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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition June 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 week ago
<h3>Prior to the magic going black</h3>
<h3>June 23rd, Caithness</h3>
Pre-dawn on a midsummer morning, Tait Duncan, drove south-east along an A1 empty of all but Highlands-bound supermarket wagons, conscience similarly uncluttered by the lie he’d last night told his wife as to the reason for his early morning departure. (In what had become th…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition May 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 week, 2 days ago
Well done Jill. A bittersweet story, beautifully told. And well done the rest of us!
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition May 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 week, 3 days ago
A fascinating quartet of music-generated memories resulting in stories that couldn’t help but provide their own soundtracks. Ath’s tale fully matched the discordant challenging streetwise vibes of the music chosen. Libby’s rich musical pot-pourri connected brilliantly with the warmth of disparate family interactions. Terrie’s combining ne…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition May 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 week, 5 days ago
MONTHLY COMP ALERT – I was hoping for earworms, from songs I remember but despite two excellent entries, I feel a little disappointed so more Top Ten memories by Sunday night would be much appreciated.
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Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 1 week, 6 days ago
Thanks, Kate. I’m trying hard to get better.
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Janette posted an update 1 week, 6 days ago
I have news!
After much waiting, then swearing quite a lot at screens, The Indiculous Grace Dunn is now available in paperback format from The Great British Bookshop (online) priced £11.99 (please consider this outlet first for the paperback – it is British and doesn’t take the great slice such as Amazon demand).
The Ebook version will be…[Read more] -
Athelstone replied to the topic The Sheep Detectives film/Three Bags Full novel in the forum Coffee Shop 2 weeks, 6 days ago
I’m not a huge fan of cosy crime, and I think that the television series of TTMC is rather better than the books, although only because the acting is good. However, there are many variations within that genre and I wouldn’t dismiss everything. The same goes for anthropomorphised animal stories. For instance, Charlotte’s Web and Animal Farm spring…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 3 weeks, 6 days ago
On a small scale, my daughter gave me a voucher for a foraging/cooking day for 2, for my birthday last year, and I’d just booked a day in March when I got ill. When the company heard I was in hospital, they gave me a six month extension on the voucher for free, so that I could book when I was completely recovered. I thought that was really…[Read more]
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RichardB replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 4 weeks ago
<p class=”western”>So glad to hear this, Ath, and let me add my hopes to those already expressed about the resolution of your remaining issues.</p>
<p class=”western”>I have been on blood thinners for several years as I have atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular pulse, or as my GP put it with her customary no-nonsense bluntness, ‘a hoppitty…[Read more] -
Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 4 weeks ago
Hi Libby, a very big relief. And thank you. I had another read through my discharge notes. I don’t think they’d seen somebody so ill with such a mixed bag of symptoms before (who hadn’t been in an accident). They took advice from the teams at Guildford, Reading, and Kings. There was a consensus to deal with the immediate emergency which was the…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 4 weeks ago
Thanks Jill. Yes, it is a big relief.
I’ve been on blood thinners (apixaban) since I was admitted to hospital. My problem is that the hospital doctors didn’t share any plan for dealing with the existing clots which have blocked two major veins to the liver. I strongly suspect that they were anticipating a worse outcome from the endoscopy and…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 4 weeks, 1 day ago
I hope that this is a footnote, although I forsee a few more tests from my GP.
Today I had the endoscopy which I believe some of the doctors in my hospital thought would show cancer. the symptoms were all lined up. There was even consistent evidence from CAT scans and other X-rays. To be fair to them, they never said that, though they always…[Read more]
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Ath, this is such a huge relief to hear, though I imagine the mindset prepping beforehand must have left you mentally drained. I have polyps and so have to be monitored with colonoscopies every three years – I’m guessing you might be invited to do the same. I hope your quest to find out the cause of the clots and anaemia is soon fruitful and…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition May 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 month ago
Caution: Stuart’s language isn’t for polite company. The anniversary was my 18th birthday, June 21 1974.
Stuart’s story
People call me Plug ‘cos they reckon I look like Plug from the Bash Street Kids I ain’t never seen him, so I don’t know. Stuart’s my real name, and I just done three months in nick for something I ain’t done. Possessio…[Read more]
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Janette posted an update 1 month ago
Apologies again that I have been to busy and distracted to participate in the comps just yet. You may have seen on FB that I have now announced the imminent launch of my book The Indiculous Grace Dunn, along with a cover preview and blurb. I’m hoping to launch by the end of May or early June, depending on how smoothly the readthrough of the proof…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 1 month ago
Thanks for the kind wishes, Jill. I know you’ve had your own burden lately, and I was so pleased to hear things were going well. At the moment, progress is good. I’m not using crutches or a frame now around the house and I can make it upstairs 2 or 3 times a week for a shower, all approved by the health visitors. I still have anaemia and run out…[Read more]
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Sandra posted an update 1 month, 1 week ago
May’s monthly comp is up – something to inspire lots of you I hope!
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Sandra started the topic Monthly competition May 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 month, 1 week ago
What I’d like you do for May’s competition is
1) choose a significant anniversary in your life: e.g. birthday, wedding, first child: graduation – then,
2 ) Google the UK Top 10 singles chart for that week.
3) select two, three or four song titles from that list and,
4) use them (loosely if necessary!) as a basis for a short story, of…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Competition April 2026 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 month, 1 week ago
Thank you , Terrie, both for the challenge and your comments on both my entry and Jill’s excellently crafted, sensitive story. I’ll aim to set something for June by the end of today.
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Athelstone replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Thanks for all the kind wishes. Please don’t think me rude that I haven’t responded individually. I still find messaging quite an effort. Your words are very much appreciated.
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RichardB replied to the topic A bit "poorly" in the forum Blogs 1 month, 2 weeks ago
So glad to see you back, Ath – I was beginning to be afraid we never would.
And as it turns out, we nearly didn’t. My God, what a time you’ve had. All my best wishes for your continued recovery, and I do hope that the issue still hanging over you turns out to be not too catastrophic.
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