tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post1108974371600644242..comments2023-10-22T14:27:21.241+01:00Comments on From the Desk of Bee Drunken: Visiting JaneBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-15174584932442087062010-05-31T00:47:04.001+01:002010-05-31T00:47:04.001+01:00I am so glad you signed up to be a steward. So, d...I am so glad you signed up to be a steward. So, do you drive an hour each way every Thursday? I love your comittment and your passion.Relyn Lawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01389583730002062714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-61336831063395041022009-09-11T10:32:11.334+01:002009-09-11T10:32:11.334+01:00JAPRA - I've meant to ask you if you ever made...JAPRA - I've meant to ask you if you ever made it there. Well, next time you visit we can go together and then enjoy a cream tea at Cassandra's Cup.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-7919507033344072302009-07-06T14:30:59.818+01:002009-07-06T14:30:59.818+01:00Oh, I have enjoyed catching up on all your lovely,...Oh, I have enjoyed catching up on all your lovely, lovely posts, Bee. But of course, this one is my absolute favourite! I never did get to Chawton (boo hoo), so I thank you from the bottom of my Jane Austen-loving heart for this post!<br /><br />Have you seen the Persuasion manuscript at the British Library? It's wonderful.TBMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05587580447766102705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-53060679275099959862009-06-04T01:16:30.604+01:002009-06-04T01:16:30.604+01:00The Barn, the name of your home - is that borrowe...The Barn, the name of your home - is that borrowed from Jane Austen's life in some way; then there is the name of the Nicolson's home, Long Barn? Coincidences, or simply chosen tributes in recognition of a much loved author? I have often wondered.Margaret Gosdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588297074835472141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-67807702040458944162009-06-03T12:03:02.683+01:002009-06-03T12:03:02.683+01:00Reya - I've always wanted to visit Washington ...Reya - I've always wanted to visit Washington D.C., and reading your blog this past year has made that casual desire a compelling one! I look forward to my tour someday! (And thanks for the generous feedback.)<br /><br />Julochka - I guess that indulgent ridicule is an inevitable part of the marital relationship. (The blog camp comment made me laugh . . .)<br /><br />Margaret Gosden - Most people have a firm favorite when it comes to P&P productions, but I like them all. You cannot go wrong with those characters and that storyline.<br /><br />(I'm sure we all see more of the sights when we have visitors!)Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-64153897916308758002009-06-02T18:11:27.096+01:002009-06-02T18:11:27.096+01:00When we lived in Washington D.C we offered 10 cent...When we lived in Washington D.C we offered 10 cent tours to our friends when they visited from the UK. That was the way we got to see the sights! Now that I live in New York City, I make a point of seeing the local, undiscovered 'sights' and blogging them, like the 1st Century Roman urn, about which even the Grace Church doesn't seem to want to own up to! I guess we do these things when we are ready to. I loved your Jane Austen excursion - I was particularly fond of the film, Pride and Prejudice with Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivia - such wonderful humour!Margaret Gosdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588297074835472141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-24999846263738840682009-06-02T16:32:47.804+01:002009-06-02T16:32:47.804+01:00i've seen that look of indulgent ridicule and know...i've seen that look of indulgent ridicule and know it well. i think most recently in association with the words "blog camp." :-)<br /><br />but i think it's wonderful that you're volunteering there! there's something to a labor of love. :-)julochkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884096685015570257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-83617408500363435382009-06-02T15:23:52.871+01:002009-06-02T15:23:52.871+01:00I would have gone with you in a heartbeat to see J...I would have gone with you in a heartbeat to see Jane Austin's home. Fabulous! Thank you for the "tour" even though I wasn't there in the flesh.<br /><br />Love her desk. Simple and elegant. Amazing to think about the fact that she did not type her books on a laptop, she wrote them by hand, word by word. Wow.<br /><br />Unlike most folks, I love visiting the historical locations in and around DC. If you ever come to visit, I'll happily accompany you anywhere.<br /><br />As for your husband's disdain, well, maybe that's a British thing. I learned long ago that there are truly SERIOUS cultural differences between we Americans and the Brits. I'm sure you know this far better than I do.<br /><br />Bravo! Very cool post.Reya Mellickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076092659507965666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-72162897967338734152009-06-02T14:28:07.041+01:002009-06-02T14:28:07.041+01:00Elizabeth - You always make me laugh! I'm certain...Elizabeth - You always make me laugh! I'm certainly you could never be like the dog lady. :)<br /><br />My Castle in Spain - As I gaze at my own cluttered desk, I marvel again at Jane's small, spare one!<br /><br />The Things We Carried - Sometimes I feel overwhelmed (in a good way) by the wealth of history all around us.<br /><br />A Thousand Clapping Hands - A cork bedroom sounds fascinating! I love it when the past is preserved.<br /><br />La Belette Rouge - Thanks for putting it into perspective!