Spring has sprung

Spring is definitely here, and this is how I know: the lizards are out!

They come out in the afternoons and sunbathe - but you only see them once the weather is warm enough. This little one has lost its tail, but it will grow back. I think they're amazing creatures.

The almond blossom is also out, another sign of spring:

I snapped this tree in someone's back garden on my daily walk around the village.

Today's sunset

It was quite misty this evening, but the colours are lovely. To the left is a mimosa tree.

Cook book recommendation - by Leila

I got hold of three River Cafe Pocket Books kind of by chance when I was living in Brussels. They weren't much use to me, either there or in the UK, because although the recipes are simple, the ingredients were either not easily available or, though available, weren't fresh or good enough to make the recipes work (mozarella, for example. Mozarella doesn't travel. Eat it south of Rome or not at all). But down here, they're perfect. I use them all the time. The recipes seem to be made for this area;; they use vegetables and herbs I can buy year-round, less than five minutes walk from my house, most of them are simple and quick to prepare, and taste delicious. So if you're planning to come down here and want a travel-sized cook book that you can really use, I recommend this series.

7th February - by Leila

We've decided to post about daily life here in Ascea as well as about the work produced here. So today was a beautiful warm sunny day. I sat on the balcony to work and even had to put the sun umbrella up when it got too hot. I also started putting some new plants on the balcony, mostly cyclamen. Dinner today: local fennel-flavoured sausages and roast potatoes with thyme, the same bunch I've been using for about two years! So long as you keep it dry, it lasts for ages.

Here's a photo I took on my walk the other day: the spring flowers are out already.

Justin MacGregor

Based on the true story of his grandfather, Justin MacGregor's "The Play That Killed Me" had its world premiere at The Lowry from 23 September to 3 October. The play received four and five star reviews and was supported by Arts Council England.

In the photo, from left, Charles (Matthew Ganley), Peg (Jane Purcell), Hector (Gerry McLaughlin) and Liz (Scarlett Mack) contemplate the world in the years leading up to World War II.

Leila Rasheed

Leila Rasheed has a short story in "BUGGED: Writings from ovehearing", published by Bell Jar. The book is based on a mass eavesdropping by writers all over the U.K.

Lars Rydquist

Lars Rydquist is the editor of "Det sköna med skönlitteraturen: Introduktioner till den samtida litteraturen på Nobelbiblioteket", published by Svenska Akademien.