Mel Parish's Blog

After a delay of a year due to health issues, I'm delighted to announce the release of book 6 in the Detective Rigby Series: So Many Lies.

Available on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPRNZ114

Print version will be available on March 1, 2026.

Cover design: Jonny Gillard

The small town of Lewisville wakes to heartbreak: two teenagers dead from drug overdoses in a single night.
For Detective Paul Rigby, it’s a devastating turning point. Months spent chasing non-fatal cases have hit countless roadblocks, but now the stakes have never been higher.

Teaming up with the relentless Detective Harper, they embark on a race against time to uncover the truth behind the deadly drugs and their source. But as they dig deeper, they are met with a web of lies from the victims and their friends, each revelation leading them down a twisted path. The investigation takes a new turn when the chief of police brings in an outside task force. As tensions simmer between the local detectives and the outsiders, Rigby and Harper press on, determined to solve the case before another life is lost.

With the clock ticking and the pressure mounting, can they untangle the truth before it’s too late?

Haven't met Detective Rigby yet? He's a young small-town detective struggling to navigate the challenges of a demanding career against a backdrop of personal loss, love and family.

"puts you into the head of the main character and doesn't let you go" - Amazon reviewer

 

To celebrate the release of the 6th book in the series, until Sunday March 1st, you can check out the first in the series, The Anniversary, on Kindle for only $0.99 (UK £0.99) 

Buy Links are also available on the Series Page

 

On Day 2 on The West Highland Way, we were rather hoping for sunshine as our journey would take us across Rannoch Moor which my guide book, The West Highland Way by Terry Marsh had a rather dire warning about - "In the right conditions, it is quite simply a wonderland, but one that could become a nightmare with any adverse change to the conditions."  Given the unpredictability of Scottish weather and the knowledge that if there was a thunderstorm there was absolutely nowhere to shelter I could only hope that the cloudy skies were the worst the day would bring. 

We left the Bridge of Orchy village by road, appropriately enough over the stone bridge across the River Orchy which gave the area its name. It was built in 1750 by the British Army following the 1746 Battle of Culloden. Looking back gave us a view of the village nestled in the trees, the last habitation we'd see for several hours.

It is possible to stay on the narrow road until you reach the beginning of Rannoch Moor, an easier walk if you are feeling tired, but as this was only our second day, we had no excuse for not taking the more scenic route. 

Fortunately, the path winds mostly around the mountains (or Munros as they are called in Scotland if they are over 3,000 feet) rather than up them, though there is a gentle rise in gradient on this stage of the walk.
Substantial deforestation has taken place in the highlands and we constantly came across areas such as below where the tree stumps and discarded dead limbs create the feeling that you are walking through a tree graveyard. 



But the lack of trees does mean that the views stretch on for miles unhindered giving wonderful views of lochs such as Loch Tulla. 



Or the path ahead stretching on and on and on into the distance!

A glimpse of civilization in the distance is always a nice reminder that you're on the right path even if it is still a long way off. 

Civilization turns out to be the Inveroran Hotel which looks a delightful place to stay but was not far enough along the route from Bridge of Orchy to justify an overnight stay in our case. 

It does have a shop so we were able to stock up on lunch supplies and water. We were going to sit outside and eat but the midgies (swarming small flies which are incredibly annoying and bite) forced us to retreat inside. Midgies are a known Scottish problem in the summer but generally the midgie season is considered to start late May so we'd hoped we'd get our walk in beforehand. The guy serving in the shop told us that this year they'd appeared early. Just our luck. 



From the hotel, the path is a well-paved road.

We had been hoping to see some Highland cows on our journey, but had to make do with these guys. Not quite as cute. 

Next up was the Forest Lodge, which used to be a hunting lodge but is now apparently owned by the Glencoe Ski Club and rented out in summer months. It looked deserted when we passed by.

Just after the Lodge, the Way follows an old drovers path which crosses Rannoch Moor. We were now at a point at which we were going to be out in the open until we arrived at our overnight stop. The sky was still cloudy but at least they were white clouds.

The crushed stone road was not easy on the feet so whenever possible we stuck to the flattened wheel tracks or the grass verge. 

Despite the lack of blue sky which always makes everything look different, the views were still awe-inspiring. 




But then the inevitable happened. It started to rain. Luckily we were well prepared. Because there was still a long way to go. 

