Helena struggled valiantly against all the odds having forgotten everything essential, and Greta had a skirmish with the plumbing which refused to deliver hot water. The dining table saw service as a massage bed and sore backs were soothed, ensuring the girls were blissfully asleep in the dorm when Matron came to check that they weren’t up to any shenanigans.
Profits in the Portpatrick gift shops, bakery and coffee shop reached record levels as we all squandered time and money rather than staying in and writing. The weather was bitterly cold but we were toasty warm in the house. When we had exhausted all diversions, we wrote. However, pounding on the keyboards damages the nails so we had to stop for manicures.
Despite the distractions we all made (limited) progress and, more importantly, we had a great time.
*Sanatorium. For the uninitiated, or those too young to have encountered them, The Chalet School books By Elinor M. Brent-Dyer always mentioned “The San” where T.B. patients recovered their health.
Nose a bright red with sinuses in a state
They bound into the house, all silence imploded
Talk quickly progressed to the voles that exploded
Helena procrastinated somewhat and spoke of Mah-jong
Searched for laptop cable although it was home all along
We discussed whether bees, wasps or hornets attack
And of ghosts, death, Ouija boards and all things black
Typical of people who are creative and into the arts
Discussions quickly lead to male and female parts
Helena piped up with “You can’t beat a good port!”
Finding power to her laptop took centre court
We proceeded to talk about boils on the bum
And booking hotels and owls on the run
Septic teeth providing alternative ink
These writers are frankly quite mad I think
Francis asked folk to take off their clothes
One at a time mind, it’s not one of “those”
She took them up the stairs for a rub
Aching bones now supple and ready to club
Alison put us to shame with her running shoes
Greta brought pie – no more pounds will I lose
A big box of chocolate and bottles of wine
It’s amazing if we write – will there be enough time?
As discussions continued on Romans and Sheep
We sloped off to bed praying we could sleep
The noises of the house made us all stiffen
As Colin found it hard to write about Griffins
The laughter, hilarity and shrieking that occurred
Made the writing a challenge and quite absurd
But never the less, good work was done
Amongst the gales, the rain, the snow and the sun.