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See how our new pond's coming on!

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The Pleasures of Ponding!

‘We really must replace the allotment pond.’ Hubcap and I had been saying this to each other for at least the last five years, but because it was a big job (if not as big as one might think) and not our most urgent priority, for one reason or other it kept getting shunted to the bottom of our slack season to-do list. Originally installed by my late father-in-law – then a novice allotmenteer who…

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Blood Magic Chapter 17: the saga continues!

Welcome back to my sporadic, slightly spooky school saga! If you’re new to it and would like to read what came before, here are the collected Chapters 1 – 14, Chapter 15, and Chapter 16. Hopefully you won’t have to wait quite as long for the next instalment… Chapter 17: Jake ‘Hey, Ellie! Wake up!’ said a voice near my ear. Jake?! I floated up from the dark depths through a thinning purple fog…

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Best Anniversary Adventures - & a Gorgeous Gatehouse!

Since acquiring Foxy-cat who doesn’t pine unduly when left, and an assistant gardener-cum-house-sitter to look after him/our other creatures and crops so I dare to stay away for longer than the odd night, for the past three years our traditional autumn Wedding Anniversary Adventure has been a bit more- well, adventurous. Knepp, ’23 – ‘24 Having learned through painful experience that hotels, no…

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Haddon Hall Mysteries #1: The Portraits in the Parlour

On a recent visit to Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, a wonderfully restored Tudor time-capsule and home of the Vernon and Manners families since the 12th century, I became intrigued by three ‘mystery’ c…

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Haddon Hall Mysteries #1: The Portraits in the Parlour

On a recent visit to Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, a wonderfully restored Tudor time-capsule and home of the Vernon and Manners families since the 12th century, I became intrigued by three ‘mystery’ carved portraits in the oak-panelled Parlour. The two larger images are of a man and a woman, facing one another over a doorway into a small side-chamber adjoining the Banqueting Hall, (possibly a…

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Tripping the Light Fantastic - Review of Eonarium at Leeds City Museum

The rare rainy Saturday just gone gave us and a couple of friends the perfect opportunity to take a train to Leeds and check out the spectacular new Eonarium Enlightenment show at the City Museum, a handy ten-minute stroll from the station. Variations on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as you’ve never heard or seen it before! Ads for this interpretation of Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons, one of my…

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Blood Magic Chapter 16 - on with the story!

Only a short chapter this time, Blood Magic followers, but it ends with a bang (and I’m already on with the next)! WARNING: if you’re new to this slightly spooky coming-of-age story loosely inspired by my schoolgirl shenanigans, read the preceding chapters first, or you’ll spoil the surprise! This chapter’s totally SFW, others have the odd sexual swear word, actual or implied, a few milder…

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Ha Ha Karma Postscript: An Open Letter to X

Three summers ago, I had an experience so unprecedented and disturbing I’ve been unable to forget it, especially round anniversary times. So, for catharsis, I’m writing this open letter to the X of Ha Ha Karma who may find it unpalatably frank should it chance to float by them, (assuming they had a shred of interest in anything I might say at this point). Doesn’t matter, though. What matters is…

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(via Blood Magic Chapter 15 - on with the story!) https://helenraerants.wordpress.com/2025/06/01/blood-magic-chapter-15-on-with-the-story/

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Blood Magic Chapter 15 - on with the story!

What are thirteen of Eloise’s new friends up to, sneaking off at midnight and leaving her alone in Hidden House? Find out in the latest chapter of my slightly spooky school saga – some drug references and several mild swears, otherwise clean and safe. Enjoy! (If you’re coming upon it for the first time, you’ll find all preceding chapters on here too). Chapter 15: Secrets To know or not know,…

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We may not yet have constant baking heat, but the ongoing lack of rain is causing a drought - so try our professional gardening tips to keep your garden alive through a hot, dry summer!

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Keep Your Garden Green Through the Drought

Beating the Heatwave: my Top Tips for Garden Survival

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Book Review: Around the Ice in Eighty Years

Front cover: a three-year-old Courtney takes his first steps on ice at Bournemouth’s Westover Ice Rink AROUND THE ICE IN EIGHTY YEARS: AN IRREVERENT MEMOIR BY AN ACCIDENTAL CHAMPION by Courtn…

To mark the 92nd birthday on 30th April of Courtney Jones OBE, one of our greatest ice-dance champions and creator of some of Torvill

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Blood Magic - the latest full story, Chapters 1 - 14

Here’s the latest version of my slightly spooky coming-of-age story, loosely inspired by my schooldays, aimed at teen/young adult readers but apparently entertaining to older readers as well! No sex or violence, some drugs, plenty of rock n’ roll, some mild swears, implied bad language and the odd sexual swear-word, I hope you’ll find it amusing – and as ever, do let me know what you…

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Blood Magic Chapter 14

My slightly spooky school saga continues! Plenty of rock n’ roll, some drug references and implied bad language, but no sex – and as ever, your feedback is warmly invited. If you’ve missed the preceding chapters, look out for my imminent next blog – the latest full version, from the preface to the present chapter. Enjoy! Chapter 14: Later Oh. My. God. I just slumped, too sick, stunned and shaky…

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The latest instalment of my sporadic, slightly spooky school story (all preceding chapters also on here) – some underage drink and drug-use, but otherwise safe for your tea-break at work. As …