But no sooner had we got the ponchos on, then the rain stopped. I was tempted to keep mine on in an attempt to ward off further downpours but while great for keeping you dry, they do make you rather hot. 

Luckily, that was all the rain we had to contend with for the day. A lucky escape! Though still no sun. We spotted our first snow on the mountains. Still there even in May. 


All this landscape. So few people. The sense of solitude is amazing. 

Even when you can see others up ahead.


By this point the rocky road was getting quite tiring. I can only imagine what it's like for those who have started the walk from the beginning and are on their fifth or sixth day at this point.
Finally, we saw a sign for our destination for the evening. The Glencoe Mountain Resort. 

This time our accommodation for the night wasn't a bunk house, but a Pod. My daughter thought it looked like a Hobbit House. 




Cozy and private, and with sleeping bags for hire, it was all we needed for the night. There was only the two of us, but there was actually room for four!

There were showers and toilets nearby and, the other essential in Scotland, a drying room. We were thankful we didn't need to use the latter. There is also an on-site cafe serving food and alcohol although it is only open until 8pm in the evening. Still, by that time, after all the fresh air and exercise, a big dinner and a glass of wine, we were ready to call it a day.
Another great day on the walk. (12.4 miles according to my phone.)
Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense and the Detective Rigby series.For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.

I'm delighted to announce the release of the latest book in the Detective Rigby series - Long Shot. Available in both print and e-book.

Click here to purchase
cover design: Jonny Gillard

As snow falls and the holiday seasonapproaches, Detective Rigby is faced with one of the most daunting cases of hiscareer. A tragic hit-and-run accident has taken the life of a young mother,leaving behind shattered lives and unanswered questions.

As a new father, Rigby’s heart achesfor the grieving family and he is determined to bring the driver to justice,but as he delves deeper into the investigation, he finds himself drawn into aweb of deceit that threatens to overwhelm him.

Torn between his duty as a detectiveand his responsibilities to his own family, Rigby struggles to balance thedemands made on him as he pushes himself to the limit to bring a sense ofclosure to the victim’s family. But as the days tick down to Christmas and theemotional toll of the case becomes evident, Rigby must decide whether hisrelentless pursuit of truth is worth the personal cost. 

Haven't met Detective Rigby yet? He's a young small-town detective struggling to navigate the challenges of a demanding career against a backdrop of personal loss, love and family.

"puts you into the head of the main character and doesn't let you go" - Amazon reviewer

 

To celebrate the release of the 5th book in the series, until Saturday, September 16th you can check out the first in the series, The Anniversary, on Kindle for only $0.99 (UK £0.99) 

Book 2 - Old Habits Die Hard is also on sale until Saturday for $2.99 (UK £1.99). 

Buy Links are also available on the Series Page

On a trip to the UK this spring, I managed to fit in some hiking with my daughter on the West Highland Way which runs from Milngavie to Fort William in Scotland. The whole route is 96 miles, but as we only had  a limited time to walk and we didn't want to turn the trip into an endurance test, we decided to do approximately half the walk - from Tyndrum to Fort William over four days.

Our first day was a relatively short walk from Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy ( 7 miles) as the morning was spent getting to Tyndrum by train and while the nights are light in Scotland in May, we didn't particularly want to be walking in the evening. 

Originally, we had planned to carry all our belongings, but at the last minute I decided to go for a baggage service Baggage Freedom to carry all but the essentials. I can't tell you what a difference this made to our experience! They were there, as arranged, to meet our train at Tyndrum station and collect the bag, and the ensuing drop-off and pick-ups from our various overnight accommodation went without a hitch. I'd highly recommend them.

After a quick stop at The Green Welly Stop to stock up on supplies for the day (mostly chocolate) it was time to set off.  The path is well sign-posted from the village and relatively flat.

Not far from the village we came across a cottage with some interesting wood sculptures outside:

And further along the trail we saw some black sheep. At this point the path is fairly close to the A82, a fairly busy road. 


But we soon lost sight of the traffic and with temperatures around 60 degrees, it was a perfect day for walking a long distance. As long as those clouds didn't turn grey. The weather is unpredictable in Scotland so you have to be prepared for all types of weather. 


This being Scotland there's no shortage of burns:


At this point the path is very easy to follow:

It's not all flat though:

There's a steep descent to the tunnel underneath the Glasgow-Fort William railway line. 




What surprised me is how few trees there are. It's quite bleak on a gray day, but in a beautiful way.

