The launch party for Pam Barnett's book "The Spirit of Mathilde" took place at the very posh Penarth Yacht Club yesterday afternoon. The venue had been moved at the last minute from Chandlers Wine Bar, a little further down The Esplanade, where the upstairs function room had been closed after a water leak had brought down the ceiling. We are very grateful to the club for stepping into the breech at short notice and offer our commiserations to Chandlers, where we had a very nice lunch in the ground floor restaurant beforehand.

The launch was attended by many of Pam's friends whom she had not seen since moving to France three years ago, so the event doubled up as a very pleasant reunion for all concerned. Her husband Tony was unable to come over with her from France, but sent his best wishes in a phone message. Lots of books were sold, which we suspect will be finding their way into Christmas stockings.

Pam signing a book for a friend

Pam with her children, Claire and Bryan

The setting was fascinating: the launch, accompanied by a delicious buffet, was held in a modern and comfortable lounge complete with bar, overlooking the sea front. Other parts of the very large building, such as the billiards room, were reminiscent of the typical 'gentlemen's club' the yacht club must have been when it was set up in Victorian times. At the end of the 19th century a commodore of the club challenged for the Americas Cup, but unfortunately he was decisively beaten.

The exterior of the Penarth Yacht Club where the book launch was held

The polished plaque at the entrance

On the way home, we stayed at Weir Mill Farm bed and breakfast at Willand near Cullompton, where we had a warm welcome from Rita Parish and a very nice en suite bedroom with a view over their recently-landscaped garden and pool (of the pond rather than swimming variety!). Sadly we didn't have time to chat to their horses before we left in the morning for a family get-together in Devon.

Tuesday, 23rd November, 2004

We have just got back from the launch of "19 - Cuisine du terroir Correzienne" in Shanklin, Isle of Wight, where the author Malcolm Alder-Smith has lived for the past 50-odd years. Ironically he and his wife Diane moved permanently to France a couple of weeks ago and had to fly back with their son Ashley for the "do". It was held on Saturday, November 20 at The Bay House Hotel, opposite the block of flats where they had been based for the last year or two. We would like to thank Lawrence, David and Robert Hughes of The Bay House Hotel for their hospitality and the use of their excellent facilities.

In spite of awful weather (we had snow on the drive down followed by drizzle and thick mist across the Solent), the launch was well-attended and lots of guests snapped up copies of the cook book for themselves and for Christmas presents. Malcolm was particularly pleased to welcome one of his favourite teachers who had taught him as a catering student in the 1960s. After the official part of the event was over, a local singer provided entertainment in the hotel dining room and a convivial time was had by all.

Malcolm, Diane and Ashley celebrate the launch

A happy customer!

We stayed the night with Diane's sister and her husband, and spent the following day exploring the Isle of Wight - in quite a thick mist, it must be said! We had lived in Southampton when we were first married and felt guilty that we had never taken the opportunity in those days to venture over to "The Island".

On the way home we stayed at Slades Farm B&B at Charminster, near Dorchester in Dorset and had our Sunday evening meal at the The Sun Inn at Lower Burton and would heartily recommend both venues. Slades Farm has a selection of friendly animals and Anne just had to go to have a chat to their two donkeys...

Saturday, 13th November, 2004

We have been in Guildford today for the launch of Ken Wilbraham's book, "Beyond the Stile". The day got off to a good start for Ken when he received a specially made card from all the members of his Creative Writing Group which pleased him enormously. He had decided to hold the launch at his home, which fortunately had elastic walls, as he had tremendous support from family, friends and ex-colleagues coming from as far away as Switzerland.

As the book recounts his life up to the age of about 15 in Guilden Sutton, near Chester, several people travelled down from Cheshire. We were blessed with a wonderful day so people were able to spill out into the attractive garden - and those who couldn't wait to get the book home were able to sit in the sun with a glass of wine and start reading it or just enjoy the garden.

A special card for Ken from his Creative Writing Group

Sitting in the sun with a glass of wine and a good book!

Ken was kept busy for a couple of hours greeting his friends and family and signing books. There was a short pause in the signing whilst we formally launched the book with the usual speeches. Ken thanked all those who had helped him to bring the book to its launch, his wife Sue and children Claire and Tom for all the work they had put into the "nibbles" and then proposed a toast to absent family and friends who were featured in the book but sadly no longer with us.

Ken opens another congratulatory card

Signing copies of the book for the younger generation

Saturday, 18th October, 2004

We returned from nearly three months in France at the beginning of October, ready to plunge into the publication of three more books. Whilst we were there we organised an exhibition of old photos of the commune, dating between about 1890 and 1965, which was a tremendous success. The pictures were exhibited under various different categories including – the villages, on the farm, children, portraits, rural life, weddings and soldiers. We will be producing a book of the 180 photos (and the 40 more that we were given afterwards!) – for the villagers only – next year. The exhibition was featured on the France 3 TV regional news, which was a feather in our cap!

The launch dates of the next three books have now been finalised. They are: "Beyond the Stile" by Ken Wilbraham, at Guildford on Saturday, November 13; "19 - Cuisine du terroir Corrézienne" by Malcolm Alder-Smith at Shanklin, Isle of Wight on Saturday, November 20; and "The Spirit of Mathilde" by Pamela Barnett at Penarth on Friday, December 3.

Anne is currently busy printing the books, ready to take them to be collated and bound.