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Showing posts from January, 2012

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

I went to see the Dickens Exhibition recently at the Museum of London. I really enjoyed it, and loved seeing many examples of manuscripts which showed his tiny writing, (I felt for his editor) as well as seeing personal items like his desk and chair. It's well worth a visit! As I hadn't been to the museum for a while, I thought I'd take a look round at the rest of the exhibits. I've always enjoyed this unique museum, and it's lovely to see they're adding new displays. I especially loved the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens which has been set up as a walk-in experience to give you a flavour of what it would have been like. With costumes from the era, and a film projected on the walls which show actors in various situations from family groups to lovers' trysts, you can sit amongst candlelit trees to watch the performance. I noticed they have an event,   a Pleasure Garden Ball taking place on February 14th, Valentine's Day! Details from their website below:

Rice Portrait Update

If you've visited my blog before you will know that I've written at length about this delightful portrait of Jane Austen by Ozias Humphry. There's a lovely article in JASNA news this month by Anne Rice, the owner of the portrait, and her brother, Robin Roberts, which is introduced by the editor, Sheryl Craig. Click on the picture for a larger image. There are some exciting developments happening as I write - all I can say at the moment is to keep watching the website    The Rice Portrait of Jane Austen for more information!

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year - I hope it is a blessed, peaceful and joyous one! I was in Bath for New Year, and thought you'd like to see a snippet of the wonderful fireworks we saw as we stood by the weir near Pulteney Bridge - thank you to the person who filmed this last minute for us to enjoy! The Abbey bells rang out to herald in the New Year - a brilliant start to an exciting 2012.