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Back to Work

Autumn’s in the air here in west Wales. There’s a heavy dew on the grass in the mornings, leaves are turning and a lower sun casts a slanting light across the landscape. We’re still trying to make the most of what’s left of summer and this week we enjoyed a very happy couple of days with my stepson and his lovely girlfriend in their new home, (you will see from the photos we also had a visit there from Bee who was keen to learn how to play the piano!) but now it's time for some hard work!



Our garden has ‘got away’ - so much so that I’ve been afraid to go down to the compost heap because of what might be lurking in the dense undergrowth. We spend a whole day chopping up a fallen tree and clearing the area round the septic tank (nice… actually it doesn’t smell at all which is how it should be!) just in case we have to call for Mr Sh*t , as the very cheerful man who empties the tanks is known round here. We achieve what feels like a lot …. until I look up and see how much more there is to do, but at least I’m not too scared to walk down to the bottom of my own garden now!

With just over a month to go to the Cardiff Half, I’ve been introduced to different routes by my new running buddy, Helen. Unfortunately I almost keel over after 6 miles one morning and Helen sprains her ankle on another, but I’ve also been tackling some absolute beasts of hill climbs so it’s going the right way.

As well as the autumnal feeling outside, there’s a ‘back to school’ feeling in the house. Tom’s begun writing up his PhD thesis so I’m back at my desk too. Another commission, fingers crossed, from The English Home, is in the pipeline - which I’m really looking forwards to as I love writing these features - and, after a lot of ups and downs, I’m also writing fiction again… and enjoying it at last!

Comments

Flowerpot said…
Very brave tackling the garden, Chris - and even braver tackling those hills. I am in awe!!! Well done on the commission and enjoy your fiction too - a good balance! X
Chris Stovell said…
Thank you so much, Sue - you know what it's like with the writing... trying to earn a living is always precarious and keeping the creative well filled is a consideration too! Cx
Kathryn Freeman said…
Delighted to hear you're back to work......I know, I know, that's very mean of me, but I'm looking forward to the next Christine Stovell novel :-)
Chris Stovell said…
It's been a flipping long time coming, Kate, and the encouragement is very welcome!
Frances said…
Dear Chris, I liked the way you described the adventure playground to be found in your autumn garden. Congratulation to you and Tom on staying the course and discovering the hidden pathway.

Your preparation for the upcoming race sounds so very good...particularly the uphill bits. Wow!

Hearing about the magazine commission and that work is underway on a novel, too, is fabulous. I think that magazine is carried over here at Barnes & Noble, so I will have a look for it. Do you know when your article will appear?

I think I can also just about imagine a slight change in the air. I definitely know the sunrise and sunset times have radically changed. (Following that childhood poem, I am waking later and later!) xo to you and Tom
Chris Stovell said…
Dear Frances, the garden's hard work but we've made a start... and yes, it's a little too adventurous at the moment! I'm hoping the uphill work will pay off on the flat...

I had a feature in the August edition of The English Home and the next one is due in the November edition, out here 5 October - one also pencilled in for Spring 2017.

And xo to you, as always!
Pondside said…
I will look for the August English Home - it arrives rather late over here. Congratulations on those commissions! Over here the drought has kept the gardens from growing into jungles, though laurel hedges seem to reach monstrous proportions without any water at all.
I've enjoyed watching (on Facebook) you train for your next big run. Way to go!
Chris Stovell said…
Oh, thank you, Pondside - I thoroughly enjoy telling a different kind of story so I've loved the commissions, although obviously as a freelance writer I have to wait my turn. Laurels, eh? we have a monstrous bay tree which is looking over the bottom of the garden! Ha, yes, FB - I'm afraid my news is rather running heavy but I draw the line at posting photos of my dinner!

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