And then suddenly there was masses of yellow gorse lining the path. 


Sometimes it felt as if we were the only ones on the Way, but an occasional look back would show that we were not alone. 

I'm in two minds about whether being able to see the path stretch out ahead is a good thing. Yes, it means you're not likely to get lost, but it can also be a little daunting about how far there is still to go!


The soundtrack for our walk was mostly the bleating of lambs. They certainly can be noisy!

And finally from the path, we saw our destination for the night - The Bridge of Orchy railway station. 

No, we were not getting on a train. The station depot on the platform has been turned into a bunkhouse for ten people. As it happened the night we stayed there were nine females and one man! Fortunately the guy was traveling with two of the women so hopefully he didn't feel too outnumbered. Helen, who runs the West Highland Way Sleeper  was charming and very helpful. 



And yes, the station is still in use. But if any trains went by overnight I certainly didn't hear them!
 

By the time we'd settled into the bunkhouse, it was time to walk down the road to the village (population 152) for a well deserved drink and dinner at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.



All in all, a great start to our first day.
Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense and the Detective Rigby series.For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.

with a zoom lens you can see the castle from Seahouses.For our last day on the Northumberland Coastal Path, we had planned a relatively short walk from Seahouses to Bamburgh in order to have plenty of time to visit Bamburgh Castle, one of the main attractions of the trip, and allow for the long bus journey back to Newcastle. 

I felt rather envious of the horse riders. That must be a fun place to ride.  

The path out of Seahouses runs between the main coast road and North Sunderland Beach for a short while then veers to the right, away from the road. It then stays so close to the coastline you can choose whether to stay on the path or walk on the beach. 

The weather in the area is known for being unpredictable but that day it seemed to be going from overcast to sunny every ten minutes. 
Looking back toward Seahouses. What happened to the blue sky?
A short rocky section separates North Sunderland Beach from Bamburgh Beach.

 
Once past that we were once again on a long stretch of beautiful beach. And we had it all to ourselves!

Perfect timing for the sun to come out again.
Is that a castle I see between those high sand dunes?
The castle dates back 1400 years and has a varied history. In 993 the existing castle was ransacked by the Vikings but in the 11th century the Normans built a new castle on the site.In 1464 during the War of the Roses, it became the first castle in England to be defeated by artillery after coming under cannon fire during a siege by the Yorkists.In the 18th century, it was passed from the monarchy into private hands but the cost of upkeep meant the castle soon fell into ruin. Restoration work started in the 19th century but financial difficulties forced the castle's sale in 1894. It was then bought by Lord William Armstrong, a pioneer in engineering and an environmentalist (his other home in Northumberland, Craigside was the first in the world to be lit by hydroelectric power) and while he died before the restoration was complete it has remained the private home of the Armstrong family ever since, although now parts of the castle are open to the public.  

Approaching the castle from the south
The sight of the castle on the dunes above the long sandy beach is fantastic. 



It is well worth a visit. There's plenty to see both inside and outside.
The keep is the oldest surviving part of the castle

View from the Keep

The Armoury is open to the public and has an impressive range of weapons and armor.




Imagine having to wear this for work!

The King's Hall was built on the site of the original Great Hall and features a magnificent wood beam ceiling. 



Fourteen state rooms are also open to the public including: 
The Cross Hall


The Library/Billiards Room 


And let's not forget the scullery.  Lord Armstrong was apparently keen to take the drudgery out of his staff's work and so introduced an early dishwasher and a vacuum to make their lives easier. 
Each sink had a different purpose.

And of course, no castle is complete without a dungeon:




The old stables have been turned into a cafe:



The village of Bamburgh is small and quaint, but offers a multitude of cafes and pubs along the main street. My favorite is the Copper Kettle Tea Rooms which does scrumptious scones with cream and jam, the perfect accompaniment to a pot of tea!

view of the village from the castle
All in all it was another great day on the Northumberland Coastal Path.
I was a little sad I didn't have time to do the rest of the walk to Berwick, but it's something to look forward to for my next visit to England!
Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense and the Detective Rigby series.For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast at The Old Rectory in Howick it was time to set off on day three of our walk. 

 

Howick's village is so tiny that it only took a few minutes to walk through it. There are no shops or pubs, but there is a post box and a bus stop! And it's absolutely charming.

It didn't take long to get back on to the Northumberland Coastal Path with its sweeping views. 


