April was a bit of a funny one. Anyone else? I wasn’t as busy as anticipated – although I did work with some wonderful companies and everything I did was varied and interesting. Maybe everyone took a proper break over Easter this year? Family time is definitely being treasured now, so perhaps the pandemic has finally made us realise just what’s important.

Rather than panic about not being fully booked up, I’ve used the time to finish my book of Dartmoor walks. I’m so grateful to everyone who went off armed with my instructions and tried and tested them for me! I am glad to report that no one got lost (or if they did they’re not back to tell me yet) and all the feedback has been really useful in getting each walk just right!

It’s been a fascinating process – I’ve loved finding new walks (and Mo certainly approves of this occupation) but I’ve also really enjoyed the research into my local area. I was delighted to find out that suffragette Christabel Pankhurst used to holiday near Haytor and that the ore mines around here once produced paint that was used on the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

I’ve spent a good few hours at my new allotment, wandering around, not really having a clue but hoping my neighbouring growers won’t notice. I’ve never been a very keen gardener – I’m very much a “chuck it in and hope it grows” kind of planter – but I have an ulterior motive for joining the allotment crowd. Whilst our garden has no sun after about 4pm, even in mid-summer, the allotments have full sun until sunset – and also have the most amazing view! So for £40 a year (can you believe it?) I’ve got a sunny patch where I intend to scatter wildflower seeds around, plant the thirty sunflowers that have unexpectedly survived on my windowsill, and then sit and read or write in the warmth.

Another huge lure was the thought of kitting out my new shed with a little kettle and making it a cosy home-from-home. Thank goodness for Facebook Marketplace, where I’ve sourced vintage deck chairs, outdoor rugs (who knew) and even a hammock base. I think you get a fair picture of the sort of horticulturist I am!!

I’ve used some of my time this month to take part in webinars and courses on publishing, ready for my next personal project. ‘Taking part’ may be stretching it a bit in some cases – I was horrified to suddenly hear the words, “You all need to turn your cameras on guys!” in a session I was listening to in my pjs whilst doing a jigsaw. (In my defence it was a rainy Sunday evening, and I’m sure I was absorbing the information anyway.)

Freelancing life is all about peaks and troughs, and although having a quiet month is unnerving, I know that in an instant I’m going to be rushed off my socks again. I’m learning to use the quiet times productively, make the most of the things I can do and embrace the freedom while it lasts!