Flaming Nora

I've been writing Coronation Street Weekly Updates for th'internet since 1995. And the latest weekly update has just gone live over here . This week the update is in shock at the news that Margi Clarke could be back on the Street .

Yes, I know I'm old enough to know better but I have a crush on these two men and go a bit peculiar when either of them are on the TV.

The novel has now reached almost 60,000 words. I have two chapters left to write and then it's down to editing and rewrites before I let it go to the outside world and let someone else read it. There are scary and exciting times ahead.

This summer will mark my 7th year of living in London. So it's time to take stock and think on what I've learned in that time. Being a Northerner and living in London has made me realise the following things, in no particular order: 1. When people in London say: "W e really must have lunch, I'll give you a ring, " there's no point waiting by the phone . 2. When you're given a job by the nation's second major media company and they tell you: " You're sensational" and "You're just what we've been looking for ", take their words with a hefty pinch of salt. 2a. A dream job should stay in your dreams (see 2 above) 3. When collapsing on the tube through work-related stress (see 2 above) there are kind and helpful people who will come to your boyfriend's aid to help move your unconscious body off the train and onto the platform. Thankyou, kind man. 4. There are kind and helpful people who will help you cope with panic att...

I know nothing about Northern Soul music, but being a Coronation Street fan, last summer I tuned in to listen to Craig Charles' Funk & Soul Show on BBCRadio 6 and while I didn't recognise most of the songs played, they had me mooving and grooving around the kitchen. I've since gone on to buy a compilation double CD as a sort of Dummy's Guide to Northern Soul, so thank you Craig Charles and thank you Northern Soul. Some of the good things in life finally come to those of us who wait. Mind you, I'm not sure I want to go spinning on the floor in a pair of flares... although it's tempting.

I grew up with men like these popping into the house to see my dad for the special stuff he dispensed to help them grow leeks. Not spindly little leeks you see in the supermarket, the ones that sit there on the shelves giving leeks a bad press. No, these were proper leeks, big leeks, nothing less than show leeks and yet still full of flavour. I had a pang of nostalgia the other day for a leek pudding and searched online for a recipe as there was nothing in any of our books by Sir Nigel of Slater that showed that he knew what to do. The online recipes I found all recommended boiling the pudding for 2-3 hours. Boiling for 2-3 hours? That's not a pudding, that's a hot wash for the sheets. Anyway, I've now found this intriguing recipe which at least comes from the north-east so I'm trusting that the guy knows what he's talking about. I'll report back in due course.

I've been writing Coronation Street Weekly Updates for th'internet since 1995. And the latest weekly update has just gone live over here . This week the update is dedicated to Gail Platt, the patron saint of suffering.

I'm in the middle of my second major cold this year and having to take some more time off work. I am now officially fed up.

The trouble with voting for the London Mayor when I'm not a Londoner is that I feel a bit of a fraud. However, I've lived and worked in London for almost 7 years, I pays me council taxes, I takes me pick of things to enjoy from life in the smoke and I'm a firm believer that Emily Pankhurst didn't die in vain. So I'll vote, of course. And being of sound mind and of north-east upbringing with Labour running through my veins, it'll have to be Ken. For those who think otherwise, here's to the twaddle of Boris.

Spent the weekend in one of my most favourite places in Britain. It hailstoned and the sun shone. The fish and chips were fab and the frisbee won on the seafront bingo provided Sunday morning fun and games on the beach.

I've been writing Coronation Street Weekly Updates for th'internet since 1995. And the latest weekly update has just gone live over here . This week the update comes with bat scat and teenage rampage.

The snow we had earlier today is now starting to melt. Before it goes completely, my boyfriend has just made this snowman.

After yesterday's sunshine when I posted this picture from the garden , here's the same pot of daffodils pictured this morning in the snow. And here are some snow-covered tulips today too.

The sun's shining and the lawn is lush. It's spring and the garden looks fab. Note pigeon in background of picture (taken today) looking for some crumbs.

I don't know much about art but I know what I like. And I liked Peter Doig's exhibition at Tate Britan this week a great deal. This small image here might not look much but when it's in front of you on a wall that's half the size of a house it just knocks you sideways with its power. And now, wearing my peaked cap and in a London tourist official style-y, Peter Doig's paintings can be seen at Tate Britain in London until April 27. Highly recommended.

When I saw the news online today, I thought it must have beenan April fool. I'm still jittery, 'cos it appears to be true. The Specials are getting back together and touring later this year. I've been waiting for this to happen for about, oh, 20 years. How much more excitement can a girl take? The B52s releasing their first album in 16 years and now this. I think I need to go for a lie down.

I've been writing Coronation Street weekly updates for th'internet since 1995. The latest weekly update has just gone live here . This week the update comes to you wearing a high-vis jacket and some steel toe-capped boots.