The Gown by Jennifer Robson: Historian-turned-novelist Robson sets her latest historical release in 1947, when times are grim: so many have lost so much, war rationing continues, Britain is in ruins. But in a bleak year, there’s a bright spot: Princess Elizabeth’s royal wedding captured the hearts of a nation, and was a beacon of … Continue reading For the Love of Books | Currently Reading June 2019
Four more spreads have been added to my 'Thrive' traveler's notebook ... New York City ... because you know it was never not going to be included. An outing with friends ... because we all need our friends in order to thrive. Our half-term visit to beautiful Guernsey ... And thoughts on a birthday ...
One of the routes I walk with Tilly takes me past the coffee shop with the chalkboard. I've noticed that the chalked comments don't appear to be as funny/smart/clever as they were back in 2011, but a few have caught my eye. Enough for a semi-regular series again, at any rate. Let's begin again with … Continue reading Wit or Wisdom | 2019
Me: "Are you okay, The Boy Child?" Him: "I've never felt more alive!"
We took a run out into the English countryside recently to visit the beautiful Pitstone Windmill, which dates from the 17th Century (visitors can see the date 1627 carved into a wooden beam). Now belonging to the National Trust, the design of the mill is what is known as a post mill, which means the whole … Continue reading Pitstone Windmill
The lovely Mary-Lou of Patio Postcards blog pointed me recently in the direction of Brené Brown‘s new weekly gratitude practice, TGIF. Most of us would recognise TGIF as an acronym for Thank God It’s Friday, but in Brené’s world it stands for Trusting, Grateful, Inspired and Fun. Because, Tilly Trusting: that the weather will be kind for an … Continue reading TGIF | With A Difference #2
Even though our stay in Guernsey was just for a few days, I knew that there would be a lot of photos and ephemera; too many for the mini traveler's notebooks I've been using this year. Inspired by a post on the In a Creative Bubble blog, I went with a 6x8 album from Simple … Continue reading Guernsey | The 6×8 Album
Queen Victoria in front of the Guernsey Museum Above the financial district in St Peter Port are the 19th Century Candie Gardens. Once part of a private estate, the Gardens were bequeathed to the islanders and turned into a public park. The statue of Queen Victoria is diplomatically separated from a more flamboyant statue of … Continue reading Guernsey | Candie Gardens
As you might expect, Guernsey has its fair share of museums. We chose to concentrate on just two: La Valette Underground Military Museum is on the coastal edge of St Peter Port and is a tunnel complex built by slave labourers during the German Occupation. The tunnels served as a refuelling station for U-boats, and … Continue reading Guernsey | War Museums
Hauteville House Ah, Victor Hugo ... him behind the classic that is Les Mis ... turns out he lived on Guernsey for 15 years. He left France after insulting Napoleon III in 1851 and settled in Jersey. However, after criticising Queen Victoria, he was asked to leave, which is how he ended up in St … Continue reading Guernsey | Victor Hugo’s House
This West London Life 