I know it's not about 11th C Scotland but (well, actually...)

I am in Naseby. I would shout out that this place is the best place in New Zealand. I am qualified to make such an unscientific judgement because I have been to EVERY place in my country save Gisborne (sorry East Cape - plan to come soon and I've watched 'Whale Rider' and 'Boy'...). Ironic really as I am Ngati Porou.

Why is Naseby so great? Because, it don't matter the season, there's stuff to do. It don't matter the season, it's completely acceptable for a writer to be holed up in her room writing. There is a great cafe and two wonderful pubs. There is the internationally recognised curing rink (and in winter a real frozen lake one to skate on. Oh, and the luge). There are biking trails and damns and birds and stuff and it's quite like the highlands of Scotland I am told by those who know.

It's a place where you don't lock your car or your house. Here in the south, they call them cribs but I'm from the north so they are baches for me.

Unfortunately, Naseby is so far up the highlands that there is no cellphone coverage and the only reason I am able to be on the internet is because I'm staying at a motel. There is no doctor and no pharmacy which is a pity as, yet again, one of our number came off his bike (why is it always the males?) and we had to rush him to the local hospital but, of course, being NZ and it's administration of essential resources, didn't have x-ray facilities so the injured and support team had to go to Clyde.

As I write this, the birds have decided that they will come awake (lazy things) and I’m pleased to report that there was not a broken bone.

I have been having fun polishing the first act of Birthright and Jo, who is with us on this holiday, has yet to read. She may or not during this wonderful long weekend but I am VERY pleased with my writing.

The witches are SOOOO much fun to write.