It has been an extremely busy weekend with four book events in three days, juggled surprisingly well with hectic family life and celebrations.  However, I have to get better at taking photos during events…I always get pics of the setup but forget once the events get going. I become so engrossed in the fun, something I will have to fix!

Saturday 18th May

I started with a morning event in Waterstones, Dunfermline before heading across to Waterstones, Kirkcaldy in the afternoon. It’s always a pleasure to return and this time it was to read my latest picture book, The Fairy in the Kettle Gets Magical. As always there were fairy arts and crafts and, given things are getting magical, wand making had to be on the list. A huge thank you to everyone who came along, especially those who braved the rain in Kirkcaldy.

Then it was a quick drive down to Edinburgh for a family meal to celebrate my youngest finishing uni and to fill the boot of the car with as much as we could as she is also moving flats. Then we headed home only to unload the car and reload it again, as I prepared for my next (and much looked forward to) event the following morning…

Sunday 19th May 

We had a very early start as we headed southwest to Benmore Botanic Garden near Dunoon for their Open Day. I was delighted to be returning as visiting author for the third year running.  This is always a fun and magical event in beautiful surroundings and this year was no exception.  Settled in Puck’s Hut in the walled garden, I read my latest picture book to Leona fans from previous years as well as new fairy fans we met on the day. 

A huge thank you to my youngest, who joined me again this year and oversaw the arts and crafts while I read to the children in Puck’s Hut. She went walkabout before the event started and captured some amazing photos of the gardens…you will understand why I love the event so much when you see the pics!

It should be the rule that when you travel from Dunoon to Dunkeld after a busy event you stop at the Ardlui Hotel for dinner, right on the banks of Loch Lomond. A Delicious end to a lovely day.

Monday 20th May 

I had to step over the boxes from my daughter’s flat as they still sat in the utility room where they had been abandoned on Saturday night. All was worth it though, as my busy weekend ended with a trip to Springburn Library in Glasgow where I met Primary 1 pupils from Elmvale Primary School. It was an absolute pleasure to read them my latest picture book, The Fairy in the Kettle Gets Magical, and chat with them about our writing and the books we enjoy reading. Thank you so much for coming along.

Fabulous to see them all leave the library with a book to read too!