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Swallow Notes, Questions and Queries
Welcome
http://www.horatioclare.co.uk/swallow.htm
Subject: New story


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Monday 24 December, 2012 02:43:52
Here's a story for children - and adults who enjoy being read to.
All best,
H
http://www.amazon.com/Stressed-Elephant-Horatio-children-ebook/dp/B00ASBB13G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356342864&sr=1-1

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Subject: LSE gig


Author:
Veronica (Wagner)
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Date Posted: Thursday 10 November, 2011 02:49:54
... please. I guess I should check on their website first ... duh!!!

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[> Subject: Spanish farm


Author:
Liz Hart (hillbilly)
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Date Posted: Friday 06 January, 2012 01:08:47

Hello again, I forgot to mention that we all "grew up" on a Spanish hill farm in the Province of Sevilla, far from tourism and any sort of city culture.

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Subject: Spanish farm


Author:
Liz Hart (hillbilly)
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Date Posted: Friday 06 January, 2012 01:04:20
Dear Horatio,
This isn't about birds but about your book Running for the Hills. I just can't tell you how so many of the things you wrote mirrored our own experience here, loving the mountain more than the man was one, your anxiety over your having to take on the responsibility of a father another. Are there many of us out there I wonder who decided where to make our "nest" for our children despite the reaction of the father. I have four amazing children, now in their 20s, they have gone through SO many similar experiences to you and Alexander without those terrible winters. I can tell you I was out there with your mum digging under the snow for her sheep. We were actually more abandoned than you and had very little contact with (aid worker!!)father. I can quite understand you seeing your mum as eccentric through your friends' eyes, goodness knows what village Spanish youngsters think/thought of me and our run down farm but in fact it has provided a "haven" for many of them throughout their youth. I hope you don't mind me writing to you but just had to. With best wishes for the New year, Liz Hart

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Subject: LSE gig


Author:
Veronica (Wagner)
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Date Posted: Thursday 10 November, 2011 02:47:45
Hi Horatio

Any idea how to book for the LSE gig?

Von

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Subject: Notes on Mabinogian


Author:
Veronica (W)
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Date Posted: Saturday 05 November, 2011 18:46:30
Hello Horatio,
First of all I want to apologise (again) for having to walk out of your workshop early, today. I was enjoying it so much - for one thing, I could listen to your voice all day! I am so disappointed that I missed the end. I look forward to reading your latest work. I also wanted to ask you more about the stories connected with Wales and the lake people. Gnash, gnash... another time! Are you likely to be doing any workshops in or around North London in the near future, please?

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[> Subject: Re: Notes on Mabinogian


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Tuesday 08 November, 2011 02:24:50
Hey Veronica!
How kind you are. It was a great workshop - at least I learned a lot, thanks to you lot - and we were sorry to lose you. I do hope you enjoy The Prince's Pen.. No London dates at the moment until March, when I will be speaking at the LSE on the 3rd...
All best, and thank you again,
H
>Hello Horatio,
>First of all I want to apologise (again) for having to
>walk out of your workshop early, today. I was
>enjoying it so much - for one thing, I could listen to
>your voice all day! I am so disappointed that I
>missed the end. I look forward to reading your latest
>work. I also wanted to ask you more about the stories
>connected with Wales and the lake people. Gnash,
>gnash... another time! Are you likely to be doing
>any workshops in or around North London in the near
>future, please?

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Subject: Your first two books


Author:
Jackie
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Date Posted: Thursday 08 September, 2011 04:59:43
Hi Horatio,

I have just finished reading your first to books, and just wanted to thank you. They are the best books I have read in years, your writing is so beautiful. I have just finished 'Truant,' and wanted to thank you for telling the truth about Cannabis. How many lost souls there must be out there as a result of that drug. I hope things are good for you now.

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[> Subject: Re: Your first two books


Author:
Horatio (Thank you!)
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Date Posted: Friday 09 September, 2011 00:23:52
Dear Jackie,

You make me a happy man. Thank you very much indeed for your extremely kind message. I am just delighted you liked the books. Truant is a bit of a moody beast, but if it strikes a chord then it has done its job.

I am well, thank you. Writing a book about ships and the sea - and currently at sea. We're not allowed alcohol on board, never mind anything else, so - very clear-headed at the moment.

