limitations Samson eventually endures as a result of life-saving surgery’ OBSERVER

 

Chasing the Ghost by Peter Marren,
Join renowned naturalist Peter Marren on an exciting quest to see every species of wild plant native to Britain.

 

 

Children’s Storytime    – Pre-School Storytime 10am to 10.30.am – FREE – Every Friday 

  Easter Weekend  ~ come & treat your family and friends in our Café, & browse our lovely selection of Easter cards and gift ideas.

  Café News …… Enjoy some Easter treats in our Café & Garden, weather permitting!
Easter Cupcakes and Easter Biscuits
Hot Cross Buns with Traditional Tea or white Rose Filter Coffee
Easter Drinks ~ Orange and Elderflower Spritzer
Easter Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream and mini eggs

 EASTER & SPRING opening hours :-
Good Friday 30 March 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Saturday 31 March 9am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Sunday 1 April 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Monday 2 April 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
NB: From Tuesday 3 April normal hours resume

 

 

 

 

Thurs 19 April, from 7.30pm at White Rose BookCafe

Local author, Gemma Hogg will be in conversation with James Hogg talking about her new book ‘Stable Lass’. Riding out and mucking in, tales from a Yorkshire racing yard.

‘Vividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive – and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss.’ Brough Scott

Tickets £5 each, redeemable against a signed hardback copy of the new book, includes welcome drink. Pre order your signed copy and tickets from White Rose BookCafe tel 01845 524353, or e-mail sales@whiterosebooks.co.uk
Thursday 21st June, 7pm for 7.30pm start

In conjunction with the Booksellers Association, in support of the 10th Anniversary of Independent Bookshop Week (IBW), and as part of Pan Macmillan’s ‘Macmillan 175′ celebrations, as well as 21 years of Picador Poetry.

The brainchild of Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, with 4 Poet Laureates plus music and guest local poet, Kate Fox.

 
 Author Events
Thurs 12 April – Michelin Star Chef, Tommy Banks will be here signing copie sof his news book ‘Roots’ (time to be confirmed). A Free Event.
Sat 21 April – Book Signing with Mary Jayne Baker, ‘A Bicycle Made for Two’ from 11am to 12 noon. A Free Event. What’s NEW?  SPOTLIGHT ON …    Each Month we’ll feature a genre, author or selection of titles that take our interest, this month it is The Natural World –
The Wood, by John Lewis-Stempel, ‘Indisputably, one of the best nature-writers of his generation’ (Country Life) BBC Radio 4 ‘Book of the Week’

Epitaph for the Ash by Lisa Samson,‘Fascinating … Her pilgrimage to discover the present state of the ash in the UK, and the work that is being done to accommodate or counter ash dieback, is both a labour of love and an extraordinary achievement, especially given the heart-rending physical limitations Samson eventually endures as a result of life-saving surgery’ OBSERVER

Chasing the Ghost by Peter Marren,
Join renowned naturalist Peter Marren on an exciting quest to see every species of wild plant native to Britain.

Children’s Storytime    – Pre-School Storytime 10am to 10.30.am – FREE – Every Friday 

  Easter Weekend  ~ come & treat your family and friends in our Café, & browse our lovely selection of Easter cards and gift ideas.

  Café News …… Enjoy some Easter treats in our Café & Garden, weather permitting!
Easter Cupcakes and Easter Biscuits
Hot Cross Buns with Traditional Tea or white Rose Filter Coffee
Easter Drinks ~ Orange and Elderflower Spritzer
Easter Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream and mini eggs
  EASTER & SPRING opening hours :-
Good Friday 30 March 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Saturday 31 March 9am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Sunday 1 April 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Monday 2 April 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
NB: From Tuesday 3 April normal hours resume

 

ABBA Super Troupers: The Exhibition at Southbank Centre, London – Review: Paul Vates

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There has been a little bit of Sweden in Marylebone, where the embassy sits, for quite a few years. But there is an additional Swedish area in London that is only here until the end of April. It’s at the Southbank Centre. Not the small pop-up Abba shop near the ticket office, which is easy to stumble across. No. In an unassuming little corner of the complex, almost hidden away, is a small Scandinavian treasure.

 

ABBA Super Troupers: The Exhibition is an immersive tour through the history of one of the most famous pop groups of all time. Forget what you know and, even, what you think you know. I believe these exhibitions are best enjoyed with child-like innocence. Allow the experience to lead you by the hand and learn everything afresh.

 

 

 

Björn Ulvaeus

[Photo: Victor Frankowski]

 

It was opened by Björn Ulvaeus himself, sitting here in the recording studio section of the tour (if you don’t know who he is, firstly – where have you been?!? – and secondly, you need to visit this exhibition). The tour has timed entry and there is a maximum of sixteen people on each one. A guide take you through, if my memory serves, ten installations – each one is a major moment in the history of the group.

