Sunday, 6 September 2015

The People's Award

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I'm pleased to announce my new book awards Daniel Jones Doom the sequel t the acclaimed book Frenzy a Daniel Jones Story is the winner if the People's Book Awards.

 Thank you to all the fans of the book and my followers who voted for it.

 Regards

 Mark






Daniel Jones DOOM

Posted on July 25, 2015 by 
Daniel Jones DOOM
Daniel Jones DOOM by Mark King
Printed BookDoom
Daniel’s peaceful life has been destroyed after discovering the hideous truth about the Over-seers – the new masters of humanity. Hiding in centuries-old flint mines from Hunters and from the terrifying Triclops machines, Daniel’s recurring nightmares lead him, once more, into danger. With mankind brainwashed under the false hope of a glorious new life in the Achievement Centre, he must return home through a devastated landscape to save his father
from certain death.
Daniel reunites with two fellow fugitives – Mary and her young companion Gwendolyn – to undertake a rescue mission so dangerous that death is the only guarantee. Is it too late for Daniel’s family or is it too late for humanity itself? Daniel Jones DOOM, the exciting new sequel to FRENZY a Daniel Jones Story, is another fast-paced, engrossing chronicle of three rebels who once again risk their lives in a vividly depicted world peopled by memorable new and known characters.
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Saturday, 29 August 2015

Cromer nights

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To be truthful I wasn't looking forward to sleeping in a tent. The first time I went camping with my family was five years ago when I had seriously hurt my back. I had something bulging out of my spine that shouldn't have been, and it was hell on earth. I had borrowed a small tent from a friend, and some very basic equipment, and off the family went. It was only for two days, but laying on a hard floor with only a sleeping bag with chronic back pain isn't an enjoyable experience.

 Since then we have bought our own tent and added equipment to make it more comfortable. There was plenty of egging on by the wife, and children, who wanted to go camping again, that persuaded me to give it another go and invest in some equipment of our own. Personally I'm more happy by the pool somewhere hot in the world, but we're a democratic family, and camping got the winning vote.

 But I had a good sleep on the first night, and it was the wife who had the restless night. The group of adults next to us had sat outside their tent when their own children had gone to sleep. They were drinking and talking, and the more drunk they got the louder they became. It didn't bother me because after all the hard work I had put in that day, and a few beers, I soon fell into the land of nod. But the wife became more and more irritated with them, and apparently by the first hour of Monday morning she had had enough, and went over to them asking them politely to be quite. They said sorry, and quietened down, but it took the intervention of somebody from another tent, plus an argument, before they finally went to sleep. I was none the wiser to these events until a rather tired wife told me in the morning.

 After I cooked a breakfast of bacon and egg sandwiches we walked down to Cromer beach. It took longer than we expected. For some reason we thought we could get to get to the beach in ten to fifteen minutes,  but we had to add another half an hour to this before we could get the swim ware on as the sun appeared. Cromer is a traditional British seaside resort. I enjoyed the local speciality of Cromer dressed crab, caught just off the coast, and landed on the beach in small wooden boats before being prepared locally. We all had chips for lunch with dashings of salt and vinegar, and later on we had ice cream on the beach.

 The walk home was too much to handle so we took a taxi back to the camp site. Me and the wife sat outside our tent with a drink while the children played with their new friends they had already made, and once we all had a shower, and changed, we headed to the camp site bar. 

 All I can say about the food in the bar at Forest Park was that is was the best ever value meal I have ever had in the U.K. All the dishes were tasty, and my burger was probably the best burger I have ever eaten. We went to bed that night with our bellies full, and very content.

 The children feel asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillars while the wife and I had a glass or two of wine under the night sky while watching shooting stars. The end to a perfect day on a traditional British seaside camping holiday.

 Regards

 Mark 


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Friday, 21 August 2015

I'm back (once again)

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Ten days off on my hols, and now it's back to normal life. 

