Goldenford is out and about

A quiet weekend, after a busy week. Last Saturday, we launched Jay Margrave's novel, Luther's Ambassadors, a worthy sequel to The Gawain Quest. Jay specialises in historical fiction - or mystoricals - to coin a phrase. This, the second the Priedeux trilogy, deals with Anne Boleyn's schemes to gain power and bring Catholism to England - and this means plotting to marry the King of England. Priedeux, Jay's fictional hero is a kind of Blackadder, though not a comic figure. Like Blackadder, though, he turns up all over the place and at different times in history. You can read about it at the Goldenford site. At any rate, it was a good launch, with the Mayor, no less, one of the guests.

We have already had an order to supply copies to Hever Castle.

Later in the week, Guildford Writers hosted an event for the Guildford Festival and our guest was author, Adrienne Dines, whom I'd met as a result of her being one of the judges at the Winchester Writers' Conference when Tainted Tree won second prize. Adrienne is highly entertaining and gave a wonderful talk, having many of us in stitches with her unscripted performance.

Then we, the Golden Girls, gave two presentations, one at Leatherhead at the theatre and the second at the museum. Both our talks went down extremely well, and we also sold copies of our books, which of course is the purpose of the exercise, though it's also a case of getting our 'brand' better known. Our next talk is in November, when we'll be at East Horsley library.

M has managed to cook his own apple dessert, and if he can do it, anyone can. This is probably the most simple thing to do with a large cooking apple.

Wash the skin. (You may have noticed that on the photo of the apples I'd collected, some of them were grubby from lying on the grass.)

Core the apple and fill the inside with sultanas or raisins. Place on a flat pyrex dish. Pour a spoonful of honey on the top of the apple and allow to dribble down. Bake on full power in a microwave oven for approximately 3 - 5 minutes (depending on size.) Allow to stand for a few minutes to ensure it is cooked through. Beware also that it may be very, very hot. Serve on its own or with icecream. You could also vary the filling in the centre; try almonds or other nuts.