What a crazy few weeks here in Scotland. When asked I say I am British. I am proud to be Welsh AND British. And Dorothy feels the same about being Scottish. We don’t feel that you should have to choose. ...more
Summer is here at last but no global warming when you need it! Where’s the sunshine? You will be able to see from my website the country wide tour I am undertaking, visiting agricultural shows, steam engine shows, as well ...more
It’s an interesting question because, believe me, it’s not for the money. As a small child I loved making up stories and games and I lived in a wonderful world of make believe. At school this translated into writing essays ...more
The heading refers to my liquid intake – not the weather which is far from dry. My New Year’s resolution was not to drink alcohol throughout January. Now bear in mind I am an author and I have a tradition ...more
Autumn already! At a few book signings recently I have autographed and personalised books with the words “A Merry Christmas” !!!!! All bought by women who already are ticking things off their Christmas list. As with most men of my ...more
It’s that time of year when I’ll be touring bits of the UK doing book-signings at agricultural shows and similar events. I enjoy these enormously as I meet a lot of friendly people who stop and chat and peruse my ...more
A lovely time of year. Of course Spring brings optimism and hope, not to mention snow-drops and daffodils. I was taken to see Die Hard 5 for a birthday treat last Friday. Bruce Willis and his son are shot at, ...more
Like everybody else I know, I have no problem with what faith people have. I want to live in a tolerant world where people are free to enjoy their religion and take comfort from their beliefs. Tolerance surely has to ...more
We are coming up to the season of goodwill to all men. The problem is, I can find very little of it. Across the world there are wars, people dying unnecessarily and children starving. In Europe we have tens of ...more
Go, sit upon the lofty hill, And turn your eyes around, Where waving woods and waters wild Do hymn an autumn sound. The summer sun is faint on them — The summer flowers depart — Sit still — as all ...more
Dorothy and I have just spent 11 days back-packing in Italy and Switzerland. It was great fun. It all started at the airport when we arrived with relatively small bags slung over our shoulders. Other passengers were dragging massive suitcases ...more
In the last two weeks we have visited 2 islands. We spent a weekend at the Auchrannie Hotel and Spa resort on Arran and on Saturday we had a day in Mull visiting our nephew Robert. It really brought home ...more
Two weeks into January already. 2012 has arrived and I have now stopped using 2011 every time I write a date! Festivities are over and it’s back to reality. Or at least it is for most people. Me? I’m lucky. ...more
Christmas is approaching, and approaching fast. The time gap between last Christmas and this is shorter than in previous years. This fact I have become aware of each year for about the last ten. Is there anybody else who has ...more
or just document over the websmartessayland.comand additionally media world wide web I was born in 1950. In those days we had a party line telephone – two households to one line. Most communications were by letter or postcard or, if ...more
By Robin Turner THERE is a touch of James Bond about Welsh thriller writer Paul Henke’s military background. He became a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, had adventures around the world as an underwater explosives expert and survived a ...more