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Following Tim Peake’s adventures in space there seems to be a pent up demand for space adventure stories tinged with realism. So frustrating to have a rejection from an agent at this time. Well, will just keep trying. Two books are already out there on AmazonKindle although it is difficult to publicise them.

Exciting. Just had a short story accepted for an anthology to raise money for Make a Wish Foundation. This will be widely read 🙂

Here is a little something that has been well received by Short Fiction Writers facebook group:

She checked all the machines. All were running nicely. No problems there. The day had been busy, busy. A lone worker. An isolated production unit. Washing now drying. Dirty plates being cleaned. Dinner prepared. She leaned back in her chair, savouring the moment as she sipped her mug of tea before leaving to do the same in her own house.

Meanwhile…Chris Hadfield is to visit Monmouth for a book signing of his children’s book.

Still in shock at the result of last week’s referendum. So sad. Especially sad following the global excitment at Tim Peake’s adventures in space. And seeing those photos of the beauty of the Earth. Hope the politicians can untangle the mess.

Well, at risk of duplication the week has been one roller coaster of highs and higher highs and music. Last Saturday we enjoyed the superb performance of the Gondoliers by the Southampton University Gilbert and Sullivan Society. They have expert actors, comic and serious, singers, designers…and lighting designers (my own son!). There was more music yesterday evening as we enjoyed a Mozartfest of beautiful singing by the Cathedral Choir plus some professional soloists. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to say hello to Iryna Illynska but she knew I was there and it is always a pleasure to hear her faultless mezzosoprano voice. She is also a very nice, kind lady who is very clever – fluent in several languages – as well as musically gifted. She also likes cake and extolled the virtues of healthy eating while indulging in a great big Danish pastry.
Today we took my parents to an Afternoon Summer Organ Recital with Afternoon Tea featuring John Draisey, an organist who is part of the Mint commmunity. It was a treat for Fathers’ Day which they both enjoyed. The music and singing were a delightful selection with an organ-related theme. Again, it was all of a very high standard. A particular piece I had looked forward to was The Lost Chord which was something I studied as part of the Arts Foundation Course at the beginning of my Open University degree studies. It is haunting both in words and tune.
Amidst the musical week was an astronomy talk I gave to a group of Year 5 children from the local primary school. They loved it and I had one or two interactive activities which went down very well. I began with a display of fruit to the scale of the universe. Real photo of fruit to be substituted once I upload it! It was a jaw-dropping moment though at the end when a teacher came over (he had just arrived to collect them) and mentioned, questioningly, ‘Whitegrove Primary?’ – he said his name and I just said “Gosh”, “Wow”, “Gosh”…it was 15 years ago back in Bracknell back several lifetimes…and I simply said to him that my life has changed so much since then. Then it was back to “Gosh”, “Wow”, etc.
And if that was not enough excitement, my son texted me to say he has achieved a First in his Maths Masters degree. Wow indeed. And he has been involved in theatre, amateur radio, enjoying life, enjoying gigs, and taking part in national coding competitions. Wow. And so to calm down…