A writing retreat in York

This weekend, I have taken myself off to the beautiful city of York, for a writing retreat. It has been a while, ladies and gents – boy, how I have missed these weekends. It does coincide with an RNA (Romantic Novelists’ Association) Afternoon Tea event which I booked a year ago, so thought I’d take full advantage and make a weekend of it. 

I packed Teddy, my dog, off on his holidays and waved goodbye to The Midlands for three days. I arrived at a gorgeous hotel, for a three o’clock check-in. My room was stunning, exceptional in every way – you know when you get a tiled ballroom for a bathroom – yeah that!

My first stop was York Minster. The sheer scale of this building, let alone its intricate masonry, makes me catch my breath. York was the last city I visited with my dad, twenty years ago, so it holds a special place in my memory. We sat in the tiny café, opposite York Minster, for a cuppa before driving home. In my mind, that’s where we’ll always be!  

My next stop was the library. Name an author who can visit a city and not nip to the library? The décor and design of the foyer is simply elegance personified but when I checked their shelving under the letter ‘G’ - my heart sang! Thank you, thank you, thank you, York Library! You have made my day! 

Saturday 13th September: firstly, it is Roald Dahl day – I can’t not acknowledge the joy and beauty he brought to my childhood and millions of other children with his fabulous tales. My favourite two are ‘Charlie and the Chocolate factory’ and ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’. I’ve regularly used the image of his writing shed in my English classes.  

Secondly, I enjoyed a morning of writing in the Garden room - where I managed to conquer the ending for a chapter that keeps bugging my brain. I’d danced about with the detail for long enough and finally, nailed what I wanted to portray. 

Afterwards, I attended an ‘Afternoon Tea’ organised by the wonderful Lynda Stacey and Jane Lovering at The Milner York hotel. A glorious event which brought together fabulous authors, from across all genres, for an afternoon filled with delightful chatter and laughter. It was great to see so many faces that I hadn’t seen for a number of years, some for as long as eight years ago!

​And finally, I took a ghost tour bus around the city and listened to the enchanting tales delivered in the best possible way by an undertaker!

More to follow ...