It's been wonderful to see the signs of spring in the past few days, hasn't it? I've been out on the river and in the garden, trying to make the most of the warmth and light - before we have another cold spell later in the week, I hear.
The longer, brighter days fill me with energy and enthusiasm and I've been doing a lot of tidying and sorting (though possibly to avoid tackling my always daunting 'to do' list).
Lighter evenings also mean that I am more inclined to get out and about and there are plenty of things going on again. So much so, in fact, that for some dates I'm spoilt for choice. How fortunate we are to have so much available to us so close to home.
Sometimes though, in keeping my options open, I miss out. I think we've all got used to deciding what to do at the last minute. But many events I've been looking at recently have been selling out, and I've left it too late!
Films and NTL screenings at The Riverside have been particularly popular in the last few weeks.
Wednesday's talk at Suffolk Book League by Noreen Massud and her memoir 'A Flat Place' is sold out, I think. Though keep in touch with SBL here.
I've seen that Norwich Theatre Royal is promoting the literary inspiration for plays in its current programme called From Page to Stage. 'Austentatious', the improvisation show based on the books of Jane Austen is sold out.
In the next few days we'll see The Riverside open a new restaurant with award-winning chef Oliver Marlowe. I've spoken to him for an article which will appear in Suffolk magazine shortly, and it's exciting to learn of his plans. The soft launch is booked up though, I understand, so no tables available for a couple of weeks!
A little while ago I spoke to playwright Tallulah Brown about her work on the witch trials in Bury St Edmunds. I wrote this article after our conversation so am eager to see the play in performance. There aren't many tickets left though so I need to get a date in the diary. Take a look here.
The Aldeburgh Literature Festival this weekend sold out weeks ago. I was fortunate to have tickets for two talks and am so pleased I didn't miss out on these.
Though I've interviewed both Christina Lamb and Craig Brown for magazine articles, it was great to be reminded of their books and to see them again, in person and on stage, with a couple of my favourite interviewers!!
So my point in telling you about all the things you probably won't be able to see(!) is to highlight the support and interest there is in these author events.
It's great that so many of us are eager to meet and hear from creative people, and to be together as a community being encouraged and inspired.
There are some events coming up which haven't yet filled their seats, of course. Read on for details of David Wright, Alison Weir and Kate Rolfe - they're listed below and I'll also be at the Jubilee Hall Aldeburgh in a few weeks talking to Matt Gaw about his book 'In All Weathers', so I hope you'll think about joining me there too. Details here.
But do please book early for any event you are interested in attending - and I'll do the same! We'll be sure to avoid disappointment and have something positive and inspiring to look forward to in our diaries. And we'll also be encouraging both speakers and organisers as they make arrangements on our behalf.
Thank you for reading.