Now that the summer holidays are  giddily rolling by, it seems that everyone is talking about various trips and travels.. And, luckily for me (but perhaps not for you), I’m fresh back from 2 weeks holiday myself! I managed to pack a lot of different activities, friends and locations in, so let me be the first to roll out the dreaded holiday pics…….. (sorry)

My first stop was 10 days in SW France, at the edge of a small town, in the middle of nowhere between Caracassonne and the Pyrenees. Here is a view from the converted attic where I slept – which, only 5 years ago had a family of Screech owls living in it!! Who still perch and hunt nearby..

I heard the owl at night, but didn’t catch a glimpse! Our other neighbours were a field of sunflowers, my favourite..

 I then came home to celebrate my birthday, for which I received many treats – including a tea submarine, a banana cake with pink icing and some beautiful ‘Moomin’ treats!

..I could go on forever, but don’t worry – I won’t! Cos I’m not the only person who’s been talking about their holidays – John Boyne was on BBC Radio Scotland on Monday morning on the MacAulay & Co. Show, talking about his new children’s book, and… holiday destinations! This is a special interview previewing his appearance at Edinburgh Book Festival, where he’ll be talking about his new fairytale, NOAH BARLEYWATER RUNS AWAY. 

You can listen in here for John’s tips on lesser-known holiday towns, aswell as news and thoughts about his upcoming book !.. (His interview is 20mins in).

But beware, there are more where those holiday snaps came from….