Crikey, its months since I last wrote my Blog and so much has happened. First let me bring you up to date on my latest books. er..yes books!
I have just about finished 'Once they were Eagles' a story about the Battle of Britain, to be published before September...hopefully after the editor has finished eating up my pages...however
The next book, 'The Surgeon' will shortly follow before Xmas....
Now then, this month has been great weather in England......Ah! I hear you say...typical English...But no I am so used to the heat of Marxuquera and Valencia. There I was sitting in the sun at the International Air Day at Fairford in Glos.was far easier than I expected,.31 degrees...not bad...cool dude, cool shirt, on my bike a lot of time keepingcool in the beer tent.
Now let me tell you about Kempsford camping...Easily the best camp site in the south of England....on the edge of the American air base....no need to go into the base just sit having a beer and the jets fly over you...In the evening live music., I mean Live music. Rock, the lot (A lot of the campers were a little older than the norm!
I took my new tent, cooked breakfast only all the rest of our meals were in the RED LION (where the land lady is one of natures treasures...she should have a peerage. In 2008 we were flooded out and she saw to that we ate breakfast opening her pub to 28 of us...at 6 am in the morning...flooded out of the 'Last Chance' campsite where I resolved never to go again...and I tell anyone who listens, exactly why.
At my age I still prefer camping even though I had a great caravan and I am actively considering buying a camper van. I understand why some of the richest men on the planet go out into the desert with their tent (albeit a large tent forgoing every,,,Well nearly every luxury..don't you jus' love em!
So after that heart stopping excitement what's in store? Certainly a holiday in the Isle of Man where I haven't been since around 1967-68.....taking my car this time rather than hiring one....A week in Amsterdam proved a success....a weekend cycling in Cornwall...Ah..I must tell you about one of the best hotels in Wadebridge.. Cornwall, The Molesworth Hotel...an old Coaching Inn .handy for the cycle path to Padstow where you can call into Ricky Steins extravaganza...costly fish and chips...I like the bloke though ...made good.
Its not often (at my age) can you can have the privilege of meeting 15 of your old school mates. I went to Liverpool to meet them, and have a great meal in a posh hotel private room, drink a few beers together and talk about old times...Two of the guys came from Canada,,, Peter Crompton and Ted Chapman ( both Canadians) they play golf in a golf tournament called the Canada cup donated by Ted, every year they play for the cup....I tried the game when I lived in Spain,lots of expensive lessons,..bit cissy for me,,,but who am I to criticise. Each to their own.
I still like the mountains...though not climbing as I used to do....but I am here with a resolve to be here next year as well.
not edited...sorry!
Les Lunt
Les Lunt is the best selling author of Logan's Touch, The Ghosts of KG40, Unintended Consequences and his latest novel, A Hurricanes Tale. Find Les at - www.leslunt.com
Monday, August 05, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Imagine...a boat, full of birdwatchers, all seeking the elusive Avocet. No-one was disappointed. From Topsham on a small ferry, (no cover, open to the weather) but every kind of bird promised on the crib sheet. Avocets by the dozen, both feeding or in flight. Other waders by the hundred. Swarms of Brent geese, Curlews Godwits Lapwings,Greenshanks and Redshanks, and the lovely Dunlin.
The cry of the Oyster catcher, Sanderling Wigeons, and rumours, though not seen, a Kingfisher.
A swift pint of Doombar and the journey home, frozen to the marrow, necessitationg in a hot bath.
The weather is too cold to cycle and my knee is playing up so walking is difficult....the bike seems to be the answer.
Two ducks I must mention, the Red-breasted Merganser...(only saw a male) and lots of Shelducks...
I think back to my house in Spain when at certain time of the year, the garden would have a dozen or so Egrets. (Not the Little Egret as seen in the UK). One late autumn we were entertained by hunderds (truly with no exaggeration) of Swallows. In my garage we entertained three pairs of Swallows where every spring they came from Africa.
I like to believe they were saying 'thank you.' They gave a wonderful disp[aly (viewed fro the terrace, then after a good twenty minutes, they flew off.... not to return until the following Spring.
