In the perennial argument about whether you do research before, during or after you write a novel, one answer is that you do it when the children are away, the hangover's wearing off, and the bailiffs are out of the house: in other words, whenever you can. But given the choice, I found myself saying the other day on a forum thread, there are some kinds of research you have to do first, so that you've got something 'to start thinking against'.

Something to start thinking against. It was one of those ideas I didn't know I had till I saw it on the screen...


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This was when he lived! He would have dressed like that! This was me, finding a link to Allan Cunningham in everything I see, read and think. Yes I agree a little obsessive, possibly very obsessive, but I love it. A bit boring for others unfortunately so I try to keep my excitement short and sweet. They humour me and sometimes find it interesting. My close friends and family have been listening to me discuss this subject for over two years, so it is understandable that it sometimes is more humorous than interesting.

We were watching "Becoming Jane", a wonderful movie set in the late 1700's. I was taking note of the atmosphere and the way they all dressed and trying to place my botanist in the middle of it all. In particular, there is a scene in the law court where all the solicitors are writing madly with pen and ink, wigs in place, as some poor person was being sentence to transportation for life. AC trained as a solicitor early on, at Lincoln's Inn. He never married, possibly because his future was unsure. He was well educated possibly because his family had a patron. His father was the Head Gardener at Wimbledon House, so possibly the lord of the manor financed the education of the Head Gardener's two sons, Allan and Richard.

Allan Cunningham lived in London between 1791 and 1814, he would have understood society's rules, he would have witnessed Nelson's funeral on the Thames and walked the streets of London and rode in the transportation similar to that shown in the movie. Oh how I wish I could show the life of my character as well as the movie makers showed the life of Jane Austen.

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Yesterday, a dull Saturday morning in Glasgow, Govan rang to the sounds of 24 orange bands parading through the streets; I could imagine all the pillows over hung-over heads – I mean it was 11am for God’sake! My head was clear and zinging with caffeine. It took them almost half-an-hour to pass. What I like about high-rise-living is the view and the muted street noise; not that muted really; we’re only eight flights up. I stood at the window and watched as they drearily marched through the grey day…and there might have been a little rain in the wind.


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I forgot to say (and I really ought to have remembered!) that, after Friday's debacle with my attempt to get Godalming Pharmacy to sell me a bottle of Carex, I was having a much-needed nap when Lord H came home from work. Well, I do like to look like a hard-working author, you know ... Anyway, I told him my Friday disaster in great and gory detail and he listened with all due sympathy. When I finally shut up grumbling (not something that happens often, really), he produced not one - not two - but three bottles of the said Carex from his briefcase, saying he'd found me a happy Friday present, as Lightwater is still living in the '50s and the news of a product's discontinuation has not yet got through to them. Hurrah! No, triple hurrahs! And Lord H is now officially a SuperSaint Husband with extra Holiness points. And very smug about it, he is too, ho ho ... The Pope is due to ratify the sanctification any day now, I'm told.

Anyway, today we have gone to church in Peper Harow and all very jolly it was. The organist played some of the tunes I love - including Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" and Purcell's "Come Ye Sons of Art" - so what could be nicer? The hymns were okay too. At least they were low enough set for me to sing. How I hate the high notes. To cap it all, we managed to escape before having to talk to anyone, which is always a plus point in my book ...

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Had something of a disturbed night last night (women's troubles, so move on quickly if you're a man!) and was up for an hour or so at 3am before I felt able to go back to bed again. I read my copy of the Writers' News competition supplement and was much surprised to see (whilst groaning and clutching a hot-water bottle to my stomach) that I'd been shortlisted in the Betjeman poetry competition. I hadn't even been aware I'd entered it actually. Maybe they just recognise talent when they see it and these days I don't even have to enter in order to get an award?? I ruddy wish, eh!! Anyway, I've queried it with them, so let's see what they say. In the meantime, roll on the menopause ...

Lord H and I have spent most of the day at Arundel Wetlands Centre and a lovely time we had too. We managed to see two kestrels, two nuthatches, a zillion and one greylag geese and a peculiar thing that was halfway between a grouse and a ptarmigan. So Lord alone knows what that was. I was also very brave and took the boat safari, which Lord H was very keen to do. How I hate boats! Mind you, the initial terror was worth it as we saw a kingfisher perched on a branch and - for once - it stayed there for ages so we had an A++ view. Fabulous. Plus there were Little Grebes, so that was definitely worth it too. The woman steering the boat did terrify me at the end though when she admitted that she'd run out of power (and therefore the ability to steer) and would have to rely on the landing stage to stop the darn thing. Okay, it wasn't going very fast, but I at least noticed the jolt ... And squeaked. Dammit ...