<br /><br />Linda - Winchester Cathedral is a David Austin rose. It does smell lovely, and it blooms continuously as well. I have three of them, and they are all covered with blooms at the moment.<br /><br />I'm SURE that you would never take eight dogs on holiday . . .<br /><br />Rinkly Rimes - Haworth is marvellously gray and gloomy, isn't it? About the tower: My mother-in-law has lived just outside London all her life and I'm pretty sure she has never been to the tower!<br /><br />The Dotterel - I HAD noticed that no men had offered an opinion . . . until you, of course, bravely stepped up. I suppose that you could argue that all Austen novels are essentially the same, but a TRUE FAN would never agree to it. :)Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-49574162813542089182009-06-02T10:54:01.630+01:002009-06-02T10:54:01.630+01:00I, too, remain scarred from studying P&P for &...I, too, remain scarred from studying P&P for 'O' level. Seriously, it's hardly an obvious choice for adolescent boys (and <I>this</I>adolecscent boy loved nothing better than reading off-list, so-to-speak). I have tried returning to Jane in later life, but aren't all the books (except, perhaps, Northanger Abbey) the same? (Only the names have been changed...)I'll get my coat.Tim Atkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00858684167484655029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-82781729701018608892009-06-02T04:12:18.778+01:002009-06-02T04:12:18.778+01:00I lived in London for five years and never visited...I lived in London for five years and never visited The Tower. It was always a case of 'one day' and the day never arrived!<br /><br />I visited the Brontes house, though, and found it very grey: well, I suppose it was.Rinkly Rimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07890344869337115307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-11497511990639354062009-06-01T23:51:53.468+01:002009-06-01T23:51:53.468+01:00I totally enjoyed this post, being a Jane fan...I ...I totally enjoyed this post, being a Jane fan...I would have given my arm to go on that tour, it looks gorgeous...I too was amazed at that little chair and desk on which she wrote! And might I add that Winchester Cathedral rose is spectacular and not one I have seen although the name is ringing a bell..it must have a heavenly fragrance! ;)<br /><br />as for the lady with the collies, I looked and thought 'there go I someday'....you see, I am eagerly awaiting the birth of a litter in which I am hoping my little dears are well...I was going to get one female and now am considering two....I must be crazy given I live in a thistle/hay field with stickers for acres but having that many is a bit over the top, although they are like having a nice courteous usually quiet being by your side on that walk... <br /><br />blessings...<br />ps: my daughter would have run for cover too, lol!<br />xoxoxL'Adelaidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10725322054223364858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-57022301425512012242009-06-01T19:38:05.934+01:002009-06-01T19:38:05.934+01:00It could have been worse. You could have told your...It could have been worse. You could have told your husband you have bought 8 dogs that you want to caravan with. It makes the non-paid Austen job sound like a brilliant choice.<br /><br />I envy your visit and I thank you for sharing it with us.La Belette Rougehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686717070120116918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-46057293232227366312009-06-01T17:17:54.344+01:002009-06-01T17:17:54.344+01:00I would have gone with you in a second! I always g...I would have gone with you in a second! I always get happy chills when I view the belongings or work spaces of people I admire. Proust's cork bedroom at the Musee Carnavelet was one such place.<br />Happy June!<br />Catherineceeceehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15962254736526651858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-52558399838576459462009-06-01T16:13:34.080+01:002009-06-01T16:13:34.080+01:00Oh, I LOVE that you are taking advantage of where ...Oh, I LOVE that you are taking advantage of where you are :). Lucky you!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-76837134619392780802009-06-01T15:55:12.938+01:002009-06-01T15:55:12.938+01:00oh..i would love to visit Jane Austen's house..I a...oh..i would love to visit Jane Austen's house..I already saw pictures of her tiny cute desk and at the time i thought how strange to write on such a small table but in the end all she needed was paper and ink. <br />Thank you for the tour Bee!My Castle in Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14572760890022593531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-4924395836490333802009-06-01T12:10:39.599+01:002009-06-01T12:10:39.599+01:00Well, I would have come along on this splendid jau...Well, I would have come along on this splendid jaunt.<br />Yes, to going when it isn't too crowded.<br />Being a docent there might be fascinating -- though maddening too maybe.<br />The tea room sounds excellent.<br />I think I see my future mirroring the dog lady's....Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964291132366262298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-27927248656672182592009-06-01T09:12:57.304+01:002009-06-01T09:12:57.304+01:00Anne - Isn't it the truth? We are always too busy...Anne - Isn't it the truth? We are always too busy just living our lives . . . and hardly ever approach our own areas in a "tourist: camera and notebook" mode.<br /><br />I love that you are such a well-rounded person . . . and can appreciate science, cake and Jane Austen equally.<br /><br />Sarah Laurence - Yes, we were cheated out of our tea and cake, unfortunately. (Not exactly the point of the exercise, but certainly one of its pleasures.) JW is very distinctive looking: very tiny; large glasses and eyes behind them, and a wide mouth and largish nose.