The cry of the Oyster catcher, Sanderling Wigeons, and rumours, though not seen, a Kingfisher.
A swift pint of Doombar and the journey home, frozen to the marrow, necessitationg in a hot bath.
The weather is too cold to cycle and my knee is playing up so walking is difficult....the bike seems to be the answer.
Two ducks I must mention, the Red-breasted Merganser...(only saw a male) and lots of Shelducks...
I think back to my house in Spain when at certain time of the year, the garden would have a dozen or so Egrets. (Not the Little Egret as seen in the UK). One late autumn we were entertained by hunderds (truly with no exaggeration) of Swallows. In my garage we entertained three pairs of Swallows where every spring they came from Africa.
I like to believe they were saying 'thank you.' They gave a wonderful disp[aly (viewed fro the terrace, then after a good twenty minutes, they flew off.... not to return until the following Spring.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
A BIRTHDAY 15 NOVEMBER....
So, post dentist...aw shucks it was nuthin'...only pain as we used to say in the Marines. Anyway, as usual I planted a mistake in the blog to see who would see it. 14 people spotted it, two of whom came from Devon. The name of the Montgomery Hotel used to be The Dolphin....
And so to the town meeting of some of the candidates for Police Commissioner. We in Devon vote tomorrow. So 15th November will be a great day for some...like some 65 year olds, who I am sure don't look their age...rather like me....yes, I belie my age after living a life of frugality, hardship..(pass the bucket) but wait, I haven't finished. Of careful dieting, like Chinese and Indian ta....Okay leave it at that.....and yes I have put on weight.....er...
Back to why I went to hear the candidates. Only one stuck out for me and he was Independent.......the Labour candidate ticked all the boxes, she was bright and clearly had the gumption to be a commissioner.
Christmas....do you quake with fear when you hear this word...In all my years I have never spent Christmas with my grandchildren. It isn't that I am persona non grata, I can see them whenever I like, in Southport or Hungerford,but not at Christmas...any other time yes..but Xmas is reserved for my ex..or the 'other' grandparents ...As someone so very dear to me once said...It's not fair.' Words forever burned into my conciousness....If only I could make amends...if only.
I could go to see the bankers in Jersey of course....or I could travel...I guess you could put that down to the gypsy in me, or rather as my DNA tells us, we are Immigrants from a district in Norway where the vikings built their little ships....Viking...yes..its odd isn't it, lots of people who hail from Liverpool have in their DNA, a little string which under the microscope spells out the word. SCOUSE and when archaeologists examined Viking ships they discovered an old Norse word...yes, you've guessed it.....scouse.
LES LUNT.COM
And so to the town meeting of some of the candidates for Police Commissioner. We in Devon vote tomorrow. So 15th November will be a great day for some...like some 65 year olds, who I am sure don't look their age...rather like me....yes, I belie my age after living a life of frugality, hardship..(pass the bucket) but wait, I haven't finished. Of careful dieting, like Chinese and Indian ta....Okay leave it at that.....and yes I have put on weight.....er...
Back to why I went to hear the candidates. Only one stuck out for me and he was Independent.......the Labour candidate ticked all the boxes, she was bright and clearly had the gumption to be a commissioner.
Christmas....do you quake with fear when you hear this word...In all my years I have never spent Christmas with my grandchildren. It isn't that I am persona non grata, I can see them whenever I like, in Southport or Hungerford,but not at Christmas...any other time yes..but Xmas is reserved for my ex..or the 'other' grandparents ...As someone so very dear to me once said...It's not fair.' Words forever burned into my conciousness....If only I could make amends...if only.
I could go to see the bankers in Jersey of course....or I could travel...I guess you could put that down to the gypsy in me, or rather as my DNA tells us, we are Immigrants from a district in Norway where the vikings built their little ships....Viking...yes..its odd isn't it, lots of people who hail from Liverpool have in their DNA, a little string which under the microscope spells out the word. SCOUSE and when archaeologists examined Viking ships they discovered an old Norse word...yes, you've guessed it.....scouse.
LES LUNT.COM
November 15 is just more than a birthday...(tongue in cheek!
