Thank You, Next!

I know the Exhibition isn't live yet, but there is a LOT going on next week that I really can't afford to ignore any more. It is time to begin organising myself for what happens next. That means I've just ordered two t-shirts with the lettering above and a QR code that sends people to my Instagram where they can follow what I'm doing. Next up is the same to help me sell pamphlets.

I then need to finalise the travel routes. You can see on the header graphic above the markers for the vast majority of the Trail are concentrated in one small area, so this should not be as much of a drama as I'd considered it might be. There's a part of my brain that also would like this done in seven days so I can start writing but to do that will require more preparation than has currently taken place.

The database has become my saviour. I'm not proud of this, as there's a large part of me that thinks it should be able to do it all without having to track data, but it is the easier way. We also ought to do it numerically as well, just because I can. If you are local to me and reading this and want to come be on the Trail with me, this is your scheduled reminder to let me know so we can organise meeting up.

This is also a wider message to everyone here that I'm doing other stuff during the Trail as well, because I am a masochist and if I'm not working I'm dying on the inside. There are still some reader slots free for this on Zoom but MORE IMPORTANTLY there are a TON of audience spaces so why not come along and listen to Claire read, because she's a legend and I'd love to see you as well.

The Elephant in the Room July Signup Form

This event is being hosted on Zoom on Tuesday, July 7th, 2026, from 7.30pm. Your hosts are Barbara Kirbyshaw and Emma Clowsley. [Zoom operated by S. Reeson] Please enter you name and email address, and indicate if you would rather be a reader or an audience member.

Google Docs

For my local poetry mates, The Poetry Social Club convenes the day after this, and I'll be looking for interest into reading at a local library for National Poetry Day, which this year is on Thursday 1st October. So if you are interested, you'll either need to grab me here on the night or poke me in my Instagram messages to register your interest. I'll get around to doing a proper post after Sunday.

We will also do our best to keep you guys more up to date on everything post-Trail. I have gigs already booked for Forest Management, for instance (which reminds me of at least one thing that needs to go on next week's To Do List) plus there are other things I'm involved in that you will get to know about. For now, this is enough, and I am too hot, plus this blog has now taken me seven hours to write.

It might well be time for a lie down.