Ely – M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

If I was having coffee I’d say that I’ve been consuming some interesting beverages recently, a mocktail, comes to mind.

Yesterday I was at Grand Central Ely (my daughter’s recommendation,) an authentic American style restaurant right by Ely waterfront. My daughter and I sampled their tasty burgers and also had some lovely mocktails, (no alcohol!) We both opted for a Cotton Candy – A sweet blend of coconut cream, pineapple juice and grenadine. It was delicious!

I’m not sure if I could replicate that mocktail but I do have a smoothie maker! Otherwise would a humble old coffee do ? Don’t worry I promise not to serve it in a bucket!

Yesterday my daughter and I’s visit to Ely coincided with the Ely Eel Festival. We had quite a day.

We watched Morris Dancers – more about that and our day on my post for: Hugh’s Photo Challenge so do stop there do and take a look!

We saw dancers, young performers, singers, men and women in Medieval costume, Morris Dancers, people eating Eel… the DJ wasn’t impressed – he spat his out! I bought some pot plants, and a cute cuddly cactus which sadly I lost somewhere… either on the grass, Tescos, or the train, I’ve no idea. So if you find my pot plants – do take care of them..

I had to share these particular photos of the event:

Who are these ladies in long black dresses you might ask? I was thinking the same thing until they put their tassels around their hips and then it clicked. Belly Dancers! These are the Elysian Belly Dancers, swaying their bellies and hips in tune to the music. Well done them, so brave to show off their Arabic dancing talents in public.

If you’d like to join in the fun here’s the link to the website: Elysian Belly Dancers. I have to say I was tempted, but I have writer’s meetings once a month on a Thursday evening! I co-coordinate the Cambridge Writer’s writing for children group: Cambridge Writers, so if I want to belly dance I might have to find another class! C’est La Vie!

What else have I been up to?

On Wednesday night I usually go to my Tai Chi class but I was invited by fellow writer – Alex Mellanby – author of The Tregarthur Series: Author Alex Mellanby – Amazon Profile along to an interesting, and enlightening SCIWBI event at Heffers Childrens Bookshop, Trinity Street. The guest of honour – Clair Goodhead, The Bookshop Manager, enlightened us about the history of the bookshop and gave us an insight into how passionate they are about books in general, and championing local authors. These type of events are excellent for networking, and finding out more about the bookselling industry. I met the co-coordinator of the Central East SCWBI network Helen Moss, writer of Adventure Island Books.

More about Helen here: Children’s Author: Helen Moss

This experience has made me consider joining The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, here’s the link to find out more: SCBWI.

More about Diana’s #WeekendCoffeeshare:

Part Time Monster Weekend Coffee Share

#WeekendCoffeeShare Link Up Post

Do you like to eat Eel, belly dance or have any unusual hobbies? Are you a SCBWI member?

Don’t forget to comment, and do have a lovely bank holiday weekend.

Bye for now,

Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

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When I saw Hugh’s Photo Challenge this week I knew that I had to join in the fun.

I had just the photo in mind, and here he is, Mr Frowning Tree.

Isn’t he extraordinary?

I photographed him some time ago when I was working as a Christmas temp at John Lewis. I was on my way to work one morning, and there he was greeting me with that wretched face. I had to stop and photograph him, I couldn’t walk pass without doing so. I have to admit that on that particular morning I just wasn’t in the mood for work. He knew it. I knew it. I just wanted to spend time blogging or writing!! Anyway, I saw his sad face and his monumental frown had me in stitches. He knew what I was thinking: There is nothing as fulfilling as spending time being creative. So that sad tree kind of frowned in sympathy, cheeky so and so….

Today, I was with my daughter in Ely. We were prom dress shopping. We went to a charming shop called Something Special and we found just the right one. The amazing thing was it wasn’t one she had picked. I spotted it! C’est Moi, the Fashionista! It had no price tag on. Eek, but she tried it on anyway, and I prayed it wouldn’t be too expensive. It fitted her like a glove. This in itself was a big bonus as she is so petite that finding a dress is no easy feat. This is the moment when she transformed from a very pretty sixteen year old into classy, and beautiful. The dress is simple, elegant, with just the right amount of detail for her to look like a total knock out.