 

[Photo: Mikael Bodner]

 

In each room, the guide explained where we were, answered any of our questions and pointed out some of the interesting display items, such as this gold single [pictured above] which is for the Swedish version of Ring Ring. Abba – then known as ‘Björn & Benny/Agnetha & Frida’ – weren’t chosen by the jury to be the official entry for Sweden to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973. The song was still released as a single, though, becoming a huge hit. The following year, they were wisely chosen as the Swedish entry.

 

 

There is much to learn throughout – not just about pop music. Historic events are played out, newspapers can be read, television programmes watched. The whole piece is attempting to place Abba in context with the world about them, amidst the gloomy social and political backdrop of Britain in the 1970s. A bold move considering how quickly we are escorted through time.

 

[‘open-air festival’ – Photo: Victor Frankowski]

 

As we enter and search each room, a narrator supplies additional setting and information about our whereabouts. It is the voice of Jarvis Cocker, frontman of Pulp. Not an obvious choice, perhaps, until you learn about his love of Abba.

 

 

My favourite exhibit was the recording studio – where we were even invited to join in with the band and karaoke along to Dancing Queen.

 

The exhibition is fascinating and informative; the guide is fun and upbeat. All the objects on shown are either from The Abba Museum or private collections. Although it lasts an hour, the time simply flies by. Perhaps a little too fast for genuine fans, who might wish to linger a little longer in this Abba-world. I loved it, though. In fifty years time, will there be exhibitions about One Direction or Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran? Probably not. And that is exactly why Abba are special. As strong and timeless as they ever were.

 

Ironic, too, that the nearest station to the exhibition is Waterloo… Super Troupers: The Exhibition is on at The Southbank Centre, London, until 29th April 2018. Information and tickets can be found at this website address:

https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/123377-abba-super-troupers-201718

 

 

 

World Autism Awareness Week: New film shows how autistic people feel socially isolated

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autism, ASDTo mark World Autism Awareness Week, The National Autistic Society (NAS) have released a powerful new film ‘Diverted’.

The film follows Saskia, an autistic actor, as she experiences sensory sensitivities and unexpected changes to her train journey – changes which can trigger anxiety and even cause people to feel as though they can’t travel. Alongside the film, NAS have released new statistics which demonstrate the everyday challenges some autistic people face, including that 75% of autistic people say that unexpected changes, like train diversions, make them feel socially isolated.

‘Diverted’ forms part of NAS’s Too Much Information campaign which encourages the public to find out more about autism. Please watch it and learn more about the struggles of autistic people.

World Malbec Day on 17th April

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It’s world Malbec day on 17th April, did you know?The least we can all do is to try some of these first class wines, remembering to toast the day.

 

Frost of course, is first off the starting blocks to try the wines we’re featured below. Such good value, such elegant wines, both of them.

 

Tributo Malbec 2015

Tributo means homage, and therefore, with Tributo, Viña Caliterra honors the quality of its land, its people, and all of the details that come together in perfect harmony to create an exceptional wine.  A lively red colour, this elegant wine has intense notes of berries and violets on the nose, with soft spicy hints too.

RRP: £13.30

The Fisherman’s Retreat, Halifax Wine Company, Field & Fawcett, The Whalley Wine Company, Ellies Cellar, North & South Wines, Cheers Wine Merchant.

 

Left Field Malbec 2014

And so the story begins:

Down a dark alleyway the brooding and intense characters of blackberry and liquorice meet the heroically proportioned mass of dark chocolate draped in smooth, fine velvet. Imbibe on its own or devour with a rare cut of beef.

 RRP: £17.45

Stockists: www.nzhouseofwine.co.uk, Fenwick Newcastle, Noble Grape Wines, Auriol Wines

 

Frost Loves: Hape Pound N Tap Bench

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hape, toys, reviews, This glorious musical toy arrived at the weekend. Much to the delight of the Frost toddler. The Frost baby was also fascinated by the colour and the noise, but was swiftly moved along for being too young to play with it. It is a smart idea and well made. As all Hape toys are. Lots of fun is to be had with this and the xylophone also pulls out and can be played with individually. Frost loves….

The Hape pound and tap bench features a pull out xylophone and pounding station. Explore cause and effect as balls drop when they hit the pounding area which sends the balls tinkling over the xylophone. Pull out the keyboard and the xylophone can be played solo. Experiment with playful rhythm patterns for a musical delight and sound experience

 

Suitable from 12 Months+ The Hape Pound N Tap Bench is available from Poppets for £24.95.