Of Beauty, Battles and Brian

Our National Trust (England, Wales and NI) membership ran out at the end of July, and we replaced it with membership of the National Trust for Scotland. (It is a fair bit cheaper, and they share reciprocal arrangements, and we'll visit places in England and Scotland, possibly Wales....)

I was struck by the difference in the images on the cards. Can you guess which one is which? Of course this year marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn as well as the referendum, so it's hardly likely to be forgot.

My sister TML commented the other day that she could still visualise the cover of this particular book, so I thought I'd blip it for her. It's relevant, as reading this book, The Children of the House, by Brian Fairfax-Lucy and Philippa Pearce, is what made me want to join the National Trust in the first place. I visited the house mentioned in the book, Charlecote Park in Warwickshire, and blipped it last July.

I've now discovered that the Historic Houses Association is running a short story competition that must feature one of their many properties. If only TML and I had been blipping when we visited Ingatestone hall in July 2010! This house, in Essex, has a family connection, and is one that my grandfather Petre knew well. It belongs to the HHA. I fear I am now hooked on houses, must join the HHA, visit some more houses, and write a story.

Ah well, at least if you have an obsession, life is never dull.

The other good news is that my headache lifted today, like the weather. It was a warm, sunny day, but I dared not go out in it. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow, I hope.