Just when I thought I had no news to report, I’ve beeen contacted to say that the aforementioned short story (which I felt had had its share of glory) has lived to fight another day and is one of 50 commended entries in the Aesthetica annual competition fiction category. It’s not one of the 96 finalists, but since these have been chosen from 4000 entries across a number of media categories I am more than happy with this outcome. My story will also be listed (but not published) in the Aesthetica Creative Works anthology when it comes out.
The success of Preparing for Winter (yes, it is about autumn!) makes a fitting end to the current season which we marked yesterday with a visit to Westonbirt Arboretum. After a gloriously sunny morning, the sky was resolutely grey when we arrived , but at least there were some trees still in their Sunday best. Needless to say it wasn’t the best time to go as every man and his dog (and large family) had had the same idea, but it turned out to be our only free day this week, and not many leaves will still be there by next. Despite the people and the mud, it still felt good to be marking the turning of the year. With the November 5th celebrations pretty much of a washout, at least we saw a few fireworks here.
If you’d like to see the leaves in their full glory, just click on each image.
You can still read Preparing for Winter here.
Ali Bacon / Books and Other Things 
Fabulous pictures and well done for being commended. It’s another point to add to your CV. Know what you mean about turning up to places when everyone else is there. When I worked full time Mum always complained when I offered to take her shopping at the weekend. ‘Why do we have to go when everyone else is there?’ she would ask. She didn’t grasp the fact that we all worked during the week.
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