As most of you know, I have two homes, Canada and England.

And while I now live in a part of Canada where my Irish family roots on my mother’s side extend to the 1820s, I also have British ancestry and spent many years living and working in England.

This week, I’m leaving Tech Guy and Floppy Ears behind and flying to London, my favourite city, for a mix of work and holiday there and elsewhere in the UK.

For my writing work

I’m looking forward to attending the Romance Writing Festival in Bournemouth.

Since I started my author career in the UK, this festival will be a chance to catch up with friends and attend talks on the craft and business of writing.

A highlight will be a literary-themed walk, telling the stories of writers associated with Bournemouth, a popular resort town on England’s beautiful south coast.

My trip also involves writing research, especially for the third book in my WW2 British home front Teacher Evacuees series as Rose Warner.

I’ve booked a Women of London walking tour in the city’s East End and also plan to visit the nearby Museum of the Home.

Since all my books, both contemporary romance as Jen Gilroy and historical women’s fiction as Rose Warner, are in some way about ‘finding home,’ I’ll be exploring what home means to different people at different times and places.

I’ll also visit The Museum of English Rural Life in Reading and several historic properties in and around London in the care of Britain’s National Trust.

Not least, I’m looking forward to meeting with my UK literary agent and editor for bookish and career chat.

Holiday adventures

Any UK trip also means seeing friends beyond my writing community.

From a mum friend I met in hospital after giving birth to English Rose, to past work colleagues and village neighbours, I have a happy schedule of lunches, dinners and afternoon teas.

Fortunately, I’ll be doing lots of walking to balance what’s sure to be an excess of cake, fish and chips and other treats.

Solo travel

Although I’ll miss Tech Guy, I’m used to travelling alone and find that it gives me ‘thinking’ and ‘being’ time.

And by letting let my mind wander, I discover more about myself and often find unexpected writing inspiration.

So here’s to autumn adventures, no matter where and how you take them.

Since I’ll be away and, for the first time, I’m not taking my laptop with me, my next blog post will be in early November.