Blazing June.

It is not often I get flowers, but this week, for various reasons, I have acquired two. I now have a bouquet in the front room and one in the back. The perfume from the lilies in this one is permeating the house, reminding me they are there and it makes me feel happy.


Meanwhile, out in the garden there are more flowers - next-door's climbing rose cascading over our apple trees, and just at the moment, smelling quite heavenly. I keep going out to my den just so I can pass them again, and I feel happier still.


Then, later this morning, the postman delivered this from Profile books: THE UNCOMMON READER by Alan Bennett, together with a tea towel. I have never had a literary tea-towel before. This one says...


I just read the first few pages to Hodmandod Senior and we both found it hilarious. I don't like everything that Alan Bennett does but I think I'm going to love this. I am working on draft two of my proposal now, but when I've finished I'm going to give myself a treat and read this book. Still more happy...


And, the best news of all, yesterday the contract from Seren books arrived. A PLACE OF MEADOWS AND TALL TREES, my novel about the Welsh going to Patagonia, is going to be published - sometimes in 2009, I hope...or maybe 2010. It has always been my brother's book, and I am delighted it is going to go out into the world by such a highly-respected Welsh publisher. I am very lucky. And very happy.