First of all, I would like to offer an apology to everyone who follows me here on my blog. I was unable to update last fortnight due to a technical problem. Fortunately it seems to have resolved itself and, doubly fortunately, it did not interfere too much with my writing.

It is with great joy that I announce that the first draft of my Magnum Opus is well and truly complete. And just in time! I tell you, even I wasn’t sure how it would end, but these last few days I have barely slept, so filled with inspiration have I been for this final chapter.

Great joy, yes, and just a little sadness. It really has been an emotional journey these last few months. A truly heartfelt thanks to everyone who inspired me on this journey. There’s some editing and revision to do, it’s true, but I think I can take it from here. If what I hear is true, then you all deserve a well-earned rest.

I hope you are all well, my friends. And again – thank you.

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Note: the following is extracted not from Jo’s blog, but from an article in a local newspaper which they have cut out and pinned on the cork board in their study.

The Green Valley Park was a sight to behold last Wednesday when a group of unidentified individuals in strange clothing congregated there for several hours. Eye-witness reports describe them as being an extremely diverse group in both physical characteristics and clothing, but every single one of them was wearing an extremely unusual-looking glowing backpack. Richard Grimsby, 52, says they were “definitely from the future” and that they are here to observe the end of the world. When asked how they could have arrived from the future if the world was going to end, Mr Grimsby declined to comment. More on page 8.