No trip to Bled would be complete without sampling the local sweet-toothed delicacy: Kremšnita or Bled Cream Cake. The name Kremšnita is a 'Slovenisation' of the German Cremeschnitte, so you will sometimes find it referred to as the more Slovenian-sounding Kremna Rezina. A cake by any other name would taste as sweet? You decide... History... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #23: Planica in Summer
Planica ski resort, in the North of Slovenia close to both the Italian and Austrian borders, is home to one of the highest ski jumping slopes in the world. The Ski Flying World Championships are held here every year, and many world records have been both set and broken here. The centre is worth visiting... Continue Reading →
The Land of Ex-girlfriends: #poetry #dVerse
I’ll wear my swishing, stunning skirt todaybecause todayI’m going to the land of ex-girlfriends: they wear their skin tan;their hair pinned to perfection;their nails manicured impeccably; I’m morelike a manmy appearance doesn’t own meI trythen I loose interest; miss a beatand they’ll be outthose ex-girlfriends from every corner of the street they'll comewanting my husband’s salaryand all the things I didn’t... Continue Reading →
Capitalisation Controversy
Dear Readers, As I write today, I feel like a dinosaur. I feel a little silly, and certainly a little antiquated. The reason? I recently entered a poetry competition, which incidentally I didn't win: no sour grapes here, just giving you some context. What concerned me were the judge's comments regarding the capitalisation of the... Continue Reading →
Reflections on a little ‘time for myself’
Well, today is the kids' first full day at school. And after a brutally early start (they had to be at the school gate at 08:30), I have to say that I am filled with excitement and trepidation. I'm excited for them both, starting new schools in a new country; and I worry about them... Continue Reading →
The Cunning Linguist – #dVerse #poetry
Linguistics is a sexy subjectAnyone who would disagree Should listen to this:LabialDentalPalatalFricativeLabio-velar GIt’s the science of how we speakSo it must have a little to doWith the things that make us tick:It’s easy you seeIt’s all doneWith a flickOf the tongue.I’m British so I’m afraid That’s about as sexy as it’s going to get:Now I’m off to... Continue Reading →
Slaying the Beast: #PMDD
This is a PMDD post. I write these from time to time, mainly to help other sufferers, and to raise awareness of the condition. Also out of sheer exhaustion and exasperation at trying to find some kind of treatment that works. What is PMDD? PMDD is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It is often described as 'a... Continue Reading →
Return to School – #Haibun
My children return to school tomorrow. Or rather, start their new schools in a new land. Since they last attended, there’s been worldwide pandemic, a 3-day relocation, a new country and a new language to get to grips with. My youngest should do just fine: he’s so used to hearing different languages they merge into... Continue Reading →
Facing my fears whilst hiking – #dVerse #Haibun
I was afraid to start the walk. It was rated: 'very difficult marked trail.' I'd only done 'easy marked trail' up to now. From the valley floor, the sheer rock face above looked inaccessible to the humble hiker. I've never been a climber as I'm much too afraid of heights. But this was something I... Continue Reading →
EIF Poetry Challenge #4: The Results
This fortnight's challenge, to write an Elegy, produced some truly moving and heart-wrenching responses, as you might expect given the nature of the Elegy itself. My thanks and congratulations to those who entered; I was moved by your words and impressed by how powerfully you used your response to grief to create art which I... Continue Reading →