Chile | Novels Now

There must be many fathers worldwide today who are unable to meet-up with their offspring. More than is normal certainly. I hope they can all cherish good memories and look forward to creating new ones when we come out the other side.

Stories are surfacing now we’re all out and about a wee bit more. The Scotsman featured a lady who is locked down in an African village but teaching the children how to dance the Gay Gordons. Some neighbours have an adult son in the Amazon where he’s met another person from Edinburgh! (Chances of that?) Actually, on the only visit I’ve made to Chile a fellow parishioner of Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, came across the breakfast room to tap me on the shoulder. Our visits until then mutually unknown.

And speaking of Mayfield, if you’d like to share reflections, please join us here

WIP became a submission this morning and has gone out into the ether. Fingers crossed. DH won the scrabble – I was not gracious. Supper out of the freezer. Scored our lowest in the Guardian Quiz for months. Family members did sponsored run for medicins sans frontieres. The site is here

Anne

Sea Lions, Chile

Last month’s prompt was a path bordered by lush green gunnera. It was relatively peaceful, although one or two of you found sinister thoughts along the disappearing pathway and into the hidden areas beyond.

I took October’s prompt, above, while on a botanical trip to Chile. It was perhaps my favourite outing of the whole expedition and the island in the picture is part of the reason.

It’s an island – and like JM Barrie, I’m mildly fascinated by them.

It’s covered in sea lions.

The scene is full of life and energy. The sea lions fought an ongoing struggle to get out of the boiling waters among the rocks and onto the island. It was mesmerising to watch.

Sorry you have to take my word for the sea lions. My camera isn’t strong enough to show them in detail, but they are there.

How does the prompt affect you? Care to share any piece with us?