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A dreadful pun to annouce my appointment as the site host for Fiction II on the Writewords site.

I was bit unsure if I should take the plunge and apply for the spot, but a few emails here and there convinced me that I ought to.



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Managed to get through last night okay. I have to say it was fine, but I did feel really uncomfortable a couple of times and utterly exhausted when it was over. Seeing the old University gals is in some ways like revisiting a section of my past that is long since over. I'm not convinced I'm that person any more. At all. They did talk about meeting up later in the year, but I kept my mouth shut (now, there's a novelty ...) as I honestly don't want to. It makes me feel I'm wearing a coat that no longer fits. Hell, I've just said the same thing twice, but I rather like the coat image, so I'm keeping it in. Anyway, it was just soooooo good to be home! And Lord H had done some cleaning while I was out too, so now has way too many SuperHusband Points. I just can't keep up, sigh ...

This morning, I opened my copy of Writing Magazine to discover I've been shortlisted in the Tanka competition. Yattah! As Hiro would say. That's certainly given me a boost. If only I could ruddy well remember what a tanka actually is (or even be bothered to look it up), I would write more of them. Bugger, eh ...

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I did get some answers on my question about the novella, and have come to the conclusion that it is really more related to the short story than the novel. I thought I should read more so asked if anyone knew any off hand and got two so far which I'll try to get from the library today. My local writing group meet there so it's all quite handy. I've been popping in on this group for the past year, whenever I was in Glasgow, and it never occurred to me to actually join the library

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"It is by honouring the memory of great men that
one inspires greatness in others."
Hyacinthe de Bougainville 8th September 1825

This blog is a recording of my journey as I get to know a botanist, Allan Cunningham, who dedicated his life to science in the early 1800s.

After coming across his grave site in the middle of the Sydney Botanic Gardens, I was inspired to get to know him. The moss covered plaque, on his memorial, simply saying that Allan Cunningham, Botanist Explorer 1791-1839 was buried at the spot, drew me in. I'd never heard of him and my curiosity twinkled like a bright light.

My interest was further fueled by the words Ida Lee, an Historian, wrote back in 1925, when she realised that she was too ill to complete her work recording the story of Allan Cunningham. She regretfully acknowledged : "owing to illness continually hampering my efforts I have been unable to carry out my original intentions. I therefore trust that in due course an abler writer will deal with what I have omitted and do Cunningham's memory the justice it so richly deserves" (Ida Lee, "Early Explorers in Australia" 1925). It was like an invitation. No so much that I am an abler writer, more so that she thought the man "richly deserves" to be remembered.

Since discovering the grave I have done some extensive research. The more I know about this kindly brave and dedicated man, the more I am driven by excitement and enthusiasm to record his story. His is a story of tenacity, courage, commitment, curiosity and passion, it's an adventure story. If I tell this story well, the reader will be able to follow in the footsteps of this man's life journey and will be rewarded with the knowledge that so much can be achieved with just a little passion, perseverance and tenacity.

During the early 1800's he participated in some of the major British expeditions in Australia, on land and on sea. Allan Cunningham's drive was not fueled by a desire for fame and fortune. He did it because he was curious and he was given the opportunity. He had a tenacious spirit that allowed him to over-ride his frail and often sickly physique and pursue his need to know.

His ancestors were Scottish. The influence of the Scottish Enlightenment and the Scottish psych on our hero cannot be ignored.

The method for recording this story has not yet been "nailed down". At this stage I think it is a six part television documentary series accompanied by a book, similar to the method Michael Palin used in his documentary series, Hemingway's Adventure.

The story incorporates at least six major adventures, travels across the oceans of the world when longitude measurement was in in its infancy, scientific study and the naming of plants identified for the first time by Europeans in the global landscape. The story is a visual one and could be illustrated with many wonderful images from our treasure trove of historical art left behind by our ancestors plus high quality photography will be used to give a window into the geography of the story.

The story is populated by some wonderful characters. AC knew so many of the history makers during the Macquarie era and several years after. He was a member of important scientific societies of his time. For example the Linnaeus Society. He was well educated and well read. He corresponded with many eminent scientists in the field of Botany.

How did he become the man he was?

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I was so impressed with myself yesterday; I wrote a whole piece, edited and polished it to what I hope is publishable standard, then emailed it to The Guardian. It's in letter form, an 800wds first person account for their Saturday supplement family page. So my fingers will be well-crossed until I hear from them. I also got around 500wds on the novel; a good day, for me.


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