Thursford
at Christmas
On our recent travels in our motorhome we came across
an old farm that's been restored into a steam museum, wedding and party venue,
with some cute little gift shops. It reminded me of places like Portmerion in
North Wales (but on a much smaller scale), or Last Drop Village in Bolton close
to my own home.
Thursford was all ready to receive Father Christmas and his elves visiting for
the month in an amazing winter wonderland. As I have recently had an idea for a
teen/YA fantasy trilogy, I thought this place was amazing. 
My new book idea is very different from The
Beyond Series of books as it whisks the reader away to a whole new world and
dimension of fun and magic, with some scary intrigue and thrills along the
journey. I felt it very fitting that I was transported to this beautiful wonderland
for just an hour or so, making me feel like a kid again, which was fantastic.
Obviously my new idea doesn't include angry looking
snowmen, but - ooh hang on..., just kidding. But it did feel like I was walking
through a magical fantasy world.
We also stayed in a caravan park in a woodland close
to Thursford in Norfolk. Naturally, me being me, I felt this looked more like
Narnia. Ever since I first read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the idea
of an alternate universe existed beyond a wardrobe was the most amazing and
scary story I'd read at that point in my young and impressionable life.
I had a working title for my new trilogy, but I've
discovered there is something a little similar already out there... so I will
have to get my thinking cap on for catchy titles. But think Narnia, meets
Doctor Who, with magical making Goonies on Halloween!! Hmm, that's quite an
eclectic mix, but hopefully it will work.
