Thursday 28 February 2013

Beacon Hill and Downton Abbey!

Here I am at the top of Beacon Hill just off the A34 in Hampshire. I've just climbed 261 metres after a 7 mile walk - talk about fit!
It is one of the many hills where beacons were lit to warn of approaching invaders or attackers and it's certainly very windy up here!
Nearby on the Berkshire Downs is Watership Down where you can walk and see the very cottage where Richard Adams sat down to write his famous book about the rabbits which you might just catch hopping about.
However, behind me to the left you can just make out Highclere Castle, or the fictional Downton Abbey which is open to visitors on various dates between Easter and September. My best memory of the castle is going to see Twelfth Night in the grounds, but having to move indoors because of a thunderstorm. How fabulous to see Shakespeare in that legendary hall!
Have you visited a famous location for a film or a book?

Thursday 14 February 2013

Perfect Book for Valentine's Day - When I Fall in Love by Miranda Dickinson

If you're looking for a perfect book to read to celebrate Valentine's Day, here it is!
When I Fall in Love by Miranda Dickinson is a wonderful story set in Brighton and the romantic city of Paris. Elsie's husband, Lucas, has died leaving her to complete the list of crazy things they meant to do, but never had time. Drawing on her own experiences of singing, Miranda makes Elsie set up a choir with hilarious results when she recruits Woody, an old rocker, to help her. The love interest is the dependable Olly or could it be Torin who annoys Elsie no end? But at the same time she has to wrestle with her feelings. Can she let go of her memories of Lucas and move on?
Miranda has a fabulous website where you can hear her read a passage from this book when the choir give their first performance.
Which is your favourite book for Valentine's Day?