Once again, the day started off overcast although temperature-wise it was perfect walking weather.




Just under two miles from Howick is the small fishing village of Craster which is famous for its kippers. L Robson and sons have been in the business of smoking kippers and salmon for over 100 years and still use the original smokehouses. 


Unlike Howick, this village does have a pub, The Jolly Fisherman, which is hard to miss if you are walking the coastal path as the path cuts through the patio! 


Unfortunately, it was too early for the pub to be open otherwise it would have been a nice spot to have a drink and look out over the picturesque harbor. 



In the distance to the north, you can also see the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. From Craster, the path cuts across over a mile of farmland to the ruins.



The castle, built by Earl Thomas of Lancaster, dates back to 1313 but was the focus of fierce battles during the War of the Roses between the Lancasters and the Yorks in the 15th century. With the defeat of the Lancasters, the castle ended up in the hand of the Yorkists and subsequently fell into decay.
It is still an impressive sight. The ruins are open to the public but we decided to just view them from the outside. 

The twin-towered keep
Lilburn Tower
Once past the castle, the path hugs the coastline.  



Looking back, we had wonderful views of the sweep of sandy beach at Embleton Bay with the ruins in the distance. And finally, there was even some blue sky!
Looks like we've walked a long way!


After all that walking, it was definitely time for a rest. Luckily, at the north end of the beach is Low Newton, a village almost completely owned by the National Trust, with a pub in the village square.It was a popular place. We hadn't seen this many people at any other point on our walk. And it seemed especially popular with dog owners! I think we might have been the only people there that didn't have a dog. The bar area inside is quite small but there were plenty of places to sit outside. 

The Ship Inn

Rested and refreshed, it was time to get back on the trail. 

One of the few stiles, we came across on our walk. Most of them have been replaced by gates.

Eventually, we came to Long Nanny wildlife sanctuary maintained by the National Trust, which provides a nesting place for Arctic and Little Terns. The path veers inland to keep walkers away from the nesting sites in order not to disturb the birds which tend to nest at the mouth of the estuary.

The Long Nanny Bridge

View of the estuary from Long Nanny Bridge



After crossing the bridge, the path goes through Beadnell Bay Sand Dunes and into the town of Beadnell itself. Beadnell is considered a watersports paradise and is a popular tourist spot, but we were there pre-season and it was very quiet.
A bench on Harbour Rd, Beadnell offered a welcome break.


The last two miles of our walk took us through Annstead Dunes Nature Reserve, up onto the main road past Seahouses Golf Club, and into the village of Seahouses. Seahouses is a fishing village with an active harbor.  From here, there are boat trips out to the Farne Islands, famous for the large number of seabirds and seals that make it their home. 

Seahouses Harbour


After logging 13 miles on our walk since we left Howick, our night's accommodation, The Links Hotel, was a welcome sight. It had been another wonderful day on the coastal path.
Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense and the Detective Rigby series.For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.

                                                                                  After a good night's rest at the Schooner Hotel, day 2 of our walk began with a stroll along the main street in Alnmouth.
The village dates back to 1150 and most of it was designated a conservation area in 1972. In 2020 Conde Nast Traveler rated it among the 20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland.  Alnmouth Village Golf Club sits between the village and the beach. Established in 1869,  it is the fourth oldest course in England.  It certainly has beautiful views. 
The view from the village across the golf course to the beach.


We hadn't been walking long when the gray clouds started to look distinctly more threatening. 
Talk about changeable weather!
On the beaches and clifftop, remains of World War II fortifications dot the landscape, but the gun battery below was actually built in 1852 by the Duke of Northumberland who feared a French invasion. 

But there was nothing old about the charming small campsite further along the clifftop. 
This looks like my idea of camping!
Further on, a picturesque tunnel through the trees helped distract somewhat from the uphill gradient.

But then it was back out into the open. 

With a meadow of purple wildflowers on the left.


Three miles from Alnmouth is the village of Boulmer, a tiny fishing village, so small it doesn't even have a shop. But of course, being an English village, it does have a pub. Which was just as well for us, because no sooner had we got into Boulmer than the skies opened in another torrential downpour. Unfortunately, we got into Boulmer just after eleven and the bar didn't open until twelve, so we had to take refuge in an old stone bus shelter in the interim! The state of the interior suggested it's main occupants were birds, but it was better than getting soaked yet again.
The Fishing Boat Inn
It was worth the wait. The Fishing Boat Inn is a friendly place with excellent food. It was only a shame we couldn't enjoy their outdoor patio with wonderful sea views. Maybe next time! Not surprisingly several people who came in also looked like walkers taking refuge from the rain. By the time we'd finished our lunch, the rain had stopped but just as we were about to leave it started again. We took that as a sign that we should have another drink. 
Finally, we got back out on the path. 
Flat and low, the path was easy to walk.



