Author | Writer | Photographer
simonwhaley 
If you’ve been following my Twitter account you’ll have seen I’ve been in the Lake District for a few days.
It’s been a changeable week, weatherwise, which has meant the lighting has been wonderful. After rain for most of the day yesterday, I nipped out to Tarn Hows, near Hawkshead Hill, just as the sun came out.
The royalty statements are in, and I can’t believe the sales figures keep growing. Thank you to everyone who bought a copy … all 271,833 of you!
My feature on Hereford appeared in The People’s Friend’s issue dated 28th September 2019. When Alex, the Features Editor, commissioned me to write it I jumped at the chance, even though the city is only 40 miles from where I live, and it’s a place where I’ve worked from time to time (both Herefordshire Council, and the Diocese of Hereford have offices there).
I’ve been on dog-sitting duties this week, looking after Betsy, the Welsh Spring Spaniel. After escaping this office this afternoon, we headed off for a wander around Ludlow’s River Teme and Whitcliffe Common. The skies were blue, the sun was shining, so I snapped a photo …
I’ve been busy, recently, being interviewed by the lovely Anita Loughrey, for her Research Secrets column in Writers’ Forum magazine. It’s a fascinating column where she asks writers and authors to share their research tips.
Every writer has their own way of doing things and it’s always fascinating to know the little tips and shortcuts that other writers use. I just hope this month’s readers find my tips useful!
This week’s issue of The People’s Friend has my Elan Valley travel piece as the front cover image. If you’ve never been to the area before, I hope it whets your appetite – or should I say ‘wets’ your appetite 🙂
As is always the case, when you go off and explore an area you can never include everything in the finished article, so here are some photos that didn’t make it into the published feature.
Been a while since I climbed Ragleth Hill, and the weather today was just perfect for it. What frustrates me about the photo is the amount of bird poo on …
I spent the day working in Shrewsbury Library today … but nipped out lunchtime for a bit of fresh air. Shefali seemed pleased I did 🙂
Last Monday, I came out of a meeting with the Dean of Hereford Cathedral, and was greeted by a gorgeous view of the Cathedral Cloisters under a blue sky with cottonwool clouds.
The viewpoint image in this month’s Outdoor Photography magazine (July 2019 issue) was taken from Burway Hill, overlooking Caer Caradoc, The Lawley and The Wrekin.
In the accompanying text, I recommend parking in Carding Mill Valley and then picking up the Burway lane, which climbs up onto the Long Mynd.