Folly Farm

Apologies for not having posted a review so far this week. It's mainly because I was here for a few days, at Folly Farm, for a gathering of children's authors, all members of the Scattered Authors' Society. Folly Farm is a beautiful place. It was converted by the Avon Wildlife Trust into a conference centre a few years ago, and there are ponds and woods and fields and streams.

There is also this extraordinary ancient tree. It's called the Folly Oak, but I couldn't find anything else out about it, so I don't know exactly how old it is. Isn't it magical?

We had that mix of sunshine and mist that makes for the most enchanting effects, especially with the glow you get in a late winter afternoon. My camera isn't really up to coping with such subtle light as well as I'd like, but here's an attempt.

The company was great, the food was outstanding, the sessions we had were intriguing and energising. Two in particular stood out: one where we brought to the room any plot problems we were having with works-in-progress. The ideas and suggestions fizzed like spectacular fireworks. The other was a sort of meditative exercise; we had to imagine we were walking in a wood, and we went down some steps, and into a cave, and we met an animal, and were given various gifts... After it, not only did I feel incredibly relaxed - I also had a new idea about what will probably be my next project. This was the wood I visualised as my starting place.

And then on the way home, I stopped by Chew Lake because I saw these.

Lovely!