I am very proud of my cousin, Helena Attlee, author
of The Land Where Lemons Grow. She's my second cousin, which means that her grandfather and my grandmother were brother and sister.
I loved my granny. She sat in the corner of my childhood sitting room, smoked Woodbines, read Jane Austen (which she pronounced 'Orstin') and knitted extraordinarily complicated Fairisle jumpers, doing these three things simultaneously. Smoking was banned in the 80s in our house, but I still relish the smell of cigarette smoke in wool, and the clickety click of knitting needles.
The first time I became properly aware of Helena was when she gave me my first rabbit, Percy. He was brought up from Kent in a red travelling cage. Although he didn't smell of smoke or wool, I loved Percy too, and he went on to father 21 baby rabbits with Peter, my brother David's rabbit. This proliferation was due to the happy inability of the vet to tell that Peter was, in fact, Peta.
I learnt through tending my rabbits that love can grow to fit the number of rabbits you are blessed with, and that each death is an enduring sorrow.
Helena will be leading a creative writing workshop inspired by the gardens of Aberglasney on Saturday 26 July 2014. You should go if you can.
I can't remember why Helena gave me Percy, but if you go along to this workshop, you'll spend the day exploring the different atmospheres of Aberglasney's unique gardens with Helena and creative writing tutor Emma Beynon. It'll be quirky and imaginative, and they'll use extracts from Aberglasney's rich literary heritage to inspire writing and develop your understanding of the garden.
I expect your creative ideas will breed uncontrollably.
Here are the details:
The workshop runs from 10.30 – 5.00 pm costs £60, to include tea and coffee, but please bring a packed lunch.
Or contact Helena: 01544 260592 or Emma: 07722 170 782
Email: contactopenground@gmail.com
Twitter: @WriteOpenGround
That made me feel very smiley on a non-smiley day.
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