I do hope this message finds you well in yourself, and thriving.

All very best to you, and thank you again,

Horatio

>Hi Horatio,
>
>I have just finished reading your first to books, and
>just wanted to thank you. They are the best books I
>have read in years, your writing is so beautiful. I
>have just finished 'Truant,' and wanted to thank you
>for telling the truth about Cannabis. How many lost
>souls there must be out there as a result of that
>drug. I hope things are good for you now.

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Subject: Rolling in the Hay


Author:
Mao (Russian)
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Date Posted: Wednesday 15 June, 2011 04:11:38
Howdy Mr Horatio, I hope you got back home ok? I forgot to leave for you a book at the festival and thought perhaps to post it to you instead. I'm anxious for you to read this very little known book by a very little known author, and also his short story, which is set in Verona, where I believe he once used to live. Please furnish me with the best P.O Box and I shall get it right out to you.

Bestest,

Mao

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Subject: crossed paths


Author:
Roan
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Date Posted: Monday 16 May, 2011 17:26:08
Hi Horatio.

I was telling a friend yesterday over coffee about some of the people I met traveling Africa. One of the characters I hadn't thought of in a while came back to mind... I remember meeting some Welsh guy chasing swallows, writing a book about it.
I thought the idea was pretty cool. Been meaning to look it up.

Um, we met in Livingstone, Zambia.
Dunno if you remember me, I was just some random kid from New Zealand hitching rides around Africa. We sat up late talking shit one night.
I havent read your book yet. I will. Anyway, I see you my friend.

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[> Subject: Re: crossed paths


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Tuesday 24 May, 2011 05:51:10
Roan!
What a pleasure! Of course I flipping remember you. There's a guy in the book you might recognise. It was an excellent crossed path. Where has yours taken you? Are you well? horatioclare@hotmail.com
Best to you,
H

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Subject: A Single Swallow


Author:
Carisse
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Date Posted: Monday 13 December, 2010 09:56:25
Dear Horatio

I have never read any travel writing before, but absolutely LOVED your book. I picked it up for the swallows, and couldn't put it down for Africa.

I am now planning my own journey to Namibia.

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[> Subject: Re: A Single Swallow


Author:
Rosie Brown (rosiebrown100@hotmail.com)
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Date Posted: Friday 11 March, 2011 05:10:42
>Dear Horatio
>
>I have never read any travel writing before, but
>absolutely LOVED your book. I picked it up for the
>swallows, and couldn't put it down for Africa.
>
>I am now planning my own journey to Namibia.
Being in love with swallows, I am loving this book. I am a poet and love your uplifting poetical writing style.I seem to have been bogged down this winter with many boring novels, this is just what I needed for a Spring cleaning of the soul!Thank you.

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Subject: Yours D.Telegraph 21.12.2010:spare a thought for birds


Author:
Dominic Bucheler (worried negative reaction)
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Date Posted: Wednesday 22 December, 2010 08:03:41
Article"All life and death at the feeder", re: Mr Clare states" NEVER MEAT OR POULTRY FATS" However the RSPB Web site advises: quote"FAT FROM COOKING IS BAD FOR BIRDS --
LARD AND BEEF SUET ON THEIR OWN ARE FINE AS THEY RESOLIDIFY
==========================================================
This could be of vital importance to provide calories for wild birds???= the opinion of a novice: regards:
Dominic

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[> Subject: Re: Yours D.Telegraph 21.12.2010:spare a thought for birds


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Friday 14 January, 2011 03:40:28
>Article"All life and death at the feeder", re: Mr
>Clare states" NEVER MEAT OR POULTRY FATS" However the
>RSPB Web site advises: quote"FAT FROM COOKING IS BAD
>FOR BIRDS --
>LARD AND BEEF SUET ON THEIR OWN ARE FINE AS THEY
>RESOLIDIFY
>=======================================================
>===
>This could be of vital importance to provide calories
>for wild birds???= the opinion of a novice: regards:
>Dominic
Thank you Dominic! It's a fair point.

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Subject: That August Institution


Author:
Sally Young (Still Smiling)
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Date Posted: Friday 12 March, 2010 07:01:01
Monday nightlectures at the RGS: Ondaatje Theatre not only full of white heads with accompanying coughs, splutters and explosive sneezes, but anticipation. Rarely has a lecturer without slides held such a diverse audience so spellbound. More, please, Horatio!

