Caterpillar

In the name of research, I went round to wildlife expert Chris, who happens to live nearby, to ask him all about the Processionary Caterpillar.

Why, you may ask?

Fair question.

Well, it's all because Sebastian from the Casquette et Chapeau has a stick thrown at him by Mister Tap, according to my latest multi-singular blockbuster 'Mister Tap', currently under construction.

The stick missed its target, but unfortunately hit the nest of deadly caterpillars hanging from the branch above Seb's head.

Oh dear! Unfortunately for Seb, the inhalation of the micro-hairs from the little creatures could be fatal.

What on earth might happen? Will he be saved, just in time?

I dunno. I haven't written it yet.

Demises

I'm currently hard at work, plotting Mister Tap, and how the various characters meet their demises, which they surely must do.

And then there's also the staircase, and the cupboard at the bottom.

There are only three people who know what's in it.

And I'm one of them.

In Montolieu

Last week I was lucky enough to be in Montolieu, at the Writer's Retreat, doing some more 'Mister Tap'.

What a bloody horrible week it was.

I had a cough, I had a cold, I had a bad back, the weather was shit, 'Erindoors had to cancel coming at the last minute, and my cooking ain't wot it oughta be, as can be seen by my sauce that went slightly wrong.

Oh yes, and the car had a flat battery, twice - the first time when I arrived, and the second time just before going to the airport.

Apart from all that, it was great!

But I did manage to complete the current 20 chapters, and that's what I set out to do.

And I also had a very successful meeting with Monsieur Maire (not Monsieur le Mairie - Mr Town Hall, as I mistakenly called him at last summer's book launch), and I think because of the lure of having apperos on my boat, he may be coming to Wivenhoe in May.

He will be most welcome.