Wednesday 14 December 2011

Wish I Was Here....


'Reaching For The Stars' is the latest novel by the lovely Janice Horton. Following on from Bagpipes & Bullshot, Janice has written her latest book about a celebrity chef. (Very 'of the moment,' what with Professional Masterchef and The Great British Bake-Off being so popular on television).

In ‘Reaching for the Stars,’ the main character Chef Finn McDuff feels he's had enough of all the food campaigns, the TV cookery shows, the constant frenzy surrounding his private life and disappears into a self-imposed exile for a while. Hence the theme of Launch Day is 'Wish I Was Here...' Janice has invited fellow writers to tweet or blog a picture of a place where we'd love to be - 'Wish I Was Here...'

My favourite place is the Villa Cimbrone Gardens over-looking the turquoise Tyrrhenian sea in Italy. It's on the Amalfi Coast in the hillside town of Ravello. It's close to the idyllic villages of Amalfi and Positano, both of which cling to the cliffs like exquisite flowers. I've visited these jewels in Italy four times now, but each time I find something new to marvel at.

The gardens at Villa Cimbrone are steeped in history and famous artists, writers and actors have escaped to its peace and tranquility over the years. A few visitors who have stayed are D H Lawrence, Greta Garbo, E M Forster, Piaget, Winston Churchill, to name but a few.

These gardens and views are my favourite place and 'I Wish I Was Here...'



Monday 5 December 2011

The Scent of Cinnamon


As golden light from windows glow,
Warm noses press against a pane
To see the trees all laced with snow
And frilled with ice, too cold for rain.

Sweet spices from the mince pies beckon,
Candles glow with cinnamon scents.
Thinking of loved-ones across the ocean,
Now that’s what Christmas represents.

Neighbours standing at the door
Wrapped in scarves and singing psalms.
Mistletoe held aloft with laughter
With hugs of joy and open arms.

Warm flames burning in the grate,
Stockings hanging from its shelf.
Family hugs as games are played
With fairy, reindeer and Christmas elf.

Children sleeping at long last
With snowman keeping guard outside.
Wishing all a Happy Christmas,
The merry friends and neighbours cried.

Angela Barton

A little light-hearted poem to wish you all a Happy Christmas!