Notes from the weekend...

Karen Tayleur, Corinne King and Bernadette Kelly

While many people spent this long weekend (in Victoria) sweating over what to wear to the Melbourne Cup or camping, or gardening, I travelled to a peaceful country home to spend the weekend writing, sharing and laughing with dear friends.

Today I've been working my way through my 'things to follow-up' list - emailing links, investigating booksellers, making phone calls, updating files, tweaking manuscripts and grinning at jokes that drift back at unexpected moments.

So many things were confirmed, learnt and shared over such a short space of time.

•  Hummingbird cake tastes even better when shared with friends.
• My friends' generosity has no limits.
• Eugene, mooching and moths had to go.
• Wood heaters are particularly effective.
• Book launches are important.
• Talking helps ease pain and burdens.
• Feedback is invaluable.
• Dongles are...well, just dongles!
•  Each of us approaches our craft in unique ways.
• Friends are truly life's treasures.
• Hearing about and looking at pictures of African horse-riding safaris and Australian 4wd holidays has given me itchy feet.
• Always wear shoes if trekking in the dark to an outside toilet. (Snails don't squish, they scrunch and slime under your foot! Perhaps that is the real reason for my itchy feet!)
• Four laptops charging at once doesn't cause a power grid meltdown.
• And - I can't wait for our next weekend away!

Pan's Whisper and my 'welcome Pan' gift.

Writing Spaces

I've been thinking about writing spaces this morning, prompted by two posts by friends. Karen Tayleur wrote about claustrophobia and the need for a view (quoted the brilliant Police, so it's all good) another friend, Michael Gerard Bauer posted a picture of his old writing space. So what makes a great space for me?
I'd so love a Kiki K office, but as hard as I try, my desk always ends up covered in bits and pieces.
Photos, notes, Snoopy, Collingwood stuff, including the last remaining patch from my old duffle coat (Mum burnt it, thanks for asking. I'd rather not discuss it.), CDs, cartoons, notes from my daughter and cards. Yep, it's a mess, but everything on and around it is important.
Every time I finish a project, I clear the decks and redo the noticeboards and desk, but in no time, it's cluttered again. Chaos right? Not at all! I can lay my hand on everything that I need and look out if anyone moves anything or adds to my debris - it's ordered chaos.
As for windows, I have a view onto olive trees, a peppercorn and the rooftop of a national trust building, plus and expanse of sky. If I stand up, it's not so attractive - neighbour's Hills Hoist!
I guess the key to it is to create a space that works for you.

Can you spot the patch from my old duffle coat?