 The week leading up to our camping expedition, sorry holiday, was like the build up to most holidays, quite a stressful time. It doesn't matter what type of holiday you are looking forward too, you still have the suitcases out the weeks before you go with items placed inside ad-hock as they are thought about. Slowly they fill up and the closer the date for travelling arrives the more you find you keep double checking with each other, 'have you packed this, or have you booked that?' The travel list is never ending and when you go camping there's twice as many items to pack, and thus twice as must to worry about.

 I had to get the tent out and spread it over the back lawn because we have had a family of mice living in our garage who for some reason seems to like chewing holes in the most unusual things. I kept dreading putting the tent up on site only to find holes all over the canopy roof. There were no holes thankfully although my wife has had great joy in using an old fashion mousetrap to catch three of them, and our cat has taken two as well; so I think the mouse family are no more. I was quite happy to leave them where they where and as nature intended until I had seen some of the damage they had caused to camping chairs and other various items.

 We had so much to take we needed use of the Mother-in-law and her car which was full to the roof alongside ours. Once packed we headed for North Norfolk to Forest Park which is about a 45 minute drive away from where we live. We decided to stay in the U.K this year with all the trouble happening in various tourist destinations in the Mediterranean region.

 We arrived at 3 pm and by 5 pm the tent was up and everything unpacked.





The Mother-in-law brought Pippin the dog who took great delight in trying to help with the erection of the tent, but other than some help by my son it was mainly daddies sweat that got the tent up, and livable. Once everyone was settled my day hadn't ended because next it was time for food and that could only mean one thing, barbecue. It was the least we could do for the Mother-in-law. So out come the charcoal and a can of beer for the chief, which was me.



As the wine flowed and the sausage sizzled I had my shorts on, and the sun on my back. The children and Pippin were running free and the ladies were soaking up the last rays of the day as they sat happily in the deck chairs chatting. It was at this point you take a moment out to think about all the previous weeks hassle, and tension, and if it was worth all the stress? But like I say there is always a but, if it had been pouring with rain, and blowing a gale, then we would have all been huddled in the tent. I wouldn't like to think what the mood would have been like then, but on this occasions it wasn't raining. There was just an amazing sun set.





And on an occasion like this the answer was yes. Yes it was worth all the hassle, but their was a little question that popped into my head. Would the good times last throughout our holiday?

 Stay tuned to find out.

 Regards

 Mark
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Monday, 3 August 2015

Where is the sun?

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The school holidays are bounding along and with this my writing has come to a juddering stop. But life goes on and this month my new book Daniel Jones Doom the sequel to Frenzy a Daniel Jones Story has been nominated for the People's Book Awards. The link is below and for all my followers around the world you can vote for it checking out the bottom of the page.

 Now the school holidays are here the family will be off soon for a week of camping under the stars. last year we had the pleasure of holidaying in Tunisia, but after the terrible events when all those poor innocent people were gunned down by a lone madman this option is now closed. With all the events going on in Greece with the country on the brink of bankruptcy, the banks shut for so long and riots in the streets this was another option that didn't flick my switch. With travel warnings for parts of Turkey and for Egypt the Mediterranean seems a lot less safer than spending our holiday time in North Norfolk.

 The only thing we should have to worry about in North Norfolk hopefully is the weather! As long as the sun is shinning there should be plenty of fun to have on the beach, and the local attractions. So while I'm away I hope you can find the time to vote for Daniel Jones Doom, and when I return there will be a full update on the holiday fun.

The Book Awards


Daniel Jones DOOM

Posted on July 25, 2015 by 
  • 5.00 / 5 5
3 votes, 5.00 avg. rating (98% score)
Click the stars to vote!
Daniel Jones DOOM by Mark King
Printed BookDoom
Daniel’s peaceful life has been destroyed after discovering the hideous truth about the Over-seers – the new masters of humanity. Hiding in centuries-old flint mines from Hunters and from the terrifying Triclops machines, Daniel’s recurring nightmares lead him, once more, into danger. With mankind brainwashed under the false hope of a glorious new life in the Achievement Centre, he must return home through a devastated landscape to save his father
from certain death.
Daniel reunites with two fellow fugitives – Mary and her young companion Gwendolyn – to undertake a rescue mission so dangerous that death is the only guarantee. Is it too late for Daniel’s family or is it too late for humanity itself? Daniel Jones DOOM, the exciting new sequel to FRENZY a Daniel Jones Story, is another fast-paced, engrossing chronicle of three rebels who once again risk their lives in a vividly depicted world peopled by memorable new and known characters.
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Monday, 20 July 2015

End of Term

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The last two weeks of term before the schools brake up in the U.K for the summer holidays are very hectic times. This year especially as my daughter is leaving her Primary School for High School.

