I took a little stroll along Rosehearty beach. No exaggeration. It was a stroll. Recovery from pneumonia (posted 2020) is a slow process, so the walk was slow too. It was a meander along the sands, if you will.
I chose Rosehearty for the stroll because it’s a beach that feels gentle. Sheltered at both sides by harbour walls, some old, some even older, it’s rarely windy there. It’s small too, so I knew I wouldn’t be tempted to march on for miles and exhaust myself.
The low sun created beautiful effects on the silvery sands…
The sea air was perfect for my poorly lungs, and the general magic of the place, healing. I mentioned the magic of this beach last year in my article 10 Mystical and Magical Sites in Aberdeenshire on the official tourism site for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Meanwhile, back home: the snowdrops are out 🙂
Some recent reviews of THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR:
Memories of Scotland: “Our society has made some strides towards treating all people as human beings but we’re yet a long way from where we need to be. Books that remind us of that are always to be welcomed; dreams are worth pursuing.”
Here on GoodReads: “The Mermaid and the Bear is a charming mix of dark history and romance, lightly dusted with its own magic.”
Miss LiV Adventures: “I’ll declare this an entertaining and satisfying read with a playful and dear aspect that kept it at the top of my reading list each time I considered what to pick up on an evening.”
And even on Barnes and Noble: “The setting, the characters, and the story — all great! I was whisked away to another time & place, and enjoyed it immensely.”
Taking place mainly in a fictional castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.
See the press release here
Review from Tonya Ulynn Brown: “Before I go any further, I just have to say, this is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read…“
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
I’m sorry to have missed your most recent posts, including when you no doubt told us about the pneumonia; I’m so glad you’re getting over that.
For similar reasons I haven’t read your book but I’ll do that when I finish the present one – not an easy read.
My next post might be of interest to you as I try to finish my novella/novel; it includes a visit to Covent Garden to see Margot Fonteyn dance with Nureyev for the first time. I was there but my memory is failing me so I’m still doing a bit of research to fill in the background.
Your next post does, indeed, sound fascinating. I’ll look out for it!
The place names you introduce (e.g., Rosehearty Beach) in your blog posts always capture my interest and imagination! I’m glad you’re getting up and about and pray you have a quick and full recovery soon.
We do have some great place names up here, and thank you 🙂
Have you tried goldenseal in a tincture, Ailish? It may help speed your recovery.
Beautiful photos. And I must pick up a copy of your book.
I will look into that, thank you 🙂
Wishing you continued and speedy healing. The beach is beautiful!
Thank you 🙂 It is a lovely wee beach.
What a beautiful beach! Sorry to hear you have been poorly 🙁 Take it easy, and you’ll soon be back to hiking the many miles of our coastlines!
Yes, longing for a good long hike!
Lovely picturea and I am glad you are now well enough to venture out.
Thank you 🙂
So sorry you have not been well, but glad to hear that you are recovering. It can take a while to bounce back from pneumonia, so do be patient with yourself. The beach walk looks like wonderful therapy.
It was really nice.
I was sorry to read you haven’t been well. All the best for your recovery. Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos of the beach.
Thank you, and I’m glad you like the pictures 🙂
Beautiful pictures. The sea air would help your poorly lungs. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thank you!
Lovely silvery sands. . . Congratulations on the good reviews!
Thank you 🙂
Sorry to read that you’ve not been well. This explains your recent absence from blogging. Congrats on getting good reviews on your new book.
Thank you!
Get well soon!
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful pictures, make me want to a take a stroll along the beach myself. Thanks so much for sharing, have a wonderful day! 🙂
I’m glad you liked them!
Pneumonia recovery is along haul. You take care x
I will, thank you 🙂
Heading back to Scotland this year – my home away from home. So glad that you are well on the road to recovery. Just found you on Amazon.ca “The Mermaid and The Bear.” Will be following you there too. Have a great day!
Thank you for all of this 🙂 I hope you have a great time in Scotland!
How perfect. I have been desiring to go to Scotland for several years now and I’m finally fulfilling my dream to go this year. First time traveling alone, although I will meet up with a tour group for most of my visit. I am so excited—May cannot come fast enough. God willing the coronavirus won’t impede our traveling ability.
