My Weekend: City of love would be my choice of a break away - just like characters in my new book

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work; 

I’m Lynda Marron and I love books, bees, tulips, and cheese toasties.

I live in Bishopstown with my husband, Michael, our four mostly-grown children, and a neurotic cockapoo called Charlie.

At school, I genuinely believed that I was destined to be a microbiologist. That lasted right up to the end of my first month of working in a laboratory.

I didn’t have the grit for it. So, when I was offered the chance to abscond to Italy and teach English, I jumped at it. Later on, I worked part-time as a GP’s secretary and as a reviewer of books, but mostly I’ve been a stay-at-home mammy for 25 years. I moaned a lot along the way, but to be honest, I’ve always loved a bit of finger-painting.

Looking back, I can’t think of anything I could have done that would have made me happier. In 2017, my husband took me to Paris for our twentieth wedding anniversary and I was inspired to write a novel.

I went at it hell for leather and it only took me five years to write it.

And now, at the grand old age of 51¾, I’m a debut author, a novelist, and feel like I’ve just figured out what it is I was meant to be.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

God help the fool who hopes to lure me from my armchair on a Friday night! Give me fine cheese, a large glass of Rioja, and a black and white film starring Gregory Peck.

 Alright, reality is more like a mug of tea, two chocolate digestives and a repeat of Home of the Year, but you get my drift.

Lie-ins or up with the lark ... which is it for you?

I try hard to lie-in, but it never happens. The best I can manage is to wake at the crack of dawn and then read in bed until guilt gets the better of me.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

I’m writing in my head all the time, so yes, but I don’t open my computer at the weekend unless there’s a crisis. I do, however, pen notes-to-self on bookmarks, backs of envelopes, my hands…

If money was no object, where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

Paris, always Paris. Michael and I have done Paris on a fraying shoestring, so I have an enduring fantasy of staying at the penthouse of the George V, dining at Guy Savoy, and then spending whatever’s left on paintings and ultra-chic tat from the flea markets.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

We have it sussed: an early drive to the Dock in Kinsale, a quick swim and/or walk the dog, depending on the weather, then fish and chips al fresco from the van at the bridge and finally a browse around Prim’s bookshop. The perfect day out.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Eh, no. Of course I do, as long as they’re willing to in on the Perfect Day Out (see above) or, alternatively, read quietly in the garden.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I have a garden, but I’m trying my best not to garden it. I’m trying to learn from Mary Reynolds and leave it to the bees. The hardest gardening I’ve ever done is to just let it be. I read, obviously, but that’s more of a need than a hobby.

I knit and crochet, in a useless sort of way. I make big colourful things, like scarves and blankets.

Oh, and I’ve got good at pretending to watch the rugby. I’ll figure out what a rolling maul is any day now.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter, do you have a signature dish?

We entertain. I do a leg of lamb in the wood-oven in the back garden, smoky roast potatoes, and inevitably a bit of ash on the carrots. And my daughter’s pavlova is legendary.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork – where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

I’m a regular at Beantown on Model Farm Road for the very best coffee and bagels. Léa’s at The Glucksman is great for lunch, and Café Paradiso is always a treat for a special meal.

Sunday night comes around too fast ... how do you normally spend it?

Wondering where all the lids of all the lunchboxes went.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

Monday morning starts at 7 a.m. to the dulcet tones of Marty Whelan on Lyric FM. My tiny bedside radio might be the best present I ever got.

Last Chance in Paris by Lynda Marron

EVENT

Lynda will talk about her writing and publishing journey at 2pm on Saturday, April 27in the City Library on Grand Parade as part of the 20th Cork World Book Fest.

ABOUT HER BOOK

Last Chance in Paris, by Lynda Marron is the story of a Cork couple doing their best to enjoy a romantic weekend in Paris. With an eclectic cast of characters and a whole lot of heart, this is a properly romantic novel about love that endures through every trial and a testament to the limitless power of human kindness.

Available now from shops and libraries.