Last time we explored the seats in the Ouseburn valley which inspired one of the locations in my first novel, Addled: Adventures of a Reluctant Mystic. The novel is set where I live and it’s a great place, full of nature, animals, art and artist’s studios, and lots of pubs. Plus a community farm in… Continue reading Photo Album: Ouseburn Farm (Pluto in Aquarius)
Last time we explored my Astro Diary notes on the previous Saturn transit in Pisces in the early 90s. Back then, I was slowly rebuilding my life after a breakdown and learning how to believe in myself. It was a time of spiritual and psychological re-education that took my life in a totally new direction… Continue reading Dream With Open Eyes (Saturn in Pisces)
The Shining Ones starts in an abandoned church in the centre of Newcastle. I could have invented a location, but reality provided the perfect candidate in All Saints. It’s a beautiful old building – a dilapidated 18th century elliptical church. I chose All Saints because of its shape: the ellipse is aligned more or less… Continue reading Research Notes: Location – All Saints, Newcastle
On my walks around the local neighbourhood I often come across artworks and curious sculptures that make me want to learn more about the area. The Waymarkers were created by Lewis Robinson in 2002 to mark the main routes through the Ouseburn valley. They’re made from steel and glass, and each one celebrates a different… Continue reading Photo Album: The Waymarkers of Ouseburn
“Wherever there is light, look for the shadow. The shadow is me.” – Anais Nin “Every man carries with him through life a mirror, as unique and impossible to get rid of as his shadow.” – W.H. Auden, The Dyer’s Hand “Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our… Continue reading Me and My Shadow
You see some strange sights living opposite Seven Stories (the Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle) but this was one of the best: a mini Obi Wan Kenobi walking down the street with his mum. He’d just been attending one of the events at the Star Wars Weekend, and I managed to catch this shot as… Continue reading Obi Wan visits Ouseburn
A surprise visit from a tiny snow angel – view from the roof overlooking the Village Green in Ouseburn. >More from Zoe’s Photo Album
In autumn, the cobbled paths around Ouseburn are slowly transformed into a carpet of orange leaves. It’s like following the yellow brick road. Here’s some photos around the valley at this most colourful time of year: (click on the galleries to see the photos full size)
Wandering around Ouseburn you often come across unexpected things. As Zoe describes it in Addled, the area is “an evolving time capsule, an oasis of animals and art in the centre of town.” Here’s a glimpse of some of the most curious or arresting images I’ve stumbled across: (click pics for a closer look…) For more… Continue reading Street Art of Ouseburn
I took this shot of the old town wall on a beautiful sunny day, wandering around the city with my camera. But I didn’t notice the graffiti until I looked at the picture later – a perfect image for Addled. Zoe builds a wall around herself to protect her from the chaos she feels will… Continue reading Graffiti: Decay or Love?
Addled mostly happens in Newcastle, but the story begins on the other side of the river in Gateshead. Zoe Popper marches down Bottle Bank to cross the Tyne, before entering the Pitcher & Piano bar where the action kicks off. The word bottle is Saxon and means a house or habitation, which shows that Bottle… Continue reading Zoe’s Guide to Newcastle: Bottle Bank
Addled Locations: the Pitcher & Piano bar on Newcastle Quayside where Zoe meets Jonah in chapter 1. In the background you can see the Millennium and Tyne Bridges, and the sleek Sage music venue across the river in Gateshead.
Jessica Davidson 