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Subject: great wee talk last night!


Author:
Elizabeth
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Date Posted: Tuesday 09 March, 2010 14:19:42
Great wee talk last night. Thank you!

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Subject: Hello


Author:
Shreya
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Date Posted: Tuesday 23 February, 2010 12:41:42
Hello Mr.Horatio Clare,

Greetings!

I am located in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and having faced the worst winter to hit the city in 19 yrs, your article in the daily telegraph, dated 17th Feb, "Snowdrops in flower, Sawallows in flight" was an amazing journey in itself.

A beauty that is less seen in journalistic writings. Welcoming the spring for the world in a way that brings a hope to al. Enamoured by your writings.

Kind Regards
Shreya.

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Subject: general


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Monday 21 December, 2009 14:47:00
Is there any reason why this shouldn't be an - a - blog? An 'interactive' blog? h xxx

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Subject: Swallow summer


Author:
Eleanor Watkins
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Date Posted: Sunday 23 August, 2009 12:27:40
Hi Horatio,
It was so nice meeting you at the Hay Festival in May, it quite made my week!
Since reading 'A Single Swallow', both of us have viewed our own nesting swallows with new eyes this summer. We watched the nest building, the sitting, hatching and feeding the growing youngsters and then had the great privelege of seeing the fledglings make their first tentative flutterings from the nest. The parents lined them up, first on a steel girder near the nest and then on a phone cable right outside my bedroom window. I stood inside the window on a level with them for ages, and began to feel what they were feeling, uncertainty about the big world, a bit unsteady on their perches, startled at movements of other birds and squirrels in the bushes, terror when a buzzard circled overhead or the cat prowled below. The parents worked so hard to keep them safe, dive-bombing the cat (and me too a few times), and more than once I saw a mob of swallows seeing off a buzzard! Once the youngsters were fending for themselves the parents set to and raised another family!
Today we saw maybe forty swallows circling and swooping around the barns and then sitting in rows on the wires - maybe planning their long journey to warmer climes. We'll miss them. Thank you for helping us to enjoy and appreciate these beautiful birds.
I hope you're well. Are you working on another book? I have one due out tomorrow.
Please feel free to stop by for a cup of tea any time you're in the area.
Best wishes,
Eleanor

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Subject: Radio 3 talk


Author:
John (Puzzled)
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Date Posted: Tuesday 11 August, 2009 09:36:20
Hello Horatio,
I'm an ex-pat living in Boston, and I loved your radio 3 talk. I listened to the podcast while cycling to work.
One thing: I totally understand why that American was reminded of Hawaii. I'm guessing she was thinking, (perhaps) of the coast road (360) to Hana, on Maui; waterfalls, lush greens, mosses, dark rock. Wales with the sun. It's the wetness. The islands of Hawaii are not all beaches and palms, thank god.

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Subject: swallows and hills


Author:
Eleanor
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Date Posted: Wednesday 29 July, 2009 03:55:36
I just wanted to express my appreciation for the two books of yours which I know: I have just returned from a campsite near St. Valerie, N. France, teeming with swallows which were nesting in every available space (even inside the gents' loos), and watched them ducking and diving in their scores whilst reading your wonderful African adventure. What a fortunate choice of holiday reading - but it was not entirely coincidental: two years ago, I read 'Running for the Hills' because I, too, was brought up in the Brecon Beacons, though in a village rather than a remote farm. Reading it was like shedding years in days and stepping back into my own childhood which, like yours, was free, happy and outward-bound until I was sent away to school in '83. I think there is something about having lived in and having loved that part of the world which heightens the senses and makes you feel alive in the present - I still feel weightlessness and excitement whenever I go back there which I don't experience to the same degree anywhere else. But my hat off to you for your remarkable ability to put into words everything I will always feel about those hills.

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Subject: a single swallow


Author:
Con J.Lynch (concerned)
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Date Posted: Tuesday 14 July, 2009 12:18:48
Hi Horatio,read your book a single swallow,really enjoyed it,I live in the south west of Ireland and we are also blessed with barn swallows,I believe the blasket islands off the west coast of kerry is one of their most remote nesting spots.I am concerned for your health after that gruelling trip,it was epic reading but I hope you have recovered from the ordeal,the world needs more of your style.

