Our latest contribution to the Writers Open House is the sixth this year from our loyal supporter and respected author, Ronald Mackay. It is an inspiring piece of memoir entitled Triumph! and you can read it here.

Normally, at this time of year we would be closing our writing feature to entries, but as you may have noticed from the guidelines, this year we are remaining open to contributions until further notice. I therefore look forward to reading stories from those of you that have not been able to get involved before (and more from those that already have).

Ronald Mackay 

To escape the European winter, Ronald and Viviana return to the village in Tenerife where he spent his 18th year in 1960-1961. In Buenavista del Norte, they enjoy friendships old and new. Many are the children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren of Ronald’s original friends. Ronald is always alert to stories. Villagers sometimes provide him with new ideas.

Currently, he’s writing several stories about people and incidents in and around the village. All have a local flavor but share broad implications for people and lives lived anywhere in the world.
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Viviana and Ronald, Voorburg, June 2025
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It is a privilege today to welcome back well-known author, Jackie Lambert, to Fred's Blog with her first contribution to the Writers Open House. In the past we have had the pleasure of including many of her stories on the blog and in our annual anthologies.

This submission is a modified excerpt of a chapter from Jacqueline’s upcoming book, More Manchester Than Mongolia: An Unexpected Road Trip Through Back Road Britain, due for publication towards the end of 2025.

You can read Jackie's story, Malmesbury: A Flying Monk, A Fallen Spire, & England’s Forgotten Capital here.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Lambert is an award-winning travel writer, full-time nomad, and dogmother, who loves history and curious facts.

B.C. (Before Canines) she hurtled, slid, submerged and threw herself off bits of every continent except Antarctica. Even though she was single at the time, she asked for – and was granted – 'maternity leave' to backpack around Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.

A.D. (After Dog), with husband Mark, she gave up work to become an Adventure Caravanner. With The Fab Four, their four pups in tow, their stated aim is: To Boldly Go Where No Van Has Gone Before.

Jackie has published six light-hearted memoirs about her travels since quitting work: Fur Babies in France, Dog on the Rhine, Dogs ‘n’ Dracula, It Never Rains But It Paws, To Hel In A Hound Cart, and Pups on Piste.

Her seventh book, Building The Beast, is the first in her Wayward Truck series. It chronicles her Brexit-busting plan to convert a 24.5-tonne 6x4-wheel drive army truck into an off-grid home-on-wheels fit to drive to Mongolia. Subsequent books will follow The Beast’s adventures.

A keen off piste skier and windsurfer, Jackie is the wordsmith behind her own travel blog, and author website. She has contributed to several anthologies, and also writes guest articles and posts for various magazines and international blogs.

Connect with her via the links below:
Amazon: author.to/JacquelineLambert
Blog: www.WorldWideWalkies.com
Author Website: www.JacquelineLambert.co.uk

Author Jacqueline Lambert - with her award winning book & medal
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The next contribution to the Writers Open House is the first this year from a regular contributor to this blog and our anthologies, Susan Mellsopp.

You can read Susan's story Mirrors to Windows and Words here.

Susan Mellsopp is happily retired and lives in Hamilton New Zealand. She has recently received her fourth guide dog, Gypsy, who is a large golden labrador. Much of her life has been spent on dairy farms, also working as a librarian, archivist, and accessible transport researcher. She runs a writers group and attends workshops by well-known New Zealand authors. Susan has published two school histories, written for an alumni magazine, and now writes for a national magazine for the over 50’s which is published monthly. She is a voracious reader, loves to listen to classical music and attend concerts, cook, spend time with friends, use modern technology and grow roses.   

It is a pleasure to welcome back Kath Delgado with her second published story in the Writers Open House.

You can read We never really know do we? here.

Kath Delgado was born in north east Nigeria, raised in the rugged Scottish Borders, went to university in beautiful Edinburgh and equally beautiful Dundee. She trained and had the immense fortune to work in her chosen career of physiotherapy for many years after which she ventured into management roles. She loves people and their backstories. Having never written anything except on Facebook, ‘Home’ was her first ever submission and this story ‘We never really know do we?’ is her second.
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