I’ve been writing in Devon. I haven’t been writing my Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, just a few posts while on our sailboat and enjoying the Dartmouth Royal Regatta. We’re home now, but I’ve been reading a booklet I bought in the Dartmouth Visitor Centre, Agatha Christie’s Devon.
The first thing I discovered is how many great authors wrote in Devon. These include Charles Dickens, Charles Kingsley, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Rudyard Kipling. Charles Darwin finished The Origin of the Species in Devon. He wasn’t the only one. Oscar Wilde finished A Woman of No Importance, Salome, and Lady Windermere’s Fan on holiday in Babbacombe.
It’s a beautiful county, I can see how inspiring it can be to a writer. The booklet goes on to describe many of the places that were influential to Agatha Christie, and the people and places that she used in her books. Last night we waited for the 120 bus at Churston, hoping it would take us back to Kingswear. We watched golfers playing the 18th hole of Churston Golf Club, while waiting for the bus. Churston Golf Course was the inspiration for her 1923 book Murder on the Links. I’m glad we had some entertainment, because the bus didn’t turn up and we called a taxi.
One thing that I didn’t know about Agatha Christie, is that she learnt stand up surfing in Hawaii. The booklet quotes from her autobiography. “Surfing looks pretty easy. It isn’t. I say no more. I got very angry and fairly hurled my plank from me. Nevertheless I determined to return on the first possible opportunity and have another go. Quite by mistake I then got a good run on my board and came out delirious with happiness. Surfing is like that. You are either vigorously cursing or else you are idiotically pleased with yourself.” I can’t think of a better description of my golf.
I doubt that I’ll do much work on my manuscripts in Devon. There’s too much fabulous sailing to do. I’d also enjoy playing golf at Churston, the course looks good and I’m sure the views are spectacular. Perhaps I’ll write a few paragraphs if we’re at anchor in pouring rain. It would be good to join such an illustrious company of authors writing in Devon.