It seems fitting that I’m sitting in The Airman in Henlow, not too far away from Old Warden and Shuttleworth and even more of a coincidence that Google have a picture of Amelia Earhart on their search page to celebrate her 115th birthday. She disappeared in 1937 in her attempt to be the first women pilot to fly around the world.
Why am I in The Airman? BT have decided that it will take until 5pm on Thursday to fix both my phone and internet. Yesterday I tried unsuccessfully to find a local internet cafe. I spent an hour in the local library which helped, but in order to use my own laptop, in desperation I drove to Baldock Services. It was on the way home that I noticed The Airman.
Being a pub, restaurant, hotel close to Shuttleworth and Henlow Base and Henlow Airfield it was a perfect spot to decamp to. In fact, in the pre lunch time hour it has been calm and peaceful and I’m tempted to stay to lunch.
What have I learnt through this frustration without the internet and now Sans telephone too? Firstly I have focussed on my other project, a biography of a wonderful gentleman who is 102, since I feel the urgency to complete it this summer. Secondly I have learnt not to give up. In order to make arrangements and market your novel effectively you need both the inernet and a telephone, but with a little resourcefulness another way can be found!
Next posts will ‘Booksigning at Shuttleworth’ and ‘Exciting Events in the Southampton Area 2nd to 4th August.’
Diana Jackson 