The Wimbledon effect

Ever felt that the world of writing is conspiring against you?

Through bitter experience, I have learnt that I just have to abandon any hope of doing work during the Wimbledon fortnight. The rest of the year I spend looking after the children, feeding the family, doing the washing, taking daughter to swimming lessons, taking son to music lessons, attending concerts, watching sports day, as well as going to (paid) work and attending meetings. So, for a couple of weeks, I treat myself whenever I can to a mug of tea, a biscuit and whatever is going on in SW19. In some respects it is payback for the rest of the year. Writing, as well, gets put into second place.

Now that Wimbledon is over (thank you, Murray, for winning!) I find that the weather is against me. Temperatures are soaring and killing all motivation to work. You might think that years of living in Zambia would mean that I find it easy to cope with, but it is very different being here. Our buildings are designed to keep heat in, whereas in the tropics they are designed to let all the heat out. The stuffy feel of our atmosphere hits the head and deadens its resolve.

I thought that the end of term would wind down gently, but seemingly I still have a diary full of concerts and events to attend. One concert actually involves me playing the cello, so be warned: steer well clear that afternoon! And then family time takes over during the holidays: time that I will have to squeeze writing around entertaining the children. All of a sudden it will be September, back to school again and a deteriorating weather system … and then – just maybe – then I’ll get back to a decent writing routine.

I’m taking this time for ideas and rejuvenation. Until then, please forgive erratic postings. It is merely a sunny blip!