Good Luck,

Con.

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Subject: Swallow


Author:
Stewart
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Date Posted: Thursday 02 July, 2009 02:43:13
Born-again birder, a few days away from my sixtieth birthday, I found your book in the natural history section of a bookshop. It should be in every section. And in amongst the swifts overhead this morning, one swallow. I'm re-evaluating my life. Thank you.

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Subject: a question about swallows


Author:
Janette
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Date Posted: Wednesday 17 June, 2009 01:57:17
Hi Horatio
My husband Brian and I both so enjoyed your book A Single Swallow. He heard you on the radio and we just had to get the book. We live up in the Perthshire hills and usually have quite a population of swallows. We watch the young ones have their flying lessons before they all gather on the wires then take off for the winter. We look out for them in Spring as avidly as we listen for our first cuckoo.
3 years ago a pair of swallows built a nest on the front of our summer house - the first attempt fell off, but they persevered and went on to have two clutches of chicks. We always wondered if it was the same pair returning. Anyway, this summer we've had a bit of a disaster - The pair appeared, flirted and courted, did some repairs to the nest and we thought all was well, but then 2 weeks ago our male disappeared. You've no idea how poignant your book title is to us now, as we watch our single swallow - the lone female - sit and chatter on the wires. She's there every day from first light to dusk - and seems to be keeping an eye on the nest, but her partner is gone. We're so sad for her. Brian checked the nest and found cold, abandoned eggs. Do you know if this is a common occurence? And is she likely to find another suitor before the end of the summer? Time seems to be running out for her.
Thanks for writing such a beautiful, absorbing book - we feel inspired to try your other books now too!
All the very best, Janette & Brian Kidd

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Subject: amazing


Author:
sian walker
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Date Posted: Tuesday 16 June, 2009 11:07:50
Hey Horatio, Just wanted to say how amazing running for the hills and truant are and I am halfway through the single swallow book,Im the young lady that you signed the books for in Hay on Wye in May,(you knew people in castlemartin). You are an amazing writer and person and I wish i could come and see you again. I am an artist in my spare time and would love to be able to paint in the way you write. My best mate is a writer and has a few things published. Be good to hear from you and let me know if you have any more dates in wales so I can come and see you again, your inspiring.sian

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Subject: Welcome


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Monday 29 September, 2008 09:00:33
Hullo. Got a question about a book? Or about a swallow? Let me at it... H x

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[> Subject: Re: Welcome


Author:
Louise Denyer
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Date Posted: Thursday 02 October, 2008 14:41:50
Hi Horatio!

I'm currently reading "Running for the Hills" and am simply amazed at how you manage to recall your childhood so vividly and poetically. Any tips for a fellow writer with an appalling memory for all things past?!

Also, are you on Facebook? Quite a good way to generate a buzz about your work (if it needs it, that is).

Best wishes,
Louise :o)

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[> [> Subject: Re: Welcome


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Monday 06 October, 2008 00:29:39
Hello Louise!
Thank you for this. I spent one afternoon looking through a huge pile of photographs which my father had taken, and then there was an old reel of home movie, and then there were my parents' diaries - all gold-dust, as aides memoire. For the following book, Truant (which was about a more recent period, but one which, for various reasons, was harder to 'see') I spent a while in the National Newspaper Library in Colindale, north London. It's amazingly helpful and comprehensive. For a flavour of what was happening in your area in the period you are writing about you could contact them and ask if they have your local paper... assuming you were in the UK! It really is like looking into the entrails of past time...the small ads and listings etc..
Yes, I am on Facebook!
All best to you,
Horatio

>Hi Horatio!
>
>I'm currently reading "Running for the Hills" and am
>simply amazed at how you manage to recall your
>childhood so vividly and poetically. Any tips for a
>fellow writer with an appalling memory for all things
>past?!
>
>Also, are you on Facebook? Quite a good way to
>generate a buzz about your work (if it needs it, that
>is).
>
>Best wishes,
>Louise :o)

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Welcome


Author:
Louise Denyer
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Date Posted: Monday 06 October, 2008 14:28:54
Hello again!

