A well-known former Bahrain-based expatriate has fulfilled her dream of publishing a book highlighting her Welsh roots as well as her love and respect for the kingdom she once called home.
Tina Hughes, 64, was inspired by the popular #100 Bahrain Stories book, featuring interviews with people from all walks of life, and made up her mind to finally put pen to paper.
“I was inspired to write my own collection of short stories about my beautiful country home here in Wales,” said Ms Hughes, who lived in Muharraq, followed by Umm Al Hassam and ended residing in Salihiya during her 16-year stint on the island.
“I’ve always wanted to write a book and now that I’m retired, I found the time to do so.
“Readers will also get to know that Bahrain is a beautiful small island that I obviously loved and left very reluctantly,” she added.
The 64-page book, which includes her own watercolour illustrations, is entitled Tales of Tynant - Tŷ Nant is Welsh for ‘house by the stream’. The paperback and digital book consists of 16 short stories and has been published by Austin Macauley.
She moved to Bahrain in 1986 at the age of 26. After her son finished primary school, she went to work at Nadeen School and remained there for 15 years before opening an art studio where she taught stained-glass techniques and mosaicking.
Then, after a ‘marriage breakdown’, she returned to the UK.
“I miss Bahrain very much,” she said. “I still consider it my second home and where my adoptive children and grandchildren live. I visit whenever I can.
“In my future books, I hope to further depict Bahrain as the wonderfully friendly place that it is and how it’s changed from the days that my grandparents were there in the 1960s to the present day.”
She is currently working on a second book in which she added that ‘Bahrain will also pop up in a story, or two or three’!
“I hope people will read my book to escape from their busy, stressful lives and unwind, even if only briefly, immersing themselves in the tranquillity of Tynant,” she explained.
The remarried author and her husband, Rob, are in the final stages of converting an old barn on their property into a holiday cottage so visitors can experience it for themselves.
“With the fresh mountain air, stunning views, nearby walking trails, cycle tracks and an excellent place for bird-watching and 30 minutes’ drive from the coast it’s the perfect place for a peaceful escape,” she said.
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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