And within twenty minutes we had blue skies again!



Sometimes it felt as if we had the path all to ourselves. 

At times it headed in across moorland
But regular glimpses of sandy bays confirmed we were still on the right path.

We crossed moorland 
and farmland
and everywhere there were bursts of colorful wildflowers.

Originally my plan had been to walk from Alnmouth to Craster, a village two miles further north from Howick, but I couldn't find any accommodation in Craster for just the one night. Luckily a search of places nearby came up with The Old Rectory in Howick which is only a five-minute walk from the coastal path. 
What a find. Howick is a tiny village, most famous for Howick Hall, the ancestral seat of the Earls Grey. The 2nd Earl Grey was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1830 - 1834 and it is widely believed that Earl Grey tea was named after him.
The Old Rectory was built to provide accommodation for the church at Howick Hall and is believed to date from 1746. It's a beautiful old house, lovingly restored as a country B & B by the owners, Jude Leitch and David Gourdie, who were most welcoming hosts. The bedrooms are large and comfortable, there is a cozy lounge, and a dining room serving not only hearty breakfasts but also evening meals. The latter is a real plus if, like us, you don't have a car. I chose the Butternut Squash Curry which was absolutely delicious. 
The Old Rectory, Howick
If you find yourself looking for accommodation in the area, I highly recommend you check The Old Rectory out. And if camping is more your style, they even have a glamping tent in the garden! 
It was a perfect place to wrap up a great day's walk. 
Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense and the Detective Rigby series.For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.

 

After walking part of the South West Coastal Path in Cornwall in 2017, I was eager to do more coastal walking in the UK, but it was only earlier this summer that I got a chance to return to England. Given I was going to be based in Newcastle upon Tyne for part of the visit, I decided to walk part of the Northumberland Coastal Path which runs for 62 miles from Creswell to Berwick on Tweed, just south of the Scottish border. 

I didn't have time to do the whole path so I picked a section from Amble to Bamburgh - approximately 28 miles - split over four days so there was plenty of time to see the sights, especially the castles, along the way.
Amble is a small town at the mouth of the River Coquet. Originally a farming community, it became a coal exporting center when mining opened in the area in the 19th century and then fishing and shipbuilding became important. Nowadays, tourism is a big part of the economy and the town has a bustling and modern marina. 

Quite a contrast to the High Street where the buildings retain their old-world charm. It's easy to see that the need to park cars was never a consideration when the town was built. 



The weather looked ominous as we set off alongside the River Coquet toward our first stop, Warkworth. 



Just over a mile into our walk, we arrived at Warkworth Castle. The castle dates back to the 12th century. In 1327 it was besieged by the Scots and thereafter played a prominent role in the long war between England and Scotland.  In 1332 Edward III granted the castle to Lord Henry Percy and, apart from a few periods when the family was out of favor with the king of the time, the Percy family retained the grant until 1922 when the castle was given back to the state.

Most of the castle is in ruins with the exception of the Gatehouse which was restored in the 1920s and the Great Tower but it's still an impressive sight. 
View of the castle from outside the grounds


The approach to the Gatehouse





the Great Tower is almost intact despite being over 600 years old




The Carrickfergus Tower partially collapsed in the 18th century.
I enjoyed looking around the inside of the Great Tower which was the original principal residence for Henry Percy's grandson (also named Henry) who was the first Earl of Northumberland. The rooms are bare but with the help of well-placed information boards, it's not hard to picture what it would have been like. 

The Kitchen


The Buttery and Pantry 
 The view from the top of the Great Tower. You'd certainly be able to see the enemy coming!

Continuing on from the castle the path takes you alongside the River Coquet into the village of Warkworth.

By the time we got into the village, it was well past lunchtime so we stopped off at The Mason Arms for a well-earned rest before heading across the ancient Warkworth Bridge for the next phase of the walk.



Within ten minutes we were heading toward the coast. There were very few other walkers about, but maybe that was due to the constant threat of rain.  


