Diana Wynne Jones

Very sad to hear of the death of Diana Wynne Jones this morning.

I visited her in the hospice a few times over the last week, and it was noticeable how rapidly she was declining. They had been hoping to bring her home yesterday, but she was pronounced too ill for that - so I'm not surprised by this, but still shocked.

She had been in a good deal of pain, and the painkillers were making her drift in and out of consciousness much of the time. Also, the cancer had affected her eyesight. But when she was awake her mind and her humour were still there, even when I last saw her on Wednesday. I shall miss her a great deal.

Diana Wynne Jones

Very sad to hear of the death of Diana Wynne Jones this morning.

I visited her in the hospice a few times over the last week, and it was noticeable how rapidly she was declining. They had been hoping to bring her home yesterday, but she was pronounced too ill for that - so I'm not surprised by this, but still shocked.

She had been in a good deal of pain, and the painkillers were making her drift in and out of consciousness much of the time. Also, the cancer had affected her eyesight. But when she was awake her mind and her humour were still there, even when I last saw her on Wednesday. I shall miss her a great deal.

Taking Flight for Heaven, Without a Death

To cheer myself up, I unearthed some pictures that I took back in 2005, when I arranged a pre-birthday treat for Diana by giving her a picnic in Castle Park. This was followed by a trip in the tethered balloon that used to summer there. The light was wonderful, the balloon had a touch of Miyazaki, and we had great views of the bombed-out church, the old warehouses, and everything else that time and the Council had left standing in that part of Bristol.

Somehow the height and space and light and warmth feel like a good antidote for today.









More photos here.

Taking Flight for Heaven, Without a Death

To cheer myself up, I unearthed some pictures that I took back in 2005, when I arranged a pre-birthday treat for Diana by giving her a picnic in Castle Park. This was followed by a trip in the tethered balloon that used to summer there. The light was wonderful, the balloon had a touch of Miyazaki, and we had great views of the bombed-out church, the old warehouses, and everything else that time and the Council had left standing in that part of Bristol.

Somehow the height and space and light and warmth feel like a good antidote for today.









More photos here.