It's not a good day today...why should it be? Well, for one thing I am off to the dentist...thankfully not for an extraction, just a bit of repair work. Tomorrow is an important day...not just a special birthday for someone...but a vote for Police Commissioner....Now I am not too sure about this. If the job goes to an ex-policeman...all well and good. I don't like the idea of either Tory or Labour..(perhaps even worse a Lib-Dem) running the cop shop. And the cost? Why not appoint more police officers? This crazy idea must have come from the brain of someone who thought people like George W were the bees knees. Did it emerge from the brain of Tony Blair while taking prayers with George W? As my mum would have said..it's crackers.
Enough. Two books on the stocks now of equal length and are likely to go to editing together. The Battle of Britain....(there is more to this title but I shall for the present leave it at that, and my favourite book so far: The Surgeon....this is my best so far...what can I tell you about it without giving the rival camp an idea? Okay.....To begin with the term surgeon is somewhat of an oxymoron..he's a consultant cardiologist who believes heart disease can be beaten without cutting, in other words, surgery. A well trodden pathway in the USA with surgeons like Dr Dean Ornish in San Francisco, this brilliant young surgeon/ doctor has written several books on the treatment of cardiac disease by careful diet and complete change of life-style. Others in the USA tread the same path, Dr Glen Goldberg of Seattle, Lester Morrison, and Dr Walther Kempner speculated that coronary heart disease could be reversed by low-fat diet.
But I have given too much away, save to say that Dr Marc d'Angelo discovers he has a sister; long ago adopted away by his mother when she was a student at The Slade. His mother ( a widow) meets her ex lover who now lives in the USA. Is she sure it's him? One word passes between them, a word known only to them that expresses their love....
It doesn't end there, and what of Katy, the 'child' adopted away? Where does she come into this tale of long lost love, a new found sister, and a surprizing end.
I point out that the town in the book is Honiton, my adopted town...where I drink coffee at Cafe Bar 102 with mates, and where I struggle weekly in the council (as a councillor) trying to understand the modalities of modern politics....The Council, I swiftly point out does not enter the pages of my book.
So there we have it. A week where I expect to hear from Leicester, a town I love but have not darkened its streets for many years....as I said, my pal is an archaelogist at the Uni....Richard 111 lies
in State under a sheet awaiting an identity. everyone is speculatling, it's him I am sure...
I mentioned in my tweet about a trip to Penrith where there is pub that Richard (as a young prince) stayed. I was shown his room, now partly derelict, a bed headboard certainly dating from the period, and artifacts that set my heart a buzzin' This was Richard's house, no doubt in my mind.
Lastly, having a beer in the Montgomery Hotel in Honiton I learned two facts.The Montgomery was once The Pelican Inn....where in 1944 General Montgomery and Dwight D Eisenhower stayed overnight due to bad weather conditions on their way down to the south coast beaches.
And, Henry V111 was kept waiting for his future Spanish wife, expected at Southampton, a storm intervened and she ended up in Plymouth (Guzz) of all places. Katherine of Aragon arrived late...who can blame her. She stayed the night in Honiton, and continued on to London and into the history books.
LESLUNT.COM
Enough. Two books on the stocks now of equal length and are likely to go to editing together. The Battle of Britain....(there is more to this title but I shall for the present leave it at that, and my favourite book so far: The Surgeon....this is my best so far...what can I tell you about it without giving the rival camp an idea? Okay.....To begin with the term surgeon is somewhat of an oxymoron..he's a consultant cardiologist who believes heart disease can be beaten without cutting, in other words, surgery. A well trodden pathway in the USA with surgeons like Dr Dean Ornish in San Francisco, this brilliant young surgeon/ doctor has written several books on the treatment of cardiac disease by careful diet and complete change of life-style. Others in the USA tread the same path, Dr Glen Goldberg of Seattle, Lester Morrison, and Dr Walther Kempner speculated that coronary heart disease could be reversed by low-fat diet.
But I have given too much away, save to say that Dr Marc d'Angelo discovers he has a sister; long ago adopted away by his mother when she was a student at The Slade. His mother ( a widow) meets her ex lover who now lives in the USA. Is she sure it's him? One word passes between them, a word known only to them that expresses their love....