She just loved it. Of course this midnight blue gown was way over my intended budget. I tried to make her see sense but as we left the shop, she kind of worked her magic on me. Of course she convinced me!! We only walked a few yards down the road, and then we were heading our way back to the shop much to the shop assistant’s amusement and the rest is history. Anyway, that sad tree has a lot to answer for, he’s probably chuckling now, cracking his bark, with splinters of spontaneous laughter. My poor wee bank account…..

So how did my daughter manage to work her magic on me?

Easy.

We mothers just can’t resist their daughters when they look so beautiful. But, as an insurance policy she promised to get A’s and B’s in her GCSE’s and to help with the price tag…. Clever lass. So I can’t complain. Perhaps this will spur her on to do extraordinary things….

This is when my day out with my daughter turned into an extraordinary day.

We had such a lovely day in Ely, it was such fun. The sun shone. We walked down to the waterfront and took loads of photographs. This is a common interest as we are both photography mad. I banished the thought of my money blues by suggesting that we visit a free event at the Babylon Gallery. Yes free, can you imagine? The Gallery is right on the waterfront. There is a very interesting exhibition at the moment called Time and Time Again, by Helena g Anderson from 20-31 January. Today is the last day, so hurry if you want to go see it. It totally took my mind off the state of my bank balance. In fact it was such a wonderful idea to go, as my daughter is doing GCSE Textiles and is a keen photographer and this exhibition really inspired her. The main theme of the exhibition is “an opportunity to look at the changing nature of time on the human condition, where one sees the body deteriorate but the soul remain omnipresent. Women and girls were photographed in 10-year increments, ranging from 0 to 100 years old.”

Startlingly we recognised one of the photographed faces, a friend of my daughters. Isn’t that quite amazing? It can only happen in Ely you know, you must visit!

More about Babylon Gallery here: http://www.babylonarts.org.uk/gallery/view,time-and-time-again-helena-g-anderson-2031-january_1906.htm

My photos of Ely will shortly be on my Instagram account so if you’d like to see them please follow the link: https://www.instagram.com/kyrosmagica/

I just love Ely. It is a must see place to visit, with its beautiful cathedral, lovely places to eat, riverside restaurants, and independent bookshops. Moreover, I just love spending time with my daughters, even when they cost me a fortune. I even found a dress for the Bloggers Bash too. It was in the same shop, fortunately the price wasn’t in the same frowning price tag league!!! But it was really pretty. So two dresses bought in one day, ouch…. what a day!!

Yes, I’m intending on going to the Bash again this year. I went last year and it was such fun. A day not to miss….

More about the Bloggers Bash this year via Sacha Black’s blog. The date is 11th of June, so do put it in your calendar. By all accounts it sounds like it’s going to be an awesome event. I just can’t wait.

http://sachablack.co.uk/2015/10/01/the-bash-is-back-the-second-annual-bloggersbash-2016/

And my account of last year’s event:

https://mjmallon.com/2015/08/02/the-bloggers-bash-oh-what-a-day/

Want to meet the organisers and attendees from last year? :

https://mjmallon.com/2015/08/05/meet-the-bloggers-who-attended-the-first-annual-bloggersbash-held-in-london-on-august-1st-2015/

Here’s the link to Hugh’s blog if you’d like to join in his photography challenge:

http://hughsviewsandnews.com/2016/01/26/hughs-weekly-photo-challenge-week-10-faces/

Here’s Hugh’s advice on what to do if you want to join in:

This week take a photo of an object that looks like it has a face. Rather than taking photos of the faces of people or animals try and capture an object that looks like it has a face.

Want to join the fun? Here’s what you need to do.
1. Take a photo of an object that looks like it has a face.
2. Create a new post on your blog entitled “Hugh’s Photo Challenge: Week 10 – Faces.”
3. Add the photo(s) you have taken to the post and tell us a little about what you are showing.
4. Create a pingback to this post or leave a link to your post in the comments section below so that other participants can view your post.

Bye for now,

Marje @ Kyrosmagica XX

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Tag: Ely

#WeekendCoffee Share: Ely Eel Festival

Hugh’s Weekly Photo Challenge Week 10 Faces