Bon Voyage

I have packed my bags and I am ready to go!

This Christmas will find my family and I cruising the Mediterranean. Starting in Barcelona and then stopping in Tangier, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Malaga and then back to Barcelona. It is my first cruise and I literally cannot wait. We are going on the Norwegian Epic which really is "Epic".

This therefore will be my last blog of 2015 and I will return in the New Year refreshed rejuvenated and hopefully with a half decent tan. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you all for reading my blog and to everybody for their continued support. I have lots of projects in mind for 2016 and I am looking forward to returning to my Creative Writing Class in January. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and an amazing New Year. Eat, drink and be merry. Bon voyage.

Now turning to my writing. Well it’s official.  I am now a published poet!

The competition which I entered a while ago have written to me today to confirm they have selected my poem to publish in their next compilation of poetry.  So although I didn’t win the competition (or the £25.00 prize money) I do get to see my work published.

I have also already submitted my next piece, titled “By the Sea”. United Press offer free writing competitions and also the chance to get your work published. Their primary objective is to increase people’s interest in poetry and encourage more people to take up poetry and creative writing and use United Press as a stepping stone to go on to bigger and better things.

We have been actively encouraged on our Creative Writing course to enter as many writing competitions as we can.  When submitting work to publishers or applying for a writing position  etc. it is always advantageous to be able to show on your ‘Writing CV’ that you have already had your work published.

You can find further information about past, present and future competitions run by United Press at http://www.unitedpress.co.uk/

Anyway the theme was Spring and here is my contribution.

Spring Has Begun

As the tyranny of winter takes its last breath

And the air becomes fresh, pure and new

The queen of the seasons is upon us

Bringing with it the sweet smell of dew.

The trees and plants prepare for rebirth

Budding blooms raise their sleepy heads

The hustle and bustle of the bumble bees

Begin their tireless work on flowerbeds.

The cold hard ground now a carpet of green

Daisies dotted like a sprinkle of flakes

Fluffy white clouds, clear blue skies

Returning to us what the winter takes.

The enchanting scent of the fresh new rose

Reaching and lifting in the warmth of the sun

High on the hills, deep in the meadows

Greeting us, meeting us swaying with fun.

Butterflies fluttering their delicate wings

Gloriously glistening to dazzle and stun

The warmth the laughter, the happy ever after

That winter is over and spring has begun.