Operation Medina

‘Operation Medina’ is a ‘What if?’ novel.  It explores the idea that the Isle of Wight might have been occupied by the enemy during WW2. What would life have been like on the island?  Seen through the eyes of some of the islanders the story unfolds.  There is a farmer who sets up a resistance group, a retired teacher who shelters a British spy who comes over from the mainland, there is an aristocratic lady who has her home requisitioned by the island Commandant and there is a romance between an island girl and a German officer. There is humour, tragedy and above all great courage as the island comes to terms with its fate.

Cowes sea front

Pictures of the sea front at Cowes on the Isle of Wight, taken from the ‘Red Funnell’ car ferry to Southampton.

Isle of Wight buses

Bus drivers on the Isle of Wight are amazing, especially those who drive the No.1 bus from Newport to Cowes. Look at the narrow archway they have to get through at the end of their journey as they pull into the Town Quay

Cheers and applause for such amazing skill

Who lived here?

This is the home of Thomas Arnold in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. He was once headmaster of Rugby School and was father of the poet Matthew Arnold.

Sunday on The Solent

Such a busy day on The Solent with all the weekend sailors out in force, competing for space with container ships and car ferries

Picture taken from the old Chain Bridge while crossing from West to East Cowes on the Isle of Wight

Flooding at Cowes

King Canute was here!

Seen at Cowes

A busy day on the Solent

The Adventures of Zack & Zoe

Here is the cover Martin Wall designed for my latest book in the ‘Zack & Zoe’ series. The book contains two stories, ‘The Grey Goose’ and ‘Dognapped’. As with the other books in the series it is written for children between the ages of 8-12. The book will be available next week from Amazon in both paperback and as an e-book
Happy reading

My latest book

‘The Adventures of Zack & Zoe’ includes two exciting stories called ‘The Grey Goose’ and ‘Dognapped’. The cover design by Martin Wall.
The book is out in paperback and is also available as an E-book

The Little Sweep

In Gray’s Walk, in Newport on the Isle of Wight, there is a plaque commemorating a young boy called Valentine Gray who was apprenticed to a chimney sweep called Benjamin Davies. Valentine was treated badly by his master. When, in January 1822 he was found dead in an outhouse in the town, there was a public outcry. He was just ten years old when he died. Valentine’s death led to the passing of the Climbing Boys Act which prohibited sending young boys up inside chimneys. Benjamin Davies was blamed for Valentine’s death and was convicted of manslaughter.