The day has come and passed.... after four long years of research, on Tuesday 27th August 2024, I finally submitted my doctoral thesis for examination! A strangely emotional moment in which I felt both thrilled to have 'completed' it yet bereft of the pleasure which working on it every day - and for long hours each day over the summer - had given me. It was also a moment to reflect on the changes in my life that have happened since I started out on the journey in the midst of a Covid lockdown - and the online @hayfestival - in 2020. The next step is, hopefully, a successful viva but that is still some way off and, in the meantime, I have found myself with so much extra time on my hands that I have finally been able to complete some long awaited work in our extensive grounds!
The long-waited for stone circle is still not, alas, ready for use but that is partly because of the wild nature of the land surrounding it: a combination of tremendous summer growth and some very wet soil, from the rainfall we had in June and July especially, have meant that it is on hold until we can get a mini-digger up there to sort things out. But elsewhere there have been developments.
The greenhouse which we inherited and which has sat idle for two years, since we arrived here in 2022, has finally had a clean (pane by pane) and the area around it will be cleared and improved ahead of our September tutored writing retreat. The old terrace, which was unloved and disintegrating for many years, is now refurbished with walls, floor and planting all repaired and refreshed. It even has its own newly purchased stone statue in attendance, looking over and protecting anyone who visits to enjoy the view, have a relaxing drink, or even to write and reflect. Meanwhile the grass lawns are looking good and the various borders and shrubs around the lower terraces have all been maintained to show off their wealth of natural beauty. On the upper garden, which visitors will know has stunning views across the Dee Valley, we now have a new pair of love seats (of a kind) with a particularly calm and relaxing aspect and, again, views of the valley below and Caer Drewyn beyond the river.
It's not only the exterior that has been developed this summer: Wendy has been working with her housekeeping team to make our rooms more eco-friendly, without reducing the guest experience. Our new super-size round dining table can now cater for up to twelve writers or readers at one time too, with everyone able to see and interact with everyone else with ease. In the bar we now stock Wrexham Lager alongside our other beers: a nod to our nearest professional football club and their superstar owners! Incidentally, we were delighted to welcome a friend of Phil Parkinson's for a stay earlier this month: a former pro footballer himself, our guest and his partner were delighted with Bron Y Graig - and he shared some brilliant stories from his playing career too.
Finally, as autumn approaches, we have been working hard to develop our programme of retreats here at A Place to Write and, in an exciting development, we are now virtually sold out for our November 'Shakespeare's Tragedies' retreat. Watch this space - and our facebook page - for details of, among other things, two 'Step into Christmas' retreats in December (one is Victorian themed with a Dickens feature) and our spring 2024 programme. What's more - if you have already been our guest on a retreat in 2023 or 2024, we will soon be sending you details of a very special offer to entice you back to join us for one of our future retreats and celebrate the success we have had so far - and the ambitious plans we have for the future - here at A Place to Write.
And so, after four years of research, and the realisation that I have learned and uncovered so much about Shakespeare and Candlelight in that time, I am now looking forward to the next steps in both my personal career and our retreat business. A Book, TV series, Film and Documentary are all in the frame - and here's hoping that many more successful retreats are also on the horizon. As always, don't hesitate to email us via info@aplacetowrite.co.uk if you have any questions about our programme of retreats or our venue in general, or any special requests connected with either. We're always here!
P.S. We still have two attic room places available on our September tutored writing retreat starting on Sunday 8th September: click on the image below or call or email to book one or both!
What a lovely place. I can't wait for my first ever writing retreat with you in March. It looks like an idyllic place to escape for reflection and creativity. Excited and nervous! Roll on spring 2025.