Just a quick note to say that my book, "Seeking the Green" now has a mention on publisher Capall Bann's site and has even got its ISBN number. It's there at: http://www.capallbann.co.uk/news.cfm [you'll need to scroll down to the 'new titles signed recently' section]

Although there are no other details up about it yet, things are definitely moving on.

I'll keep you all posted about any more developments!

By the time it dawned on me last night that I hadn’t blogged yesterday, it was rather late and I was feeling pretty shattered. So I decided to leave it until this morning instead.

We still don’t have a date for the wedding - ‘just before or just after Christmas’ is about as close as they can manage at the moment. I can’t help but feel really sorry for young people nowadays. There’s so much pressure on them. Admittedly people don’t have to spend a fortune on weddings, nobody holds their heads under the tap and says ‘You must spend fourteen grand or else’ but there’s a lot of social pressure.

Besides, advertising is so pernicious it makes people believe they have no choice. We live in a society where money is seen as the answer to everything, and young people are rarely taught how to differentiate between real advice and blatant advertising for profit.

I well remember one family member, nearly forty years ago who was expecting a baby. One day she announced she didn't want any hand knitted or sewn baby clothes (and we had some aunties in the family who were brilliant at making these things.) Oh no. This one was going to Mothercare because 'Mothercare cares for your child.' (which was the advertising slogan at Mothercare at the time - and may still be for all I know.) An aunt gently pointed out to her that Mothercare's interest in children was profit driven rather than altruistic, but it fell on deaf ears.

Fortunately my granddaughter is having a budget wedding – like all nuptials in the Penry family. I can remember having a wedding cake as a wedding present from an uncle who worked in a bakery – and very pleased I was to have it too! And a cousin offered to take twelve photos and get them developed and printed (but not framed) as another present.

For me the idea of everybody chipping in and helping is what weddings (and christenings, funerals etc., come to think of it) are all about. It’s not about who can spend the most. That doesn’t matter. That’s just gravy. It’s fine if you want it and you can really afford it. But it’s not essential. There are lots of ways to make do and save money without being mean and parsimonious.

Choosing the right person is essential, however. But how do we know who’s right for us? I haven’t a clue. It used to be said ‘Don’t rush.’ But Mr Penry and I had just a few weeks between meeting and tying the knot, so I’ve never been able to say that to my children!

Any ideas? Any advice, anyone?