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
I took The Boy Child to his first evening concert at the Royal Albert Hall recently and invited my sister-in-law to join us. We went to see/listen to The Kingdom Choir (you may recall hearing them here) and we went for two reasons ... 1) they're bloomin' good and 2) we know one of the … Continue reading The Kingdom Choir at the Royal Albert Hall
Everything I read in September was in 'real book' form. There was a biography, a novel and a compilation of letters. Ma'am Darling by Craig Brown: In this rather irreverent look at the life and times of Princess Margaret, Brown serves up 99 tales, some funny, some cringeworthy and some simply awful. I never met … Continue reading Currently Reading | September 2018
I do like a wedding! And Saturday's wedding, a small affair you may have heard mentioned here and there, was the perfect excuse to dust off the family heirloom, break open the bubbles before lunchtime and eat cake. I have my own story of meeting Prince Harry. Not long after I'd left the RAF, I … Continue reading Royal Wedding Brunch
London is currently purple lilac, and not because of the Royal Wedding. Blossom season has been and gone and the wisteria is now bursting out everywhere you look. Because of the late arrival of Spring, thanks to the Beast from the East, it's later than usual, but still stunning. Take a look ...
Sadly, the UK has just one national chain of bookshops left. Thankfully, there are numerous independent bookshops around the country that are managing to hang on and keep their doors open; London has some real gems. Here are three of my favourite: John Sandoe Books can be found just off the King's Road in Chelsea (nearest Tube: … Continue reading London’s Independent Bookshops
Monday has rolled around again, and that means it's time to join in with the lovely Sian and share something that I've learnt over the weekend ... Tree plantings are emotional things. That's not something I'd ever considered before. I mean, it's not as if you ever see HM The Queen looking misty-eyed as she plants her … Continue reading Memorandum Monday
I discovered C. J. Sansom in 2011, back when The Brainy One won a box of books. He (C. J. Sansom, not The Brainy One) writes historical whodunnits/thrillers/mysteries set in the reign of Henry VIIIand the unlikely hero is a hunchback lawyer called Matthew Shardlake.The Tudor period of British history has always been my favourite. As a schoolgirl, I was … Continue reading Currently Reading
Back in early May, when The Brainy One and I went to vote, we took The Boy Child with us.The Boy Child was very interested in the proceedings.The Returning Officer was very interested in knowing thatI hadn't allowed a minor to mark my ballot paper. I hadn't.I don't often include national or international news stories in our … Continue reading Scrapbooking National Events
Following on from yesterday's post, I discovered at the 11th hour that I could no longer fit into my 15 year old LBD.Nor could I get into my even older LBD. (worn to The Queen Mother's Christmas Cocktail Party in St. James's Palace in 1997.) So I went with my Christmas party dress.And I was completely overdressed.