It started with two different sports days and the parents gathered on the sports pitch hoping the rain would stay away.

Sports Day





Then there was the end of year summer dance show for my daughter at the Hollywood in Norwich. Once again parents, their siblings and grand parents gathered, and waited eagerly, for the show to start.

Dance Show
Then it was back to the school for two end of year parent assemblies plus the leavers show. One event after the other and for the mothers a very competitive environment because everyone of them wanted to be on the front row. This then involved having to get to these events at least half an hour before they started, and like the title of my blog it felt I was just always-hanging-around.

School Assembly



Our mantle piece is covered with certificates galore and medals that were presented to the children for all their hard work, and commitment, throughout the year. For some mothers no matter how many awards their little darlings get it's never enough. They would chatter among themselves. 'Well why didn't my little Johnny get this award or my little girl get that medal?'


Scout and Beavers weekend Camp





The last awards were given out at the end of the local Scout/Beaver group weekend camping. All the parents gathered at 12 pm on Sunday lunch time to collect their little ones, but all there was to see were empty tents. The troop had gone off on a hike and were no where to be seen. So once again we were hanging around, but it was worth it. All the children loved it and plenty of badges were given out. With the ones my daughter got from her Guides Group their gran-mother is going to be kept busy sowing them all onto the children's uniforms.

So another school year is over and all for a lot of my readers from around the world, from the U.S.A to the U.K to Russia, India and Africa, millions of parents will be going through the same frenzied events, and hopefully like me you will have enjoyed every moment, and been truly grateful for having the chance to experience it.

Regards

Mark


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Sunday, 12 July 2015

Emotional goodbyes

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The previous Sunday was the last service for Fr Barry the rector of the local parish church who is retiring. The building was packed with some people having to stand. The full choir were present including the juniors. 





A spread of food, cakes and drinks were ready at the back of the church for everyone to celebrate the event. This is what Fr Barry wanted, the whole event to be a celebration, but after being the parish priest for ten years it's very hard to say goodbye to someone you have got to know over that time, and not feel emotional about it. 

 I can honestly say he is one of the nicest people I have ever met, and someone who truly believed in the message he wanted to pass onto others. With his wife Diane by his side they made a lovely couple that brought the community together with a warmth, and belief, that was infectious.







He will be missed. 

 The previous day my son had been boating on the Norfolk Broads with his Beaver group. One of the volunteers of his group is Mrs King, although we share the same surname we are not related. She is also a server at the Church and also a teacher at my children's primary school where Fr Barry took a weekly assembly. The weather on the Saturday was just gorgeous although it rained on the Sunday. Fr Barry made a joke about it during his sermon because it was raining on the very first day he turned up. 




I took my swimmers along with me and a picnic for the family. During the breaks from boating my daughter and son swam with me in the broads while the wife took pictures on the side. I tried to entice her in, but she was quite happy to just soak up the sun. Mrs King was there with her usual enthusiasm alongside the other Beaver and Scout helpers. It was a busy weekend because on the Sunday my son's football team were playing in a major football tournament organised by Norwich City Football in the Community .








My Mother-in-Law had volunteered to take him in the morning, and we joined them afterwards when we had said our final emotional goodbyes  to Fr Barry and his wife after the service. Because of the heavy rain we had received a call requesting us to bring coats for the other men who voluntary run the football team.

That's what makes a great community, volunteers! People who give their own time and resources freely to others without asking, or expecting anything back in return. This is the simple message of friendship that shone from Fr Barry like a beacon in a dark world, and I give thanks that I have been lucky to experience this, and to Fr Barry.