Also, wishing the speediest of recoveries to you!
How exciting! I hope you enjoy have a wonderful time 🙂
So sorry to hear that you’ve been so poorly… And what a lovely place to choose for a gentle walk – I love walking along the beach:). I hope you soon feel much better!
Thank you 🙂
I hope you continue to feel better!
Thank you 🙂
I must have missed your more recent posts! I’m so sorry to hear about the pneumonia – it does take a good while to get over but taking walks is a good thing, and the setting is gorgeous. I read and reviewed your book – it was GREAT! Waiting on another now!
Yes, I saw the review; thank you! There will be more in due course 🙂
Please get better soon. xxx
Thank you 🙂
I hope your recovery continues to progress well! Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures!
You’re most welcome 🙂
The beautiful skies caught my attention in your photos as much as the beaches and “The Big Sky” by Kate Bush keeps going thru my head. All the best with your recovery
I do love those skies 🙂 and thank you!
Glad to hear you are recovering Ailish. I can totally understand the slow process of getting your health back, (diagnosed with Crohns six-ish years ago). Thank you for sharing your beach walk with us. You just can’t beat a good bit of sea air! Oh and thanks for following me too. Take care. Mat x
You’re welcome! I hope you are returned to health now.
It’s an on going process but then so is everything!
I am glad you are recovering well, Ailish. xx
Thank you 🙂
First, thank you Ailish for the likes and the follow.
Although I haven’t yet finished my current read (The Confessions of Frannie Langton) I couldn’t resist dipping into The Mermaid and the Bear and read just the first chapter. It was a relief to have some enjoyable writing again, as I’m used to in your posts. Frannie has become difficult again so I was glad of the relief and wait impatiently to finish it and get onto your witches and romance.
I hope your recovery continues 🙂 .
Great to hear; I hope you enjoy the rest of the book as much!
Beautiful pics….so very calming
Glad you like them 🙂
I appreciate you sharing your beach/ocean photos…I miss the water up here in the desert.
You’re welcome 🙂 The desert sounds like it might be a bit warmer though!
Ah, you would think so…but we just got a lot of snow! (Well, a lot of snow for New Mexico, anyway!). *laugh*
More than us then!
Snowdrops can probably make anyone feel a bit better. 🙂 Blessings!
They are such dear little flowers 🙂
So very beautiful! Thank You and I hope You are feeling all the way better soon!!! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
My pleasure! 🙂
So beautiful. Thank you for sharing
Glad you like 🙂
Beautiful pics. How exciting you are getting better. And it’s going to be fun watching you write books and your articles. I’m considering re-starting a freelance biz again and I’m always interested in seeing how others do it. Looks like you have a bit of a niche which is what I was missing…I kind of write EVERYTHING. I think narrowing down my subjects and then using different tools to promote it (blogs, books, etc.) is a great way to go. Anyway, feel good and thanks!
Thank you so much Andrea; I am feeling much better. I guess we just have to follow the subjects we feel most passionate about and then it all flows naturally.
Glad you are on the road to recovery.
The beach and area look lovely. One on the list for when I retire (I’ll be about 120 years old by then LOL)
Thank you 🙂 I hope you enjoy your beach walk when you make it up here!
Thanks for the wonderful photos.
One problem. Returned from Scotland on Saturday night, to just the wrong side of the border.
Emigration plans now firmer than ever, and will order your book…
I hope your plans work out well, and that you enjoy the book 🙂
Beautiful beaches. Congrats on getting over pneumonia!
Thank you. Not quite there yet, but an awful lot better 🙂
Love the photos! Hope your pneumonia will be 100% gone, soon.
Glad you like the photos 🙂 I am a lot better.
Thanks for sharing. I hope you are feeling 100% better by now.
Getting there 🙂
Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Some beautiful photos of the beach!
Glad you like 🙂
I can actually travel with you via your blogs. Thank you for a beautiful journey. You write so amazingly ❤❤
I’m so glad you enjoy the posts!
I’m surprised you wanted to be on the beach in February. It looks a little cold to me.
I pretty much always want to be on the beach 😀
I would love to go back to Scotland, principally in Ardgay and its surroundings where I had an amazing time last year. Love it! Thank you for your posts and for keeping us posted on what to see there!
🙂