Hmmm... I have been trying to find a way to update this on-site, from the hilltop, but Blogger is not really PDA friendly.

I have to solve this, as I will now be on the hill for much longer.

'Cos - I got the bursary!!!!!!!!!! For the next 4 month I am a full-time paid up commissioned writer in a stone caravan.

Just as well - the application process (3 - 4 hours a day writing, on top of a 10 hour working day, with long-haul travel thrown in, for 35 days) - almost finished me. I spent 10 days in a darkened room if conjunctivitis straight afterwards.

I was contemplating giving up one of the following:

• The long-houred Job (but even eccentric hermits need an income)
• The Writing (but I would probably go insane)
• The Cottage...

But, for the next few month I don't have to make that choice...

I was heading up the hill again in a week, to live and write in the cottage over October/November.

I am a little worried about Foot and Mouth. This is a very very hard time for hill farmer, as September is the month when the harvest the lambs, just before the grass on the hill dies back. They are at a standstill, with no cash coming in after a year's work, and no way to feed the excess stock through the winter. Walking through the pastures daily carries minuscule risk, but I don't want to do anything to cause more distress or concern to my neighbours at the moment.