A Story Behind The Coal Trucks

I’ve added something a little different to the blog.

I was pleased to be involved with the exciting coal trucks installation near the beach in Saundersfoot

This is a short illustrated story inspired by the installation and Saundersfoot’s coal-mining past and by the idea that places remember more than we think they do. It’s written for children — but like most good children’s stories, it’s really for anyone who enjoys history, imagination, and the quiet magic of familiar places.

The story lives on its own Page, so it can be read slowly, just as it was meant to be.

👉 Read the story here: James & The Time Tunnel.

If you’re local, you may recognise some of the details.
If you’re not, I hope it still feels like somewhere worth visiting.

Comments

Woman At The Window

A Short Story She insisted on a window seat as she bustled into the café from the damp, cobbled streets. Even though the only unoccupied table was laid for four covers, she quickly made her way over to it. After removing her dripping raincoat, she placed it on the back of the corner-most chair and sat down. Barely visible from the dreary street, she sat turned in towards the café, yet continuously glanced through the picture window at the busy road outside. Waiting for someone, maybe. Could they see her? Maybe she wanted them to pass by. Why? She wasn’t what you’d call a pretty woman, but certainly not unattractive. She had olive skin and was smartly dressed in black trousers with stylish calf-length leather boots. Her rust-coloured jumper was a little baggy, but the colourful scarf was a well-considered accessory, giving a much-needed splash of colour. Her wavy, shoulder-length dark brown hair hadn’t fared well in the damp weather — slightly tousled and wet. The glasses she to...

Welcome to Tides and Crimes

Welcome, and thank you for finding your way here. Tides and Crimes is a space I’ve created to share my short stories — something I’ve been quietly writing for a long time, but have only recently found the confidence to place into the world. This blog is not about perfection, labels, or fitting neatly into one genre. It’s about stories. Here you’ll find a mixture of fiction: mysteries, thoughtful pieces, children’s tales, and stories inspired by real places, real moments, and the questions that linger after them. Some are shaped by coastal landscapes and quiet corners; others wander much further afield. What they all have in common is a starting point in curiosity, imagination, or lived experience. I’ll also occasionally share notes about where ideas come from — not to explain the stories, but to offer a glimpse into the moment that first sparked them. This blog is very much a journey. New stories will appear as they’re written, and I hope that over time Tides and Crimes bec...

The Tides We Bury

I’m currently working on a novel set on the Welsh coast — a place of routine, community, and unspoken understanding. The Tides We Bury is a story about reinvention, loyalty, and what happens when the past decides it’s done waiting. More to come. You’re very welcome to follow the blog for future posts and stories

Coastal Crimes & Stories

Search This Blog