It doesn't end there, and what of Katy, the 'child' adopted away? Where does she come into this tale of long lost love, a new found sister, and a surprizing end.
I point out that the town in the book is Honiton, my adopted town...where I drink coffee at Cafe Bar 102 with mates, and where I struggle weekly in the council (as a councillor) trying to understand the modalities of modern politics....The Council, I swiftly point out does not enter the pages of my book.
So there we have it. A week where I expect to hear from Leicester, a town I love but have not darkened its streets for many years....as I said, my pal is an archaelogist at the Uni....Richard 111 lies
in State under a sheet awaiting an identity. everyone is speculatling, it's him I am sure...
I mentioned in my tweet about a trip to Penrith where there is pub that Richard (as a young prince) stayed. I was shown his room, now partly derelict, a bed headboard certainly dating from the period, and artifacts that set my heart a buzzin' This was Richard's house, no doubt in my mind.
Lastly, having a beer in the Montgomery Hotel in Honiton I learned two facts.The Montgomery was once The Pelican Inn....where in 1944 General Montgomery and Dwight D Eisenhower stayed overnight due to bad weather conditions on their way down to the south coast beaches.
And, Henry V111 was kept waiting for his future Spanish wife, expected at Southampton, a storm intervened and she ended up in Plymouth (Guzz) of all places. Katherine of Aragon arrived late...who can blame her. She stayed the night in Honiton, and continued on to London and into the history books.
LESLUNT.COM
Friday, August 24, 2012
Harry of England. Or to put it correctly Harry of Wales. No one can deny the young prince has spirit. I asked mysef, how would I feel if I were about to go Afghanistan. One has just to look at the Paralympics participants, especially those who served in the British Army. Heavens only knows how many young American ex-Iraq or Afghanistan veterans are about to grace our shores, those and others from different theatres of war. Heroes they are, to a man and woman. Harry a captain ,in the Army Air Corps should perhaps ease himself off the front pages. But I offer no criticism of his antics. Young officers'. I've seen worse behaviour.
I finally got permission to publish The Justice of Revenge on Kindle. It was of course previously published in an abridged form, that version lacked the impact I desired. This version is explosive. I make no apologies.
Les Lunt.
I finally got permission to publish The Justice of Revenge on Kindle. It was of course previously published in an abridged form, that version lacked the impact I desired. This version is explosive. I make no apologies.
Les Lunt.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
A summers evening in Devon.
So, where do you go to celebrate your wife's birthday when you live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet? Why, you go to your local 16th century pub, which sells real ale. And so to Totnes, in Devon. A swift half at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel (often portrayed in my books)...before boarding a ferry to Dartmouth.
Now Dartmouth is special to us both, my wife taught English to foreign cadets at the Royal Naval College, and as a Reserve Officer, I taught navigation to cadets and for my sins I trained a group of cadets to take part in the Ten Tors...(an expedition on Dartmoor, some of the cadets actually did the 50 miles overland hike!).
However, to continue. On to Bow Bridge at Tuckenhay....The Watewrman's Arms. Go there as soon as you can! Dine by the river, you can even feed the ducks! But I digress, just down the road is The Maltsers Arms, a pub where we held our weddding reception all those years ago...onced owned by a great chef and piss artist, Keith Floyd, it's further down the river at Bow Creek...We had to check it out....my how it has changed, great beers, Palmers, it has to be tried... back to Totnes and The Steam Packet pub on the river...Doombar, a last pint. I look up and above on the hill is the house I bought while working in Paignton and Brixham. Cherry Cross overlooked the river with magnificent views down river and across the town.We spent many a cold winter night huddled around a fire in the Steam Packet, empty, cold and those days lacking in character.
When Peter took over it changed. He had great plans and vision, although he later sold it, it's now one of the best pubs in the UK...it also had four real ales on...My how pubs are changing!
An American hero died yesterday. Gore Vidal, how I wish we had an English version. As I said in my tweet, politicians lie, even when confronted, they lie even further. Cameron is reported to have been furious about the NHS spectacular at the opening ceremony of the Olympics...(showing the magnificent work done in the National Health Service) one of Cameron's henchmen called it a socialist extravaganza..Shame on you Cameron and you Cleggy, just how much damage can these two clown do before the British ship sinks....they agreed to pay millions to a private security firm who by all accounts shouldn't guard a chicken shed. The government called in the army, the same lads who are nursing their P45's in their backpockets...shame on you Cameron.
And finally as Gore Vidal said: "Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not give a damn." Beautifully put!
Oh how I wish I could emulate him....
And finally, finally, reports of Tony Blair wishing to get back into politics..in the Labour Party! Which I understand he has never left... Just how much pain can he inflict on innocent people?
tweet @LesLunt
www.LesLunt.com
Now Dartmouth is special to us both, my wife taught English to foreign cadets at the Royal Naval College, and as a Reserve Officer, I taught navigation to cadets and for my sins I trained a group of cadets to take part in the Ten Tors...(an expedition on Dartmoor, some of the cadets actually did the 50 miles overland hike!).
However, to continue. On to Bow Bridge at Tuckenhay....The Watewrman's Arms. Go there as soon as you can! Dine by the river, you can even feed the ducks! But I digress, just down the road is The Maltsers Arms, a pub where we held our weddding reception all those years ago...onced owned by a great chef and piss artist, Keith Floyd, it's further down the river at Bow Creek...We had to check it out....my how it has changed, great beers, Palmers, it has to be tried... back to Totnes and The Steam Packet pub on the river...Doombar, a last pint. I look up and above on the hill is the house I bought while working in Paignton and Brixham. Cherry Cross overlooked the river with magnificent views down river and across the town.We spent many a cold winter night huddled around a fire in the Steam Packet, empty, cold and those days lacking in character.
When Peter took over it changed. He had great plans and vision, although he later sold it, it's now one of the best pubs in the UK...it also had four real ales on...My how pubs are changing!
An American hero died yesterday. Gore Vidal, how I wish we had an English version. As I said in my tweet, politicians lie, even when confronted, they lie even further. Cameron is reported to have been furious about the NHS spectacular at the opening ceremony of the Olympics...(showing the magnificent work done in the National Health Service) one of Cameron's henchmen called it a socialist extravaganza..Shame on you Cameron and you Cleggy, just how much damage can these two clown do before the British ship sinks....they agreed to pay millions to a private security firm who by all accounts shouldn't guard a chicken shed. The government called in the army, the same lads who are nursing their P45's in their backpockets...shame on you Cameron.
And finally as Gore Vidal said: "Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not give a damn." Beautifully put!
Oh how I wish I could emulate him....
And finally, finally, reports of Tony Blair wishing to get back into politics..in the Labour Party! Which I understand he has never left... Just how much pain can he inflict on innocent people?
tweet @LesLunt
www.LesLunt.com
Sunday, April 22, 2012
THE BATTLE of BRITAIN
Goodday!
So, how many noticed the spelling mistake in my last blog? Well, I can tell you, 123 and the mistaks? Barbican...that place in Plymouth where the Pilgrim fathers set off for the New World. However, all I can do is blame it on my recent cataract operation...I am pleased to say not only has my eye sight improved, I can now read without glasses...amazing.
I don't often have a rant, but on this occasion I feel justified. I had a slight muscle injury through running...it happens occasionally. So, armed with the knowledge that Ibuprofen eases the muscle ache...Into Boot's Pharmacy in Plymouth, Devon, and was told the cost was £4, 20 for a small pack of 400 mg strength tabs. Whoa, whoa, wait one cotton pickin' minute. How much I wailed?. Nah....cheaper in the Co-op... I walked down the street and bought 24, 200 mg tabs for 72 pence. Boots, have been found guilty in my court, and the Co-op....pass on every count. Message, I shall give Boots Pharmacy a miss.
Had breakfast in a place mentioned several times in my book The Mystery of Conan Blake... in Honiton, Devon. Just as it was in my book, (my agent and I had a working breakfast there) it is the best coffee in town, beats Costa...and cheaper.....Costa's 'Flat White' is Aussie....or tries to be. The reason they just haven't got it, it's just as I mentioned in my book: Conan... I mentioned the coffee bar in the Berlin, Humboldt University. The young person who operated the coffee machine operated it like a maestro. If only we could emulate the Spanish and Germans...and the French...?
