Palantir

The icons pass, one by one! ☹️☹️

Caregivers are unsung heroes in many of our societies, oft-times cruelly taken for granted, and offered a fraction of the support they deserve. Fight the black dogs, I know you will, but also look for help through the times when they drag you down. All the best - young man!!

Hmm! I don't know this one and after your description I'll definitely look out for it. I've read stacks of A D Foster, with my favorites being Pip and Flinx series and the Damned, and pretty much enjoy them all.

Great to hear. This story was my first attempt at featuring humour. At my school there was no pool and swimming was for the few odd-bods prepared to ride their push-bikes a couple of kilometers to the beach.

Lol - a fine state of affairs.

Hmm! Curious. Thanks for pointing that out - now fixed.

Thank you. I hope your enjoyment continues.

All the best for the move.

I'm almost finished a re-read of the Modesty Blaise series by Peter O'Donnell. - wonderfully addictive action thrillers by an author I class as a master storyteller.

Hi MrWill, I wanted to PM you but discovered I can't. The 'rural Ohio' is Columbus Guy's post, not mine. I've lived in Aus all my life (not as extensive as yours but getting there ). Australian writing conventions are closer to British than American but there are still differences. I'm enjoying your language and meaning insights. Keep'm going, please

Definitely a spelling error - thanks for pointing it out. Fixed now.

Thank you @Will Hawkins, That's great to hear. I decided at the start of my writing to use my own 'voice' and not regretted it since. Lol - I like to think of them as 'Australian-isms'.

Yep! Time will tell!

Unknowns like that are soul eaters and I wish you all the best in fighting them.

Thank you, @ancientrichard, I find myself in the curious author position then, of being glad to hear you feel sad.

Congratulations, Wayne!

Spot on in all respects. Lol - Way over the top - Alex pretty much outBonds James Bond (and interestingly, Anthony Horowitz was commissioned by the Ian Fleming estate to write new James Bond novels). - evidently 'over the top' works too, as Alex Ryder novels have sales of over 19 million.

Whoo! and this series is based on just one book (Point Blanc) out of thirteen written by Anthony Horowitz (Foyle's War). Brilliant!

Yes, the possibilities are almost daunting - what if mighty Maurice has to face some sort of challenge in Kieran's absence? - there are SIX Earth Nexuses? - will technology play some part in Kieran's restored Realm? - the Melbourne oracle? - a Realm Tree in the middle of Australia? - Kieran and Rhys - a Guardian for the oceans of Earth? - White Power? Lol - Wall sized murals!

Many thanks @alexlittel I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed the story.

Well, I sure hope it's not the end - my writing projects proceed at their own pace though and I've learnt a new story comes in its own way rather than from the dictates of my bidding. It's a joy to hear how you identify with KIeran, Rhys and co. I must admit that in my own mind that take on an extraordinary degree of 'reality'. Mparntwe - As well as a kind of awe at a culture which could live in harmony with this old continent for 50/60K years (some research suggests maybe 150K yrs) I have wonderful memories of camping and hiking the wild areas to the east and west. (200 kms of the Larapinta trail in the West Macdonell Ranges). The Valley of the Eagles (my author's name for it) really exists and if all goes well will be a BIG feature for Woorawa's story. Thank you for your wonderful support.

Lol - yep! Madness indeed - but a delightful kind of madness. Yes, the path we follow is often different to the path we set out on. Footy! Well - I've never been a follower but the first (and only) big league match I ever attended was about 60 yrs ago at Kardinia Park in Geelong where lived as a teenager.

Thank you! Yeppers! - there will be more (but don't hold your breath)

Lol - it has been quite a while since I first started posting (under a different pen-name) and almost scary that the time passes so quickly. Yes, despite deciding never to post before I had at least a rough first draft, I did start and as usual was caught out by the characters and events developing way beyond my expectation. any new stories will appear on GA before anywhere else.

Thanks for your thoughts @back2basics and sorry about the unavoidable waiting. My writing output seems to be a slow steady process which has a mind of its own. I love your use of the word 'epic' as it reflects my own view of the wide range of possibilities ahead.