… September’s door here in West Somerset, the meteorological start of Autumn, there’s talk of overnight grass frosts and periods of rain. The trees, Rowans, Oaks, Ash and Maples are already showing a colouring in their leaves. This morning the last fledging of Swallows were on the telegraph wires preparing to follow their elders flying south to Africa. Our House Martins, after their most successful nesting season for several years – in the end six active nests, probably nine broods, have already departed. We wish them safe away and safe home again next April.

September will bring the publication of my second novel, BIRCHLAND HALL. The final proofs are in order and the presses will roll.

Birchland Hall is a novel of family drama revolving around  a Victorian mansion in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsfield, set in the late 1990’s. Let’s look forward to it getting onto Book Group reading lists.

And just for fun, an acrylic painting I entered in the Corsley Show last week won third prize… in a class of three!