In this crazy world, it is enough to just appreciate a lovely place such as our peaceful beach on an afternoon’s walk or admire the muddle of pink clematis montana as it tumbles over the fence to herald spring’s arrival.

The artichokes have already burst into life with its hearts evident and the wild onion garlic that grows prolifically along the lane is now in full bloom.

Spring is also a time to remember my paternal great grandfather, Thomas Maxwell, who died on the Somme battlefields in the Spring Offensive 1918. He was part of the Royal Scots Lothian Regiment 17^th Battalion, and he is remembered at Pozieres Memorial near the charming town of Arras which I visited recently. Like so many women at that time, my great grandmother, Annie, was left to raise their son and daughter on her own.

The little girl is my granny, and she went on to become Jeannie Graham. I am often asked about my author’s name Annie Graham so now you know. The arum lilies that grow wild across the terraces are for them.

Marketing Louisa’s Lament continues with the book bloggers, a very necessary vehicle these days, and the drafting and design work for the poster exhibition of the story is now in train. And the new book? I’m reading the literature on sociopaths and whistleblowers, and research fraud. It’s a great way to put off the real work so it’s nearly time to stop and start writing again. But I’ll go for a walk around the garden and down to the beach first…

See you next month for a view of the roses as they start to open in a festival of glorious colour and fragrance.