Viv was born in Oldham in 1957, the youngest of four children. She is married to Martyn and between them they have five children and twelve grandchildren. After a varied career from Shop Assistant, to Business Analyst to Lecturer, Viv decided to follow her first love, writing.
Living close to the beach promised long, relaxing days, reclining peacefully and contemplating life, not prolonged screeching and jumping along the sand with a live crustacean taking residence in your pants.
Life in France for Viv is not what was expected. Perception based upon memory and recall alone is just not up to scratch. Who knew about the live lions parked in open containers in rural car parks. What about the monkeys tethered to grass verges eyeing you suspiciously? Why do horses have their heads poked through town house kitchen windows? Are they hoping for sustenance for the long night ahead? Just what is this obsession with drains blowing smoke up sewage pipes and making the colour of water especially grey? And just because there is a bus stop, can it be presumed that any type of vehicle has ever stopped there? Residence in rural France might just be a tad more tricky than first anticipated.
Being shown the private convenience of the Queen of England in The House of Commons was not the career highlight that Viv had expected. A dazzling profession as a Prima Ballerina had been her plan but having two legs of the same length and width would appear to be a pretty strong prerequisite for a successful livelihood in that arena, not to mention a couple of ballet lessons at least.
What did happen along the way were a random selection of activities which were not anticipated either:
· Inter-store “It’s a Knockout” on Cable TV
· Jumping the queue at the Austria/Slovakian Border Control
· Attempted mugging in Bratislava
· A West Highland White disgrace on National TV
· Acquiring a temporary Iranian Bodyguard
· Drinking schnapps in an isolated house in Eskilstuna
LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE MAKING PLANS
I am excited to share this picture of mine with you. I can be seen standing in front of my book displayed at the Jarrold Cromer. It is a deeply touching experience to see one’s work being appreciated. ........
North Norfolk News featured my book, Paying with Fish. “The quirks of life in France go under the spotlight in a new book by a Cromer-based author.” says the article. Read more details here.
Jarrolds displayed my book, Playing with Fish, at their bookshop. The book is available for sale in the store. Also, take a look at these pictures taken there.
Life is what you make it, it is just a bad day not a bad life.Never regret a day in your life; good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons and best days give memorie ........
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