Have just enjoyed an extremely productive week of writing, thanks to Varuna. It was a privilege to have the use of Eleanor Dark's writing studio for the week and the work I did there would have taken three months' worth of Sundays, at least. Thanks to the amazing cookery skills of Sheila, I will have some physical memories to take away as well!

It will also be exciting to see what my fellow-residents for that week, Tamara Pearce, Michelle Law, Fleur Glenn and Lyn Hatherly, achieve as time goes on. So glad to have met you all.Hard graft - inspiring surrounds