This weekend Dymchurch celebrates the novels written by Russell Thorndyke with re-enactments and events throughout the village. I was offered the opportunity to sell my books in the village hall, alongside the Dymchurch Art Society who were displaying their work. They made me so welcome and it was lovely to join them; we had lots of locals and visitors through the door which was fantastic. Heavy rain one afternoon forced the Romney Marsh Morris to dance in the hall, and so we had some entertainment too. I met people who had already read some of my books and some who were new customers. A fantastic weekend with some lovely people. The photo shows a selection of cards I bought. Good to support local people.

Last week I moved away from Romney Marsh and wrote two Ashford based chapters to be included in my new novel. Secrets of the Shingle had two chapters set in Willesborough, Newtown and the town centre. The sequel includes Eastwell Lake, Victoria Park and the town centre. The Eastwell Lake scenes were inspired by my editor who spoke of a marble figure which used to be in the church when she was younger. She recently found the same figure in the Victoria and Albert museum. I'm hoping she'll have a lovely surprise when now finds her in my pages.
I joined an Ashford facebook page and soon had some of my queries answered; now the tearooms and local newspaper have names rather than highlighted ???? in the text. So, the Ashford pages have been competed to my satisfaction and my characters are once again back in more familiar surroundings.
I also re-visited Newtown earlier this month; it was an area which really interested me when I wrote the earlier novel and as I re-read it, I was once again drawn to explore the area. One of my photos shows Newtown Green with the tall building being the public baths. The other is the marble lady of Eastwell Lake - isn't she grand!