The R-Word

My pen hovers over the page. I write three words, then rub them out. How to begin? Is there a better way of writing ‘today is the first day of the rest of my life?’ It’s such a clichéd phrase, not at all ‘grabby’ but it’s true, fifty-five years of working for a living has come to an end and I’m staring the R-Word in the eye. I refuse to call it by its full name. Maybe I’ll refer to it as Re-invent, I like that better or perhaps Regain or Re-write. (I know I’ll be doing a lot of that as I write my novels). I like the French word for it best, Retraite which can also mean to retreat or withdraw, it’s a much nicer word than that English one I refuse to use.

I might be looking the R word in the eye, but I’m determined it’s not going to define me.

I will spend much of the R-Word time writing about my passions and through Substack, this website and social media you will be able to keep updated on my work but here is a quick overview of what’s coming or is already here:

The Wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon

This book was published a few years ago and quickly sold out. The information it holds is still current, but there are a few new developments and as they occur I will be logging them in the Languedoc Updates page of my new website.

 If you already have a copy of the book the Updates page will be useful and as I’ve just done a re-print you can now buy the book from my website too. Buy Now

The French Bed

I got the idea for my debut novel when I bought an antique bed and wondered about the lives of the people who’d slept in it before me. As well as immersing you in undiscovered Languedoc, this romance-mystery spans the 1920’s and WWII Paris as well as modern times in Oxford. Naturally I’ve included characters that love wine..! The novel will be published later this year and through my journal on this website and on Substack I’ll let you know when it’s available to buy.

I hope you will enjoy following along with me as I dive into the R-Word and have more time to discover France especially its wines ..!