We did have some breaks in the clouds. And even with the clouds, the temperature was perfect for walking so we couldn't complain. Besides, the unpredictable weather is probably responsible for Northumberland being named an area of outstanding natural beauty. Despite the miles of beautiful beaches, the lack of consistent sunshine and warmth has deterred all but the hardiest of tourists in the past which means there has been very little development along the coastline. 
Don't you hate crowded beaches?
Wildflowers in full bloom add to the beauty.
Yikes! Up until this point the path was relatively flat.



Once over the hill, we turned slightly inland. Luckily the path is very well signposted or I might have thought we were going the wrong way. 

The sea is somewhere behind those dunes, isn't it? 



Soon we were walking past farmers' fields and hedgerows.



But finally, our destination came into view with its pretty multicolored buildings. And could that possibly be blue sky ahead?
The road bridge across the estuary into Alnmouth is a grade II listed structure built in 1864 called the Duchess Bridge. The stone side of it is just visible on the right of the metal bridge below. Being so old the bridge isn't wide enough for cars and pedestrians so the latter have to use the metal walkway. I can't help wondering whether the designers couldn't have come up with something a little more attractive and in line with the old bridge. 

One final bridge to cross. 



The view back over the estuary from Alnmouth after we crossed the bridge. Where did the blue sky go?

Ten minutes to go, but the rain couldn't wait. The skies opened in a torrential downpour. By the time we got to our hotel, we were soaked through. 
But looking on the bright side - it could have rained all day. 

Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense and the Detective Rigby series.For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.

Delighted to announce that Book 4 in the Detective Rigby Series is now available in ebook and print format. 

Click here to purchaseAlso available on Kindle Unlimited

A missing pregnant woman. A distraught father-to-be. A desperate plea for help.

Days away from becoming a father, Detective Paul Rigby is already on edge about the birth. The last thing he needs is to be involved in an investigation into a missing pregnant woman. But with the woman being a friend of his girlfriend and a personal plea for help from the woman’s husband, it’s not a case he can turn down–despite the warning from his boss.

But as the initial investigation raises more questions than answers and the case takes an unexpected twist, the lines between personal and professional start to blur and Rigby’s determination to bring the case to a close becomes almost an obsession.

An obsession that could cost him dearly.

                                                                                                   

To celebrate the first three books in the series are on sale until midnight, Saturday, May 14th.

The Anniversary - $0.99

Old Habits Die Hard - $2.99

Under Suspicion - $2.99 

Check out the series page here.

Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense and the Detective Rigby series.For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.

 

A beautiful spring day provided the perfect opportunity to check out one of New York City's newest attractions - Little Island.

Opened in 2021 the island sits on the site of Pier 54 which until 1935 was used by the British Cunard-White Star Line for trans-Atlantic ocean voyages.  Among the many passengers who arrived at Pier 54 were the survivors of the Titanic.

 Like many of the New York piers, it fell into disuse for years and was then reclaimed for various social purposes. But in 2012 the pier was seriously damaged by Hurricane Sandy and it was decided to create a new kind of public space. 

It is certainly eye-catching.

Two bridges provide access to the island, one to the north and one to the south, but given the island is only just over 2 acres, they aren't very far apart. 

The North Bridge
The South Bridge

Walkways and stairs wind their way around well-tended lawns and flowerbeds, making the multi-level island accessible to all. 

An amphitheater overlooks the river. Free and low-cost performances are held throughout the summer months giving local artists a chance to showcase their talent. As it faces west I can imagine the evening audiences may also get to see some stunning sunsets. 


There's a patio where you can grab a bite and sit in the sun and enjoy the surroundings. The day I visited there was only one food truck in operation but from May 25 there will be more options available. I have to say the toasted cheese sandwich was remarkably good!


The park is so well-designed, even the restrooms have been built into the landscape.


Throughout the park, there are fun objects such as Spinning Discs and Dance Chimes. The latter seems popular with young and old judging from the amount of music being made. And it certainly wasn't just kids enjoying the spun chairs on the patio.

And this being New York, everywhere you look there are the iconic views:


It's well worth a visit. And it's free. Though in the busy summer months if you visit after 12pm Thursday thru Sunday (and holidays), you need to have a timed ticket for entry unless you have a ticket for a performance.

Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense. Her latest novel in the Detective Rigby series "No Stone Unturned" will be released on May 10, 2022. For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.