Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

March 2019 has got to be better than the month has been in previous years. In the last seven years, it's been the most difficult time, but I'm not letting that stop me.     Now, I'm raising money for Cancer Research UK by aiming to walk 10,000 steps a day. I know it's possible, because I've done it before, but my stomach issues have left me lacking energy.     This walk was more than 10,000 in Crete and it's my inspiration: However, this will be the location of much of March's steps - the fields around North Hertfordshire. If you would like to support me, please click here.

The issue of whether to ban the herbicide glyphosate continues to raise hackles around the scientific and non-scientific world.          The controversy is spreading like weeds. UK government minister (Therese Coffey) tweeted in August saying “Getting ready to deploy the amazing Roundup!” alongside a product image. She came under fire for acting more in the interests of the manufacturer Monsanto than those of the British public. At the same time, 1.3million people across Europe signed a petition to ban the herbicide glyphosate. In the autumn, the EU nevertheless renewed its approval for use for the next five years – with the UK among the 18 nations in favour of its use.      Glyphosate sprayed on weeds travels to the roots and blocks an enzyme. Without that enzyme, the weed fails to make the building blocks it needs to grow and withers to the ground. At this point, Monsanto says: “any remaining glyphoate is broken down in the soil into n...

A sunny February day spent in Cambridge ended up being very  productive.     Thanks to the team at Writers HQ and my fellow writers on the day, I hit a great total and broke the back of planning my second novel.     The first is languishing in the in-boxes of various agents but that's not stopping my ploughing on with the second.     So, I'm proud of my total and now on to some serious research to ensure this one is better and takes less than ten years to write!

Volunteering with Benslow Music Trust  is providing interesting and  immensely rewarding experiences.     This week, it was a Friday evening of piano duets from Francesca Leonardi and Nigel Clayton. In between the possibly predictable Mozart and Brahms (they did, after all, write some of the best piano music for four hands) there was the delightful Mother Goose Suite by Ravel.     The Ravel reminded me how much I loved his work when I was studying music at school and university. It also reminded me how little space there is between classical and jazz. The old adage - "There's only 12 notes" certainly holds true.     Two pianists at one piano is an interesting feat - musically and visually. I've seen concerts before with two grand pianos on stage, and that's wholly different.     Leonardi and Clayton performed beautifully and their encore of the Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody was inspired. I've only ever heard it as a solo piano piece b...

There's no way I could afford the original of this beautiful piece of artwork. But a print will do for now.     This is 'Movin' On' by Ed Gray , created as part of a stunning music video for Paul Weller.     So there's lots to love about it and I'm delighted to have a limited edition print (number 10!) on my wall. In the run-up to Valentine's Day tomorrow, it's particularly poignant, with so many images of love within the painting, as well as in PW's lyrics.     I've always liked Ed's work and this was sold in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust , which makes it even more valuable to me. The framing wasn't cheap, with non-reflective glass that will also protect the print from sun damage, and the blue brings out the colours of the art. Worth every penny.     If you want to see the creation of the original and just enjoy this beautiful video, you'll find it here .     Meanwhile, something about the song, the print and the video ...

I hated Kenneth Branagh's portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the 2018 Murder on the Orient Express botch-job. In one of the worst Christie adaptations I've ever seen, Branagh did nothing to improve on the action or the dialogue. However, his Shakespeare has definitely won me back.      This is from the man I LOVED in Frankenstein .     What worries me more is the impending release of Death on the Nile  with a reprise of the moustache, one assumes.     However, the preview screening of All Is True  - written by Ben Elton - gave me a hint, once more, of the actor I know Branagh to be. He makes an excellent William Shakespeare in what is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. It's like something from an art gallery, interposed with pastiches - that just about work - of great movies of the twentieth century.       No-one minds driving to Cambridge when you can enjoy the Arts Picturehouse on a windy Wednesday in Fe...