Beloved Eleanor

I was excited to hear recently that the Eleanor Cross at Charing Cross in London has been restored.  Though it is not an original cross, and in the incorrect place as well (outside Charing Cross station) I am still really fond of it.

It’s beautifully done, and also happens to be a Victorian replica, which makes it all the more attractive to me!

Check out the article and pictures on the BBC News website.

You can also see a postcard of the Charing Cross from my collection here (scroll down to the bottom image).

See you there!

Ooops *shameful face* I completely forgot to update on my study/exams.

I am pleased to say that I passed all my exams, and was offered and accepted a place on the MA History of Art, starting this September!  Scary times!  Looking forward to it though!

I managed to have some long overdue time off recently, and guess what?  I managed to squeeze in some castle visits!  Big surprise there eh?!

I went up to re-visit Huntly Castle, which is always a good one for a meander around, and picked up a book published by Historic Scotland called Clan and Castle.  It has a lovely section on Fraser castles and the different branches of the family, also included of course, is Castle Fraser.  A must buy then!

Went out with a friend to see Craigston Castle.  It’s a lovely private family home, which opens just a few times a year for visitors.  It reminds me in looks a little of Fyvie, a bit like a white-washed version.  It’s a really fascinating house, and do try and visit when you can.

Lastly, I took a trip around Pitmedden Garden.  I’d never had enough time to really look, and the Victorian house and the farming museum are really nice, but the gardens themselves are very old indeed, and beautiful.

I did my regular visit of Fyvie and Haddo last week too.  Yes, I am a castle junkie…did I mention I went to Glamis and Edzell Castles in April too??

Out and about on my travels I found the following ‘new’ things for my collection:

Another vintage postcard of The Monument, and an engraving of Regent Street I rescued from a junk shop in a really ratty frame.

I’ve been listening to a lot of new music lately.  I don’t know if it’s the time of year, the freedom from study or what.  But I’ll enjoy it all the same!

Some of you may remember my mentioning 30 Seconds to Mars a couple of years ago.  They have now released a new album, and I’m loving the single Closer to the Edge.  My fave from the new album This is War is Hurricane.

Check our Closer to the Edge, it’s fab!

Also loving their cover of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance.

Also loving: Muse, Biffy Clyro and Marina and the Diamonds…

Due to requests, here is a small pic of my crystal necklace, which was inside the French chocolate box.  It’s not a great pic, but I hope to do some restoration to the necklace – so I will take a better one when it is finished.

You ‘get the picture’, right?

You’ll also be pleased to know that I have finished my courses, and the exams, and am just waiting for confirmation that I have passed everything.  Watch this space…

Also, I’ve finally managed to catch up on films, and have now seen Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes and Alice In Wonderland.  Oh, and some new DVDs I ordered   I finally have some time!

I have also done some genealogy for the first time in ages, and I have lots to catch up on, and charts to make/amend.

I also have another ‘new’ aquisition.  I shall share soon…thanks to all of you that are still visiting.

Ooops!  I forgot to post an Easter update of this year’s creations by the Mum.  Cue pic:

You will be pleased to know they all found new homes in time for Easter…

Check out a new acquisition of mine, a Victorian – so I’m told – chocolate box from Paris.  Its picture is still really fresh, and it has its original lace around the edge too.  No chocolates in there I’m afraid…

It is from the chocolatiers Marquise de Sevigne, which is still going today.

A nice bonus also was the necklace that was inside it.  I think this needs re-stringing though, as I’d love to wear it, but I don’t dare at the moment.

Some of you may remember my posting of the video advertising the book Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, and that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the very first in the series.

I’ve not managed to read the books as yet, but I’m a big fan of the book videos!  They are genius.

Here is the prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – the Dawn of the Dreadfuls.  How did Elizabeth and her sisters become zombie slayers?