I think I had better point out, I have no business connection with Cafe Bar 102, except that it has atmosphere and those running it are polite, and professional. Nuff said on the matter.
This year there is a special interest in the Battle of Britain, that battle fought above the skies of the southern and eastern counties of England. I mentioned part of the Battle in my book, A Hurricanes Tale and my new book, working title: The Battle of Britain, sub title..St Crispins Day 25th October 1940. If you should ever go to the church on Biggin Hill airport, (an ex-Battle of Britain base). Look at the memorial window, dedicated to the pilots who fought from Biggin Hill or as it was known, 'The Bump'. There is a quote from Shakespeare's, Henry V. We Few, We Happy Few.. To be published in June. My book is a follow up to A Hurricanes Tale.
Just checkin' the time, is it 15:03 on Saturday or is it...er...or...? I suppose I could ask the Home Secretary...!
LesLunt.com
www.leslunt.blogspot.com
So, how many noticed the spelling mistake in my last blog? Well, I can tell you, 123 and the mistaks? Barbican...that place in Plymouth where the Pilgrim fathers set off for the New World. However, all I can do is blame it on my recent cataract operation...I am pleased to say not only has my eye sight improved, I can now read without glasses...amazing.
I don't often have a rant, but on this occasion I feel justified. I had a slight muscle injury through running...it happens occasionally. So, armed with the knowledge that Ibuprofen eases the muscle ache...Into Boot's Pharmacy in Plymouth, Devon, and was told the cost was £4, 20 for a small pack of 400 mg strength tabs. Whoa, whoa, wait one cotton pickin' minute. How much I wailed?. Nah....cheaper in the Co-op... I walked down the street and bought 24, 200 mg tabs for 72 pence. Boots, have been found guilty in my court, and the Co-op....pass on every count. Message, I shall give Boots Pharmacy a miss.
Had breakfast in a place mentioned several times in my book The Mystery of Conan Blake... in Honiton, Devon. Just as it was in my book, (my agent and I had a working breakfast there) it is the best coffee in town, beats Costa...and cheaper.....Costa's 'Flat White' is Aussie....or tries to be. The reason they just haven't got it, it's just as I mentioned in my book: Conan... I mentioned the coffee bar in the Berlin, Humboldt University. The young person who operated the coffee machine operated it like a maestro. If only we could emulate the Spanish and Germans...and the French...?
I think I had better point out, I have no business connection with Cafe Bar 102, except that it has atmosphere and those running it are polite, and professional. Nuff said on the matter.
This year there is a special interest in the Battle of Britain, that battle fought above the skies of the southern and eastern counties of England. I mentioned part of the Battle in my book, A Hurricanes Tale and my new book, working title: The Battle of Britain, sub title..St Crispins Day 25th October 1940. If you should ever go to the church on Biggin Hill airport, (an ex-Battle of Britain base). Look at the memorial window, dedicated to the pilots who fought from Biggin Hill or as it was known, 'The Bump'. There is a quote from Shakespeare's, Henry V. We Few, We Happy Few.. To be published in June. My book is a follow up to A Hurricanes Tale.
Just checkin' the time, is it 15:03 on Saturday or is it...er...or...? I suppose I could ask the Home Secretary...!
LesLunt.com
www.leslunt.blogspot.com
A day out in Paradise
The new cycle path from Exmouth in Devon to Exeter is to be experienced, though I admit I only went as far as Topsham where my favourite coffee shop serves one of the best...however, I digress. The cycle path passes along one of the most beautiful views in the whole of Devon. The River Exe and the estuary.
A heart stopping moment when passing the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines. It's quite a few years since I was there. From the bike path it looks as if there are major changes taking place...I think to myself, good, because it means the government we have, might at least recognize the work undertaken in Afghanistan (Excercise Herrick)...In my book Logan's Touch, I do mention the CTC(RM)...and one of my characters is based on a real person..However...