<br /><br />As for writing in longhand, I wonder if she played with each sentence in her head before she actually wrote it down?<br /><br />Delwyn - Did you also have the phrase "jolly hockey-sticks" to describe a certain sort of person?<br /><br />Anna - Oh, you must become acquainted with Jane Austen! One of the all-time great English authors.<br /><br />Barrie - I dare not post a picture of the infamous Sigmund! You will just have to imagine him . . .<br /><br />I would like to see YOUR desk too, actually.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-11892473185220871572009-06-01T09:03:17.233+01:002009-06-01T09:03:17.233+01:00JaneyV - Well, I really must come and visit someda...JaneyV - Well, I really must come and visit someday. :) (BTW, I will add Lacock to my list. Wiltshire is well within my driving range.) <br /><br />Like you, I appreciated Jane's qualities from the start. When I was a teaching assistant in graduate school, I taught P & P for a college seminar and I was shocked to discover how many of the 20 year olds didn't "get" her humour. I started <I>Mansfield Park</I> last night -- one that I haven't read in awhile; and I'm "boning up" in case I get called -- and I just marveled at the cleverness in almost every line!<br /><br />Marja-leena - Beethoven's house? That's wonderful. I know that you just got back home from London, but no harm in planning your next trip to England!<br /><br />Willow - One of the reasons that I love my blog-friends is that they pretty much all would think that visiting Jane Austen's house is an excellent idea!<br /><br />Mary-Laure - I've been meaning to visit Dickens'house. Thanks for reminding me!<br /><br />Lizzy - We've had so much glorious sunshine in the last week that living in England feels like heaven.<br /><br />Beth - They said that they would "call." I will certainly let you know if I get the job! Everyone is guilty of not visiting their own city's landmarks, I think. My MIL is a life-long Londoner, and there are SO MANY famous sights that she's never visited. (Yes, I believe that I have expressed indulgent ridicule towards my husband. He has several odd obsessions.)Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-121511369484965012009-06-01T07:53:01.475+01:002009-06-01T07:53:01.475+01:00Perhaps a photo of your husband's expression? :) H...Perhaps a photo of your husband's expression? :) Ha!<br /><br />What a wonderful post. And just looking at Jane's writing space gave me goosebumps. I can only imagine how thrilled and awe-inspiring it would feel "in person."Barriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04678698296265168217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-5060151898205015992009-06-01T05:15:47.390+01:002009-06-01T05:15:47.390+01:00Hey Bee how are you dear? Nice post, thanks for sh...Hey Bee how are you dear? Nice post, thanks for sharing info on Jane Austen, I wasn't really familiar about her, and now I am. Anna :)myonlyphotohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324578791902437827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-16072614529432418252009-06-01T04:02:46.337+01:002009-06-01T04:02:46.337+01:00Hi Bee,
Your 'jolly good fun' phrase made me smil...Hi Bee,<br /><br />Your 'jolly good fun' phrase made me smile - it is such an English turn of phrase and one used a lot by the older generation of New Zealande 'educated well bred women' when I grew up - those with the BBC voices...<br /><br /><br />Your story was jolly good fun (and I don't fall into any of the previous categories...)<br /><br />Happy daysDelwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16813713107604750354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-17101190288848557772009-06-01T01:07:00.132+01:002009-06-01T01:07:00.132+01:00My daughter loves Jacqueline Wilson. I hope she’ll...My daughter loves Jacqueline Wilson. I hope she’ll feel just as enthusiastic for Jane Austen some day when she’s older. My kids are more keen for National Trust teas than for the houses. What was JW like in person? <br /><br />It was fun to see Jane’s tiny desk. I’m more impressed by the idea of writing a novel long hand. It would be so much harder to revise without “find,” “replace all,” "cut," "copy" and "paste." It makes you appreciate the more the beauty of her prose.<br /><br />Good luck with winning that volunteer job – how fun!Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-35933333325826135792009-06-01T00:49:07.312+01:002009-06-01T00:49:07.312+01:00Well, I, for one, wouldn't need to be asked tw...Well, I, for one, wouldn't need to be asked twice to accompany you on a visit to all things Jane Austen. Thank you for sharing your visit with us! I hope you'll tell us more about your volunteering when the time comes. <br /><br />What you say about not visiting the landmarks that are right under our noses is so true. I spent nearly four months in Paris, and not once did I visit the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, or the Tour d'Eiffel. Similarly, I don't get up to the MoMA or any of SF's other fine museums (and other landmarks) nearly as often as I would like.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07338782102030629262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-6206914449163375412009-05-31T23:54:13.280+01:002009-05-31T23:54:13.280+01:00I would have loved to “visit Jane” with you – alth...I would have loved to “visit Jane” with you – although I’m guilty of not visiting places of interest in my own city! (Figuring there’s always time…)<br />Did you take that volunteer job?<br />And expressions of “indulgent ridicule” are quite acceptable if they happen to be reciprocated on occasion! ;)Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14110235078325434919noreply@blogger.com