The world from my window

I've been rather tardy of late and haven't blogged for several weeks. My apologies - things have been pretty busy in Maddie's World, with a new weekly column of that name just about to be launched in The People's Friend magazine (hoorah!), which I'll be posting regularly on this blog once it's published, and other close encounters of the writing kind. I'll be bringing you updates from Lush Places and the wider world as soon as I can.  In the meantime, here's a link to The Lady Shed , a writing project I'm working on with two friends. Each week, one of us writes about a subject which grabs us. Every four weeks we all write about the same thing. The latest posts are all about the National Health Service. This Friday, I'll be in the shed on my own, talking about sibling rivalry, as it's my brother's birthday tomorrow - Lady Day, ha, ha. The only boy in a family of girls, he is known as Golden Balls by Mr Grigg. I've never quite g

It had to happen. It seems there's  trouble in Fairyland. This magical spot, about which I've written before but have never named, is in danger of being overrun by fairy doors. They started off tastefully. Some were elaborate. Some were birthday presents. Then little things began appearing behind the doors, along with notes from visitors. Excited children darted around, looking down at the base of the trees. Soon, word spread far and wide that this was an enchanted wood. People came from miles around, some of them adding new doors. But now, the trustees of the wood say it's getting out of hand. They're concerned about the effect screwing the doors has on the trees. And they're worried the emerging bluebells are being trampled by eager little feet tearing around the woodland and straying off the path. So, rapid development and doors out of keeping with this very special place are being deterred.  I hope this coincides with t