Forget the Celebrities: Read about MY Crazy Life

MY Crazy Life: The Amulet of Oxmosis

When I am asked the most memorable thing that I can remember from my childhood days,

I am always in no doubt as to what this actually is. I was ten years of age-I can still remember

it so clearly - and we were on holiday in Ireland, out walking, taking a stroll on a wonderful

stretch of deserted coastline. As I walked along, ahead of my parents and brother and sister,

the view beneath my feet absolutely enthralled me. I marvelled at the rocks, the pools, the

seaweed, in fact everything.

Suddenly my attention was drawn away from this natural wonder, to something decidedly

manmade, reflecting the suns rays back up to me. I bent down, wondering what it could

possibly be, and was astonished to find an exquisite golden-coloured locket and chain,

half hidden in the beach debris. I picked it up, studying its detail.

I was enthralled by what I had found, and I was amazed at how heavy, highly detailed and

exquisitely crafted it was. I inspected it further. On one side of the locket there were five

small glass domes surrounding a larger one. Beneath each of the smaller domes a lock

of human hair had been carefully inserted, while under the central, larger dome two locks

of hair had been carefully positioned. Turning the locket over, I saw seven names carefully

engraved onto the golden coloured surface. And believe me, at ten years of age something

like that really gets your imagination going!

Was it an amulet? I wondered. Well, in my mind at that tender age it most certainly was.

Some people have asked was it an inspiration for The Amulet of Oxmosis that I featured in

my children’s novel Wot, Nott, Kakuri and the HU BA HOU. The only thing I can say to that

is, “Read the story and see for yourself…”

You can email me with your thoughts and comments: