Well, what a lot of things to report. Firstly, it was day one of the New Forest Show today and once again I've been asked by Longdown Activity Farm to take part in their Show Farm marquee, drawing cartoons of animals and offering my children's books for sale. After a decidedly wet start resulting in some damp paper despite being undercover things picked up during the afternoon with a very busy tent full of people keen to meet the animals, learn about farm life and, in my corner, get on with some serious drawing and colouring.
It was good to see Mr Moorhouse, an ex-teacher at my old secondary school who was instrumental in getting my first book published (and this some time after I'd left school). It was rather good fun filling him in on the pupils he could remember, not to mention telling him we're now all 40.
The really big news of the day, though, was the launch of a new children's book, written by Farmer Bryan of Longdown Activity Farm, illustrated by me and published by Ceratopia Books. It's a wonderful story of 24 hours in a farmer's life as told through the eyes of the farmer and his granddaughter who has come to visit. There's no high drama, but instead lots of fascinating detail and fun escapades around the farm, all of which the farmer must cope with on a day-to-day basis. Adults and children will learn a lot. The book is priced at £4.99 and is available at the show, from the Longdown Activity Farm shop, or, from my next bit of big news, my rather splendid new online shop.
Looking forward to a decidedly drier day tomorrow. Maybe I'll see you at the show?