The tide is out, and most of the waders, Avocets, Curlews, Oyster Catchers are in abundance...I am pleased that my latest book, The Mystery of Conan Blake is doing well in the Kindle charts. and I am thinking of a follow up to A Hurricanes Tale. Two books are already in progress, I shall refrain from naming them in case of name theft.....It does happen.
LesLunt.com
A heart stopping moment when passing the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines. It's quite a few years since I was there. From the bike path it looks as if there are major changes taking place...I think to myself, good, because it means the government we have, might at least recognize the work undertaken in Afghanistan (Excercise Herrick)...In my book Logan's Touch, I do mention the CTC(RM)...and one of my characters is based on a real person..However...
The tide is out, and most of the waders, Avocets, Curlews, Oyster Catchers are in abundance...I am pleased that my latest book, The Mystery of Conan Blake is doing well in the Kindle charts. and I am thinking of a follow up to A Hurricanes Tale. Two books are already in progress, I shall refrain from naming them in case of name theft.....It does happen.
LesLunt.com
Monday, April 02, 2012
A little touch of Cleggy in the night
....I am in Plymouth, Devon, walking around the Brabican, from where the Pilgrim fathers set off in the Mayflower. I have been here many times before, this was once my 'patch' and I look out for familiar faces. There are none.
I am looking for Robert Lenkiewicz, not him personally, because I know he is dead. I am seeking his mural, painted on the side of a house in the Brabican. There is a reason. In my latest book, The Mystery of Conan Blake, I mentioned Lenkiewicz as one of the few artists who could replicate the work of the 17th century masters who painted the ceiling in Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin. Lenkiewicz certainly could have painted in the style of Hann Trier, one of the artists who painted some of the Schloss Charlottenburg's ceilings when they were restored after the war.
For a few minutes I was distracted by finding a pub by the name of The Dolphin. I have many happy memories about the Dolphin. But first let me tell you about its history. When the Tolpuddle Martyrs returned from Australia in 1836, they stayed the night at The Dolphin, in a room overlooking the harbour. I remember my pal Billy Holmes, the landlord, serving some of the best Bass around, and it's a great pleasure to find the pub now sells, Tribute beer, a Real Ale..
On with the search for Robert Lenkiewicz, artist, of exceptional talent, and a character, often seen in the pubs in the Barbican. I stumbled upon his truly magnificent work on a wall just past the Plymouth Gin factory...it has almost disappeared. A criminal act perpetrated by someone...the city council perhaps, or the landlord, who knows? It's certainly neglected, I suppose after the artists death. (he was quite young, and had previously had a heart by-pass-operation....All it needed to protect it was coat of varnish....
Bare discernable were some of the Plymouth characters I knew from being a social worker in the district. (Lenkiewicz painted many people he found 'interesting'. I searched for a pal, 'Gordon' who worked at the Wolseley office on North Prospect...featured on the 'Mayflower' in armour....he was fading fast...
But most important, I remembered a lecture Lenkiewicz gave in a Plymouth theatre. It shook me rigid when he virtually admitted he was a paedophile. He admitted to an audience of around 200 people that he found children sexually attractive....I wanted to stand up and protest, ( I was a social worker in the Brixham and Paignton office in Devon, and it turned my stomach...a strong hand held me back...
But I digress, turning towards the harbour I found the Mayflower steps where tradition tells us the Pilgrim Fathers left to go to America. They weren't all they are made out to be either, but that's another story. I walked to the Hoe, that magificent ampitheatre where Francis Drake played bowls then defeated the Spanish. I like Drake, first of all he was a pirate, so he can't be all that bad....or was he? Whatever, maybe he was, maybe not.. his family still farm near where I live in East Devon. He once owned a pub which is reputed to be 1000 years old...yes, you read it right. 1000 years, mentioned in The Doomseday Book...It had originally been a monastery. It serves Tribute and Otter ales, and Doombar of course. It is now owned by the village. Unique I say!
Onwards...overlooking the harbour, from where in 1967 I saw Sir Francis Chichester return from his round the world trip, in his little yacht, Gypsy Moth, and knighted by the Queen. I could not but help noticing, there was not one Royal Navy ship around. Shame on you Cameron and Clegg. A million old sea dogs will curse you both, (as well as a few million ex-Royal Marines, which very neatly brings me to one of my best sellers, originally published in the USA, and now on Kindle, Logan's Touch,'with a sub heading: Once a Marine always a Marine.
