Kindred Spirits

Recently I have heard many conflicting views concerning the effectiveness of twitter and all it has (or doesn't have) to offer. Personally, I was hesitant to join and feared it. I did not know it, however, and so forced myself to. I am so happy I did. I have discovered opportunities, gained knowledge and experience and met so many good people. This weekend was one such meeting of good people that I am so grateful to have found.

There were four of us from three very different locations spanning the country from west to east. We chose beautiful Ludlow as our neutral point and, whilst it meant long travel for some, it was more than worth the effort. It is an adorable market town, complete with a castle with Norman beginnings and eventually the home of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. Black and white buildings line the narrow streets and specialist boutiques invite you in with tempting window displays and pleasant aromas.

Driving over moors, surrounded by valleys shrouded in mist, I felt part of a novel. I imagined the protagonists from my own creations riding across the headlands and spying the castle, nestled between peaks of forest laden hills. It was magical and so too was our meeting. Four women, all writers with age ranges spanning five decades, sat in a tea room and were immediately captivated by one another. We had met on twitter. We had sent emails. Yet it was the ability to embrace and see the magical light in each other's eyes that added that final seal to our friendships; the bond created when all the senses are involved. There was so much to talk about at times it was hard to remain on one subject for long. We consumed cake, lunches, tea and coffee while sharing our passion for reading and writing and other things close to our hearts. The latter now extends to one another; we met kindred spirits on Saturday and the moment will remain with me forever.