Today I continue my series with the second episode: the mysterious ruined manor house off the Coventry Road, Warwick. The land at Guy’s Cliffe has been a magnet for Celtic hermits, holy people, and legendary heroes since well before the Norman Conquest, and for medieval historians and the Warwick earls later. The combination of wildContinue reading “Strange Tales From Paranormal Warwickshire Part 2: Guy’s Cliffe”
Category Archives: English countryside
The Love of British Folk Tradition: Coventry and Kenilworth Morris at Kenilworth Castle on Boxing Day morning
I love Morris dancers, and at Kenilworth Castle on Boxing Day morning, all those who had braved the icy winds and crisp chill of the atmosphere were treated to several dances by the Coventry Morris and the Chinewrde Morris Dancers of Kenilworth. Male and female dancers entertained us while we were fortified with hot chocolateContinue reading “The Love of British Folk Tradition: Coventry and Kenilworth Morris at Kenilworth Castle on Boxing Day morning”
Book Review: ‘The Fever of the World’, book 16 in Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins series
Today I review The Fever of the World by Phil Rickman, who is one of my favourite authors. Phil’s genre defies categorisation, but Amazon often kindly list him under Welsh crime, and he variously takes the tags contemporary horror, horror thrillers, paranormal, women sleuths, gothic romance, and mystery, the last two being the case withContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Fever of the World’, book 16 in Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins series”
National Garden Scheme Open Gardens in Hunningham, Warwickshire
Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire Cover Reveal Coming Soon…
It’s not long now till Christmas 2021, and I was delighted to receive the first proof of my forthcoming book Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, and of the cover design. I love the choice of photos for the cover, and their design and layout. I look forward to being able to share my Cover Reveal withContinue reading “Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire Cover Reveal Coming Soon…”
Compton Verney, Warwickshire
Compton Verney is one of my favourite places in Warwickshire, and it features in my current WIP, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire. A gracious Georgian mansion set in a Capability Brown landscape with a tranquil lake, it has a fascinating history. During the course of the twentieth century, this brought it through a variety of owners,Continue reading “Compton Verney, Warwickshire”
The Joy of English Woodlands
At this time of year in England, there is something healing about walking in the woodlands. I always feel that some of the loveliest flowers of all are cow parsley and bluebells. I am also lucky enough to be a member of Songlines, a local community choir, and as the pandemic lockdown rules have beenContinue reading “The Joy of English Woodlands”
Perfect Cottage Retreat in the Surrey Hills
Hello – I write on the first day of the relaxation of the lockdown here in the UK and we have travelled from Warwick in the Midlands to the lovely Surrey Hills, close to Leith Hill Tower with its wonderful views. This early 18th century cottage was originally a gamekeeper’s cottage and is hiddenContinue reading “Perfect Cottage Retreat in the Surrey Hills”
Warwickshire Lockdown Walks
Curious how when we are instructed by the government to stay at home and only venture out for a very few clearly defined purposes, those of us who didn’t do enough walking prior to the pandemic suddenly find ourselves seizing the opportunity to get out every day. And I am one of those. Living inContinue reading “Warwickshire Lockdown Walks”
Cornwall Mini Series Part 15: Lanhydrock National Trust
A vast parkland, a major historical house which has so many associated buildings clustered around it, alongside its own church, it seems like a village in itself – and a garden of ingenuity, beauty and variety, which surprises and delights you as you explore its paths, its structure and colourful planting: this is Lanhydrock. CloserContinue reading “Cornwall Mini Series Part 15: Lanhydrock National Trust”
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