{sisters reunion}

Today I went for a lovely country walk in the perfect English summer sunshine--the birds were singing and as I walked through some farmland and across a bridge over a stream, I came across children who were busy catching crayfish. It brought back memories of my childhood, reading of heroines walking through the English countryside in my favourite novels by Jane Austen, the Brontës, George Elliot...the list goes on. Growing up the youngest of five girls, it's no surprise we liked to think we were the Bennett sisters and would often get dressed up in bonnets & long dresses and pretend we were walking to Meryton.
So it was with great excitement that we decided to have our sisters reunion at my house here in England in April. We didn't receive a proposal from Mr Darcy, but we did enjoy country walks, stately homes, lots of tea, and a masked ball.
I realise these pics are very late--it has been a particularly hectic time with work, finishing up two books on top of lots else, but looking at these pictures brings a big smile to my face & I feel so very fortunate to call these amazing women my sisters!

{Woburn Abbey}

{having tea in the gardens at Woburn Abbey}

{& of course! matching pjs to drink our tea in!}

{& a Sunday roast dinner dressed in our finest!}

{masked ball}

{we are 5!}

So you can see we really had fun! Now I just can't wait for the next reunion!
xo
L

{Mr Darcy country--Derbyshire and the Peak District Part II}

In my previous blog, I discussed travelling to Lyme Park and exploring Mr Darcy country...
But I didn't finish!
We also went for a lovely walk in the Dovedale Hills--with striking views of the Peak District and also visited Chatsworth.
I wish we had had more time, because the Peak District is simply stunning...
You'll probably recall this iconic scene from the 2005 version of P&P with Keira:

{what are men to rocks & mountains?}

{Dovedale}

{this is England!}

{mehhh}

Chatsworth was also stunning--the house that Austen based 'Pemberley' on and also the house where the 2005 version was filmed. To be honest, it was a bit too over the top for me--a bit too Baroque. I think I prefer a little more restrain when it comes to decorating, but then I wouldn't say no to Mr Darcy! Chatsworth is still the residence of the Duke & Duchess of Devonshire, but I didn't have any sightings of these modern day Darcys!

{beautiful Chatsworth!}

{Melissa peruses the artwork!}

{in the main hall}

{the great hall}

{fantastic interiors}

{playing Mrs Darcy!}

My favourite bit was the sculpture court, I think: 

 

{sculpture court}

{romance!}

cheerio,
L