It was Charles Schulz of Peanuts fame who encouraged me to write, I met him in the cardiac wing at Santa Rosa hospital, a wonderful man. he passed on in 2000.
So there it is, six books on the amazon web-site....two on the stocks...
A Happy Easter....2012.
http://www.leslunt.com/ http://www.leslunt.blogspot.com/ vantagebooks@rocketmail.com
contact me anytime. Les Lunt
I am looking for Robert Lenkiewicz, not him personally, because I know he is dead. I am seeking his mural, painted on the side of a house in the Brabican. There is a reason. In my latest book, The Mystery of Conan Blake, I mentioned Lenkiewicz as one of the few artists who could replicate the work of the 17th century masters who painted the ceiling in Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin. Lenkiewicz certainly could have painted in the style of Hann Trier, one of the artists who painted some of the Schloss Charlottenburg's ceilings when they were restored after the war.
For a few minutes I was distracted by finding a pub by the name of The Dolphin. I have many happy memories about the Dolphin. But first let me tell you about its history. When the Tolpuddle Martyrs returned from Australia in 1836, they stayed the night at The Dolphin, in a room overlooking the harbour. I remember my pal Billy Holmes, the landlord, serving some of the best Bass around, and it's a great pleasure to find the pub now sells, Tribute beer, a Real Ale..
On with the search for Robert Lenkiewicz, artist, of exceptional talent, and a character, often seen in the pubs in the Barbican. I stumbled upon his truly magnificent work on a wall just past the Plymouth Gin factory...it has almost disappeared. A criminal act perpetrated by someone...the city council perhaps, or the landlord, who knows? It's certainly neglected, I suppose after the artists death. (he was quite young, and had previously had a heart by-pass-operation....All it needed to protect it was coat of varnish....
Bare discernable were some of the Plymouth characters I knew from being a social worker in the district. (Lenkiewicz painted many people he found 'interesting'. I searched for a pal, 'Gordon' who worked at the Wolseley office on North Prospect...featured on the 'Mayflower' in armour....he was fading fast...
But most important, I remembered a lecture Lenkiewicz gave in a Plymouth theatre. It shook me rigid when he virtually admitted he was a paedophile. He admitted to an audience of around 200 people that he found children sexually attractive....I wanted to stand up and protest, ( I was a social worker in the Brixham and Paignton office in Devon, and it turned my stomach...a strong hand held me back...
But I digress, turning towards the harbour I found the Mayflower steps where tradition tells us the Pilgrim Fathers left to go to America. They weren't all they are made out to be either, but that's another story. I walked to the Hoe, that magificent ampitheatre where Francis Drake played bowls then defeated the Spanish. I like Drake, first of all he was a pirate, so he can't be all that bad....or was he? Whatever, maybe he was, maybe not.. his family still farm near where I live in East Devon. He once owned a pub which is reputed to be 1000 years old...yes, you read it right. 1000 years, mentioned in The Doomseday Book...It had originally been a monastery. It serves Tribute and Otter ales, and Doombar of course. It is now owned by the village. Unique I say!
Onwards...overlooking the harbour, from where in 1967 I saw Sir Francis Chichester return from his round the world trip, in his little yacht, Gypsy Moth, and knighted by the Queen. I could not but help noticing, there was not one Royal Navy ship around. Shame on you Cameron and Clegg. A million old sea dogs will curse you both, (as well as a few million ex-Royal Marines, which very neatly brings me to one of my best sellers, originally published in the USA, and now on Kindle, Logan's Touch,'with a sub heading: Once a Marine always a Marine.
It was Charles Schulz of Peanuts fame who encouraged me to write, I met him in the cardiac wing at Santa Rosa hospital, a wonderful man. he passed on in 2000.
So there it is, six books on the amazon web-site....two on the stocks...
A Happy Easter....2012.
http://www.leslunt.com/ http://www.leslunt.blogspot.com/ vantagebooks@rocketmail.com
contact me anytime. Les Lunt
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