I am just back from sunny West Cork and a wonderful holiday in my favourite spot- beautiful Baltimore, a fishing/sailing village which is part of the Wild Atlantic Way.

After a very busy year of work and writing and Zooms with so many wonderful young and not so young readers, it was great to just sit in the Cove and chill, dream of new books and ideas, and not even turn on a computer or laptop and barely glance at my phone.

We saw the home place where Michael Collins the great patriot and young leader was born in Clonakilty and also visited the Michael Collins Museum in Emmet Square in the town which is very close to his statue. This year marks the hundred year anniversary of his death in an ambush in nearby Beal Na mBlath on 22^nd August 2022.

I am always a little sad leaving Skibbereen and heading back to Dublin, but feel relaxed and re-energized after such a great break.