Regency Romance Novels

I've been taking photographs

Cabinet No 1…

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Last month I persuaded my Goblin to take me to this antique market west of Lincoln. It’s an ex military base where the old RAF buildings have been taken over by various individual businesses many of which sell antiques. I’d decided that I needed (yes, needed) to treat myself to something Georgian…preferably something that had been manufactured before and then survived the Regency period.

Being an overly optimistic soul I had visions of finding an ugly ceramic figurine or clock that no one else wanted. I gave myself a budget (that could be given stretch marks if I saw something that called my name and promised I’d die without it). The Goblin only lasted the first building and then went back to the car for a nap. I carried on, determined to find treasure. After three buildings I’d seen about three things I liked (in the first building), but none of them made me feel anything. I looked at the objects. They stared back. They were lovely, but they weren’t for me…particularly after I gave myself a mental slap and asked myself if I really wanted to spend 80 English pounds for a cup and saucer that for all I knew was worthless. I kept looking. I was feeling exhausted when I entered the fourth building called Astra Antiques Centre. As I stepped inside and saw all the glass cabinets my spirits rose. Behind all that glass had to be at least one thing for me.

Just inside the door, I was peering into the nearest case when I overheard the young man behind the counter tell three apparent customers (who were also young men) that all the best stuff was in cabinet No. 1 which was located at the top of the stairs. I made a mental note to find that cabinet and have a look because it doesn’t cost anything to look at the best stuff and dream. Long before I made it to the stairs I’d seen several Georgian cups and saucers I liked at only 20 – 40 English pounds which compared to 80 seemed like a steal. I didn’t really spend too much time looking downstairs, I was drawn up the stairs by the nagging mystery of cabinet No 1. [Read more…] about Cabinet No 1…

Tatershall Castle…

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It didn’t seem likely that we’d see much sun, but the Goblin had the day off, so Tuesday we took our cameras off to Tatershall Castle (about fifteen miles east of Lincoln). It’s more of a moated tower. It was built at the end of the 15th century and was apparently one of the early large residents built in brick. When visiting most National Trust properties you get a sticker to prove to the volunteers stationed around the property that you’ve paid. I, being paranoid, kept asking the lady at the desk… “Are you sure we don’t need stickers?”…three seconds later…”Are you sure we don’t need stickers?”…ten seconds later etc… How was I to know there would be NO volunteers? No one to stop me from taking five hundred photos! The lady looked at me like she hoped I’d fall down the stairs which wouldn’t be hard. Tatershall has one serious winding staircase (the wedge type that rap around the central pole thingy) from the second floor all the way to the roof. [Read more…] about Tatershall Castle…

My visitor…

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This morning the power cut out as the Goblin was heading out the door. I didn’t check my computer till after he’d left the house…and of course, because I was planning to work on chapter 47, the computer claimed no knowledge of me or my files. Being a computer-incompetent I had to wait for the Goblin to come home to get the computer to cough up my settings, files etc. It was rather annoying, but as I was feeling really rather fatigued (in a good way) from yesterday I went back to bed. When I finally got up (rather late) I dressed and went outside to sit in the sunshine on the deck. It’s my favorite part of living here. It’s a suntrap and there’s only neighbors on the left so if I put my back to the fence I can pretend we live in the blissful rolling countryside (when there’s no children on their way to or from school and the neighbor isn’t out working on his new garden fence). This afternoon it was quiet and warm. I hadn’t been sitting there long when into the garden came a cat; a teenage cat that’s come to visit several times before. [Read more…] about My visitor…

A living work of art…

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I went for a walk in the evening sunshine with my camera. I didn’t think I’d find any pictures. The sun was setting and after an emotional yet positive day my thoughts were turned inward. I intended to have a short gentle walk down the paved road into the countryside as usual, but when I got to the first footpath sign I stopped and admired the young rape seed plants starting to sprout and the rock hard path shaped by endless dog walkers cutting through the field. For the first time in months I decided to walk down into the field. My camera was in my hand, but I didn’t think I’d use it. I knew the path and couldn’t think of anything of interest. Down the hill and over the foot bridge into the next field I noticed the sun, still fairly high, over an overgrown bush and took several unexciting pictures before heading past a boring looking tree and around the corner. Being out of shape, I stopped to catch my breath. Looking back over the way I’d come I saw a pleasant view with the two fields juxtaposed with three trees at various distances all the colours infused with the soft yellow light.

I was about to move on to finish my walk when I suddenly thought I’d try to take a closer shot of the nearest tree because from this side with the sunlight on it the boring tree looked sort of interesting. I’d never walked up that way before. I’d never thought to take a closer look at this tree. Once I was a few feet away I could finally see…at some point it had been struck by lighting or suffered horrific winds. The trunk had been split open. [Read more…] about A living work of art…

Update…

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Dancing the Maypole is progressing. Wednesday I finished chapter 45 and started chapter 46. Today I deleted what I had of 46, but I know where I was going wrong. At least I can write. For most of February into March I felt so poorly with a never ending chest cold I couldn’t think. The book now has 125,115 words and I don’t think it will be longer than 130,000 (hopefully less). The story is rolling to it’s last scene.

Yesterday I didn’t get any writing done because my Goblin took the day off work and we went to the beach (Aldeburgh in Suffolk). It was one of those sunny days with a certain kind of clear light that leaves the brain saturated with visual beauty. [Read more…] about Update…

Another year older…

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Another year older…whether it’s made me any wiser is debatable. The only downside to my birthday has been a hideous chest/head cold which after nearly two weeks is still making me feel miserable (though less miserable than I was a few days ago). I can’t wait for my head to clear so I can get back to work finishing Dancing the Maypole (AKA hitting my head against the proverbial brick wall). I’ve written (and deleted) the next chapter from four different characters’ perspectives. At least I know everything that’s going on…whether I need to or not. Maybe the characters are punishing me for getting impatient with them. I probably want to be done with this book more than is good for my characters (or my mental well being). My sanity aside, I did have a lovely birthday (without cake and ice cream – that’s how healthy my diet is. The closest I come to a treat is a carrot, but I have visibly lost weight which makes me feel good). On my birthday, after being stuck indoors for a few days, I wrapped up like a mummy and went for a walk in the snow with my camera. Of course, the camera battery ran out (because that’s what happens when you find yourself in a magical landscape demanding to be photographed). Thankfully I eventually remembered my phone has a camera so I was able to capture a few lovely shots I would otherwise have missed. These are some of my favorites… [Read more…] about Another year older…