Thanks for your reply, which was gratefully received. You were very fortunate to have such great source material to work from and presumably also relied on the memories of your parents too?

I'm currently planning a "fictional autobiography". Basically, I've always wanted to write and for a long time did not know where I was going to plot my course, so to speak. But then this summer I went on holiday to the Peak District and the blindingly obvious came to me, which has set my mind whirling about all the possibilities open to me. We all have demons and pasts that we need to reconcile ourselves with and writing is one of the few ways that I can do that.

Although my heroine is an adult, to an extent I need to explore the child within her and I guess what I was getting at with my previous message to you was that I admired the way that you had connected with the child that you were and were able to vividly recreate the way you saw the world back then.

Yes, I am UK-based and my book is going to be set in Suffolk, which is my "spiritual" home, as well as a number of other locations both in this country and abroad.

I added "Truant" to my Amazon wish list the other day in the hope that my brother will buy it for my birthday!

Thanks ever so for the tip about the Newspaper Archive. I imagine that will be very helpful in my quest to create a true sense of place.

Kind regards,

Louise


>Hello Louise!
>Thank you for this. I spent one afternoon looking
>through a huge pile of photographs which my father had
>taken, and then there was an old reel of home movie,
>and then there were my parents' diaries - all
>gold-dust, as aides memoire. For the following book,
>Truant (which was about a more recent period, but one
>which, for various reasons, was harder to 'see') I
>spent a while in the National Newspaper Library in
>Colindale, north London. It's amazingly helpful and
>comprehensive. For a flavour of what was happening in
>your area in the period you are writing about you
>could contact them and ask if they have your local
>paper... assuming you were in the UK! It really is
>like looking into the entrails of past time...the
>small ads and listings etc..
>Yes, I am on Facebook!
>All best to you,
>Horatio
>

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Welcome


Author:
Mags (Refelctive)
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Date Posted: Thursday 01 January, 2009 09:15:57
Hello Horatio
Wow .... I loved Running for the Hills .
I depicted so closely my experiences of being brought up on a Hill farm in South Wales in the 70's and 80's.
it was such a mixture of wild independence and sever restrictions .....
I had picked up your book in second hand shop and was amazed to find so much of my own history ... I am definitely interested to read more of your work.
Best wishes for your future work ...
I would love any correspondence but do appreciate how busy you must be.
I live on the Isle of Man at the moment , there are tremendous opportunities to write about an isolated society here !!

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[> Subject: Re: Welcome


Author:
Charles Buckland (energetic)
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Date Posted: Tuesday 19 May, 2009 07:25:23
>Hullo. Got a question about a book? Or about a
>swallow? Let me at it... H x
I want to buy the book - A Single Swallow; Following an Epic Journey from South Africa to South Wales... Amazon.com don't stock it and Barns and Noble don't have it...Help

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[> [> Subject: Re: Welcome


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Friday 12 June, 2009 11:21:53
It is not published in America, sadly, hence no Barnes and Nobel copies, but it is available to readers in the US via amazon.co.uk
All best,
H

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[> Subject: Re: Welcome


Author:
Jean Shone
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Date Posted: Thursday 11 June, 2009 14:51:40
>Hullo. Got a question about a book? Or about a
>swallow? Let me at it... H x
Hi Horatio
Have just finished reading a Single Swallow which I greatly enjoyed as I've often watched the swallows from where we live in North Wales.
In the book you mention a new book'Ten Walks In Algiers' - has this been published or will it be soon?
Many thanks
Regards
Jean

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[> [> Subject: Re: Welcome


Author:
Horatio
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Date Posted: Friday 12 June, 2009 11:19:49
>>Hullo. Got a question about a book? Or about a
>>swallow? Let me at it... H x
>Hi Horatio
>Have just finished reading a Single Swallow which I
>greatly enjoyed as I've often watched the swallows
>from where we live in North Wales.
>In the book you mention a new book'Ten Walks In
>Algiers' - has this been published or will it be soon?
>Many thanks
>Regards
>Jean

Hello Jean
I'm delighted you enjoyed the book - thank you! The walks in Algiers book is only published in French, but if you read French it is an absolute treat.
It's called 10 balades a Algers and it's by Philomene Bonne. You can get it through the Amazon.fr site - and it's beautifully illustrated.
All best wishes,
Horatio

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