It’s time to admire early blooms, to seed the peas, to plant new strawberry plants, and to head off on a book tour. Time for growth. The growing of plants and the growing of readership being related, of course. After much outside labour throughout the winter – garden beds reconstructed, earth tilled, rich compost added – the garden is ready for seeding and planting. Inside, I’ve also been beavering away at planning a UK book tour for Canterbury and Other Tales. That work, too, has come to fruition.
Spring flowers burst into bloom and new leaves unfurl, seeds and seedlings grow roots and sprout, while Canterbury and Other Tales begins a journey of its own, finding its way into the hands of readers on the other side of the Atlantic. I’m looking forward to this next adventure. A different sort of travel from my usual fare. Less walking and exploring. More train riding, talking, and listening.
Over the next month, I will meet all the people I’ve been e-mailing with over the past six months, every aspect of this tour reminding me of the importance of being connected with others.
Richard and Douglas, who lead my UK publishing team. Alan, who I met in Turkmenistan. Stuart, who I met in Italy. Liz, Kate, Mary and Mel with whom I went to school England. Tim and Gail who I stayed with on a previous trip to England. Authors who have extended hands of friendship: Diana Cambridge, Justine Gilbert, Victoria Field, Jonathan Butt, Fiona Chesterton, and Linda Buckley Archer. Members of the Ramblers who have invited me to join their walks: Ian and Nikki in Exeter, Heather and Richard in Winchester, Wil in Rye, Beverley and Ian in Canterbury, Caroline in Newark on Trent, and Charles in Sevenoaks. Mel in Wilmslow and Kate in Shepton Beauchamp who have invited me to introduce the book to their Ramblers and Women’s Institute groups. Enormous support from three National Trust Properties: Jenny at Mompesson House in Salisbury, Eve at Lamb House in Rye, and Sam at Knole House in Sevenoaks. Roly, Vice dean of Winchester Cathedral and Gary, Chaplain at Winchester Cathedral who are making time in their busy Sunday schedules to meet and discuss pilgrimage, as is Alan in Ely. Caroline, of the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, and Sue, a Friend of Ely Cathedral, who are organizing reading opportunities. Mags at Radnor school who has invited me to speak with students.
I am grateful for, and honoured by, all this support and am reminded that without these many generous people – there would be no book tour.
In my garden I’ve planted early seeds, summer bulbs and a few new shrubs. Lacy’s sitter, Nancy and her gentle dog, Sam are due to arrive on Sunday. As long as there are no flight delays – and that, of course, is the great unknown – Canterbury and Other Tales and I will fly on Monday.
No blogs while I’m touring, but I will do my best – which leaves much to be desired – to post short updates and photos on Facebook and Instagram. If you don’t already follow me on those platforms or if you are curious about where I will be when, go to my website: www.KimLetson.ca and click on the icons or go to the “events” page.