A hard landing

Here's a peculiar happening - a Saturday morning that feels rather like a Monday.

I suspect it's the old return home after being on hols (kind of!) thing, a sort of bumpy landing on the airstrip of normality.  As mentioned in my previous blog, I had an amazing time in Swanwick at the Writers' Summer School, but as ever with something so exhilarating it all ends far too soon.

A quick and traditional Hall aside here - why must it be the way in life that the dull bits drag on and the fun bits fly?  "Dear whatever powers that be, can you kindly change this in future upgraded versions of existence..."

Anyway, as I was saying, last night I slept for nigh on ten hours straight through - Swanwickers, you tired me out! - something which I can't remember happening since the carefree days of childhood.  And I awoke with a mix of great pleasure at the week and sadness at it being over.

Thanks firstly to all those kind people who've got in touch to compliment me on the lectures, and to request my friendship on Facebook.  I'm proud to report I now have 140 friends, which in my view almost makes me young and very happening!

And secondly, now my mind has settled, a quick recap over the many highlights, on the surface to share my thoughts with you, "like what these blog things is supposed to be about", or perhaps just for me to have the pleasure of reliving them -

The buskers night and the great entertainments there, the discos and the dancing (attempted dancing in some cases), the spontenous chats that sprang up anywhere and everywhere, fuelled by the shared passion for writing, the guest speakers, the pleasure of lecturing to a great and talented group of crime enthusiasts, and finally, and most importantly - simply the people.

I met some amazing folk at Swanwick, some of whom touched me in ways I wonder if they'll ever really understand.  Thank you so much one and all, I hope we'll stay in touch and get together again in the years to come.

Off to the gym now for my standard Saturday morning beating myself up session - I need it after all the rich puddings of last week (not to mention the odd half of fruit juice here and there.)

So, yours for now, with far less of a Monday morning feeling after reliving all those many smiles...