Semi-retirement, racing across the world and National Crime Reading month

How I intend to spend my time and it's not how you think

The new book shelves in my writing room

Hello and welcome.

This week, I cut back to working three days a week, and am luxuriating in that extra day of being able to sit behind my desk and be in my happy place. Rather than say that I work part-time, I prefer to use the phrase, semi-retired. I see it as a way of easing me gently into being fully retired. One day. But I have plans.

There are few places where I feel more content than in my writing room. Once a spare bedroom, I transformed it into a writing room, complete with a desk, a filing cabinet, and a sofa on which to read my many books. What is life without books? Mine would be shallow and bereft. There is nothing more enjoyable than getting lost in a good book. Recently, I added some book shelves (which were lovingly made by my daughter, so are extra special) and a wall of books has added much more depth to the room, and I feel even more at home here than ever before. It is my safe and happy place. If you look very carefully, on the left of the photo, you can just see the handlebars of my exercise bike.

As well as a place to house my books (there are more elsewhere…), it is also a great place to showcase photographs, old Mother’s Day cards sent from my daughter (I’m very sentimental), candles and bits and bobs that were cluttering up my desk. I need neatness and order in my life to be able to function properly, and I felt that my desk was closing in on me. Thus the shelves! Now, I feel an oasis of calm wash over me each time I enter this lovely space.

Keeping supple and bendy

As I have aged, I have noticed that my body is a little stiff at times, much like an old creaking gate. I read somewhere that if you can get up off the floor from a prone position without using your hands, it helps to build strength and mobility. Every morning, I come into my oasis, play some calming Buddha music, roll out my yoga mat and do some gentle stretching exercises. Nothing too fancy, just enough to ease out the night’s sleep and get me feeling supple again. Mentally, it helps too, and it sets me up for the busy day ahead.

Once I have finished arching and lowering my back a few times, doing the windscreen wiper movement with my knees, pulling up my knees to my chest and rolling gently on my back, I get up from lying down without using my hands. Each time I do it, I feel a sense of achievement and can feel the difference. When I started a few months ago, it was difficult. Now, I spring up like a well-oiled gate! No more creaking, just smooth, fluid movements, and then I either do a ten-minute workout with Lucy Wyndham-Read or jump on my exercise bike while listening to an audiobook.

Racing across the world

No, not me! The last leg of the fifth series of Race Across the World is this Wednesday on BBC 1. It is fascinating how, at the beginning of the programme, we are introduced to the competitors and gradually, as the game unfolds, we watch as they try to navigate their way through a 14,000 km race starting from the Great Wall of China, passing through Nepal and finishing at Kanyakumari on the southern tip of India, we watch their characters shine through.

No flights, no phones - and one high-stakes, low-budget race to the finish. On a globe-spanning adventure of a lifetime, which pair will cross the line first?

There are two brothers, Brian & Melvyn, two sisters, Elizabeth & Letitia, a mother and son team, Caroline & Tom, and a young couple, Fin & Sioned, who are both just nineteen. There was another couple, Gaz & Yin, who had been married but were participating as friends, but sadly, they were eliminated earlier in the race as they fell so far behind.

I feel as though I know each of the contestants individually as they speak to camera and I have enjoyed watching their relationships develop throughout the series. They each react differently to certain situations, as one would expect, and it’s great to see how the other half of the partnership usually steps up to the plate to help and support them. One thing is certain, all of the teams have excelled themselves and faced the challenge of travelling without flying or the use of mobile phones, head-on. Along the way, they have strengthened their relationships in a way that I don’t think any of them thought possible, and it’s heartwarming to see.

As well as seeing some beautiful parts of the world, from the comfort of our armchairs at home, we get an insight into how relationships can flourish or flounder when they are put under pressure. It is a brilliant concept for a television programme and I thoroughly enjoy settling down to watch it as each contestant battles the elements, their inner demons and the challenges of finding their way to the checkpoints in their bid to win the race.

My money is on the mother and son team, Caroline and Tom, to win, but honestly, I think they all deserve to win and are all winners in my mind.

National Crime Reading Month

June is National Crime Reading month and here’s what the Crime Writers’ Association, in partnership with the Reading Agency, has to say:

This year the campaign is focusing on local events throughout the UK and Ireland, particularly working with independent booksellers and libraries. So our official launch will be at Bodies in the Bookshop in Cambridge on 31 May, followed by an online launch and another event at Capital Crime in London later in June. The Reading Agency will be publicising the campaign through their extensive network of libraries and the CWA will promote through the national press and social media from the spring.

Promoting other writers (not necessarily crime writers!)

There are so many brilliant writers here on Substack, one of whom is

Mark Diacono

, whose writing is like wrapping a warm, soft blanket around you as he draws you in with his velvety smooth storytelling. Check him out; he’s brilliant.

Wendy Varley

’s Substack is another one, with Wendy’s World, along with

Gaynor Roberts

’ The Chilterns Diaries. Both are well worth subscribing to, as is

prue batten

’s Knots in the String. I learn something new from all of them each time I read their work.

Another author I came across on Instagram (@gdwrightwrites) was G D Wright, who has been facing some health challenges and was unable to promote his most recent book, Into the Fire. I have received my copy and am hooked. I was so heartened to read that the writing community have rallied round, sending the book to the No. 1 bestseller slot on Amazon, which is brilliant news! Even better news is that I saw a post from him on Instagram today to say that he is going to be released from hospital tomorrow and will be going home! Go, Gary, and I wish you all the very best.

How I intend to spend my ‘extra’ time

Yes, there will be writing involved, but I have read so many articles by writers saying that if they sit in a busy coffee shop or similar place, their creative juices flow much more easily. I have therefore decided that rather than lock myself away in my room all the time, I am going to start venturing out with my laptop and find some cool places to write. I might even treat myself to some lunch and will definitely enjoy a fresh coffee or two. After all, I think I deserve it, having worked for over 45 years and still enjoying it.

I will also make time for family and friends. Easing my foot off the gas pedal feels good, and the split of a three-day working week and a four-day break feels right.

I appreciate everybody who stops by to read my work. If you can upgrade to being a paid subscriber, it would mean the world to me. If not, being a free subscriber is fine. Either way, I appreciate you being here, whichever side of the wall you are on.

I hope you have a great week, wherever you are in the world, and please leave a comment or click the heart if you enjoyed this post.

Take care,