Regards

Mark
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Sunday, 5 July 2015

Jolly Boys day out

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It's been nearly three weeks since I posted my last comments on life. The only reason I haven't kept to my weekly format was because I couldn't make up my mind on what subject to write about. It wasn't a case of writers block, but the total opposite, it was a case of writers over load. There has been so much going on over the last three weeks every time I started to write I would change my mind, and start all over again.

 First there was the Jolly Boys day out. 

 The date had been set and the message went out. Jolly Boys day out. Meet at 10.30 for breakfast then a visit to the seaside for a day of drinking, reminiscing, laughing and more importantly friendship. Every year during the close season when there is no football my friends and I meet up for a day out during the weekend.

 So on Saturday people started to gather at the Queen of the Iceni public house on Riverside in Norwich for a full English Breakfast, and a pint. That was a bit to early for me so I hopped on the bus and arrived at midday at the pub. By 12.30 we were on the train to Gt Yarmouth.

 The weather was overcast and it was just warm enough to get away with wearing a light jacket, but rain had been forecast. I wasn't so bothered about the weather because one thing that does amuse me is how wrong the professionals are at predicting what the weather is going to be like in the U.K from one day to another. It costs millions upon millions of pounds to run the Met-office with even more spent on the latest computing power, and time and time again they get it wrong. Every Sunday evening you watch the seven day forecast and then every day there after it changes quicker than the weather itself. All you can guarantee is that what the weather professional-men say, and what happens in the real world are two totally different things. I just think it's pure fiction most of the time. 

 I had planned to take some photo's on my phone of the day out at some of the various pubs we visited, but I enjoyed myself so much it slipped my mind. All week people who were there have posted pictures on Facebook.

 After such a good time there were two events that brought me down to earth. The two terrible killings that took place in America and Tunisia. Both of these horrible acts were carried out in the name of race and religion, but in fact were carried out in the name of evil. The attack in Tunisia which resulted in the deaths of  thirty British people felt personal to me because last year I wrote a post here about our family holiday in the very same resort. There was a picture on the news with the gun man walking the very same beach that my family and I used to sit on.

 The following Friday I went on a school trip with my son to the Tower of London and as we sat together on the coach I couldn't but help look at him, and think how lucky I was.




   

Although the trip wasn't as easy as I expected it to be. I thought it would be a good thing for daddy/son bonding, and by the amount of other fathers that were on the two coaches, they thought the same thing.  We left my children's primary school at 7.30 in the morning and as we drove down the A11 trunk road to London we suddenly pulled up just south of Thetford. After twenty minutes with both coaches parked up, and blocking one lane, we were informed the other coach had broken down and could go no further. Our coach carried on its course, but within ten minutes the boy sitting behind us had a terrible nose bleed which had stopped by the time we reached Birchhanger services near Stanstead Airport. But by then another boy had fallen ill with travel sickness, and had to be left at the services with his adult cousin while his family had to drive all the way there to pick him up.

 Never mind I though went we got back on the road , at least we are moving! That was until we got into London. At the Blackwell tunnel the traffic came to a standstill and we were stuck for nearly an hour. With all the London pollution being pumped around the coach by its air-conditioning system children were being sick left, right and centre, and a bucket was passed from parent to parent. In the end with nearly a mile still to go it was decided that everyone would get off the coach and walk the rest of the way. By then it was midday and the sun had come out making it the hottest day of the year so far in the U.K. When everyone got to Tower Bridge we were all flagging.








What was most surprising about the whole adventure was when we arrived at the Tower of London. The other coach load of children and parents were there waiting for us. The teachers had been in contact and so took a different route into London after their replacement coach turned up. You can now get to London from Norwich in 90 minutes, but on this occasion it took five hours.

 Never mind it was still a great day out. My son got to see the Crown Jewels and the White Tower which is very similar to Norwich Castle (Although ours is better.)






By four in the afternoon we all met up before heading back to the coach. Although we didn't spend too much time there it was was enough for both my son and I, especially in the heat. London is a great place to visit, but Norwich is an even better place to live. we have a history as rich as London, and a cultural scene that is as vibrant, but what we don't have in Norwich is children being sick because of the pollution.

 Regards

 Mark
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