Can it really be 4 weeks since I was writing at Varuna?
Normality hits hard, especially when the neighbours decide to start up the angle-grinder or have late-night parties (yes, they don't have to get up early for work) or the nitwit the other side starts up that stupid remote-controlled racecar (this is the parent). And I moved to the country for peace and quiet?
In spite of this, I have managed to work through another supersonic edit of The Fatal Span, this time for a competition in the USA. I've been working for 2 years to get to this point, and watching that postmark go on the package this morning sure made me feel like the last few years have been worth it. I don't expect to get an email, but I do feel the sense of achievement. Zipped a short story away to the UK too, and why not? That one didn't cost a cent (euro or pound). Working on another to get away by the end of this month, then it's my annual attempt at the CWA (UK) Debut Dagger competition.
Mind you, I won't include a current photo of myself at present - after working long hours on the manuscript, I probably need to be added to the "Racoon" webpage on the Zoo's site.
See what Varuna does to you?
We've had little rain for about a month, unless you're lucky enough to be under one of the few thunderstorms around (not the one that hit the Riverland - too much damage). The countryside is fast drying off, next weekend I'll get my bushfire "equipment" ready, and I'd expect the fire bans to start the week after that.
Bird count: Interesting. Heaps of birds three weeks ago, almost nothing the last 2 weeks. Seems like they've bred - and that's it for this season (ignoring the blackbird, of course. Baby #45022 seen bouncing around my backyard, relocating the pea straw). The last of the native orchids burned off this week at Mt Barker summit, a few native lilies remain, and the native grasses are nearly dry enough to drop their seed.
Summer approaches with stealth...
Three pictures on the slopes of Mt Barker, including the summit.
Normality hits hard, especially when the neighbours decide to start up the angle-grinder or have late-night parties (yes, they don't have to get up early for work) or the nitwit the other side starts up that stupid remote-controlled racecar (this is the parent). And I moved to the country for peace and quiet?
In spite of this, I have managed to work through another supersonic edit of The Fatal Span, this time for a competition in the USA. I've been working for 2 years to get to this point, and watching that postmark go on the package this morning sure made me feel like the last few years have been worth it. I don't expect to get an email, but I do feel the sense of achievement. Zipped a short story away to the UK too, and why not? That one didn't cost a cent (euro or pound). Working on another to get away by the end of this month, then it's my annual attempt at the CWA (UK) Debut Dagger competition.
Mind you, I won't include a current photo of myself at present - after working long hours on the manuscript, I probably need to be added to the "Racoon" webpage on the Zoo's site.
See what Varuna does to you?
We've had little rain for about a month, unless you're lucky enough to be under one of the few thunderstorms around (not the one that hit the Riverland - too much damage). The countryside is fast drying off, next weekend I'll get my bushfire "equipment" ready, and I'd expect the fire bans to start the week after that.
Bird count: Interesting. Heaps of birds three weeks ago, almost nothing the last 2 weeks. Seems like they've bred - and that's it for this season (ignoring the blackbird, of course. Baby #45022 seen bouncing around my backyard, relocating the pea straw). The last of the native orchids burned off this week at Mt Barker summit, a few native lilies remain, and the native grasses are nearly dry enough to drop their seed.
Summer approaches with stealth...
Three pictures on the slopes of Mt Barker, including the summit.
