A rare ( even rarer than an honest Stagonian ) visitor to the Duchy was sighted upon the Palace roof today. According to the Book of Sightings , which the Master of the Aviary has kept for centuries, no Hoopoe has been ever observed in the Duchy of Tradgardland.
The house spirit continues to sense a tension in the Ducal Palace. Over the centuries he has seen much and felt the joys and sorrows of myriad people who have worked,lived and loved within these walls.
Alisona and the Ducal family are attending the Opera in the company of the Duc de Padirac this evening.
The recent storms over Tradgardland brought some late snow to the Ducal orchards. The Duke and Duchess walk through the trees sensing their promise for the year ahead. The Duke thinks of the Council meeting scheduled for later this week and the Duchess thinks of her role as mother to Alisona. How will suitors be sought and intentions scrutinised ? The trees speak of their blossoming and that of the Duchy too....
Reality....
The day following my own birthday was that of my wife.On Saturday, as a joint present to us both , my brother -in -law gave to us ( and skilfully planted with great expertise) three bare root apple trees . The are about 5 foot tall and look wonderful in our front garden.They are the first fruit trees we have planted. We all were out helping in the pouring rain and enjoyed every minute of the experience- even though we were soaked to the skin! I gain already great pleasure just looking out at them from the window. They may produce fruit this year.
It is late in the evening of the day after the return of Alisona. The black, diamond encrusted , velvet cope of the sky extends across the Duchy. Karl Frederick and his daughter Alisona pour over the star charts laid out upon the observatory table. Liv has long made her excuses and retired for the night. The remaining pair talk long into the night. Alisona talks of the discord upon Shetland, of the ensuing carnage and the vessels that appeared off the coast there. She has recovered well from her ordeal ,making light of those matters which would normally vex others.
Karl Frederick listens to his daughter with care and attention. Conversations roam across the heavens and back to the earth. It is clear Alisona feels isolated and alone . She expresses a desire that she will not always stay alone - that she is open to suitors and wishes her father to guide her in this delicate matter. The moment passes and father and daughter once more gaze upon the handiwork of God displayed for all to see.
Today I have reached my 48th year. It is World Book Day and I have spent the day enthusing my class with regard to reading. I have tried to convey the joy that books have brought me over the years and continue to bring. My wife ,amongst super gifts , has given me the Cambridge history of medicine. My daughters made superb cards and gifts bought and made. I am truely fortunate. I have sent off ( thru Amazon as ever!) for David Jones's Anathemata and Anne Rice's new novel about Christ- the first was superb and well worth a read!
I am fortunate with good friends, fab family and home and a community of worth and importance in this band of 18th century brothers - EvE ! So thank you one and all for adding another dimension to the hobby for me. My painting schedules may flag (and often do) but your blogs continue to be inventive and excellent fun!
I had a superb week at the museum , being able to help produce some useful activities and material for secondary and primary pupils. Highlights included getting to handle medieval books, meeting top surgeons and being involved in a very worthwhile project.
The paintings of the wounded of Waterloo along with some amputated limbs replete with musket balls made me ponder upon the suffering of conflicts and the sacrifice of those who Serve. My mind came back to the fact that we who enjoy the world of little wars , know by our reading the cost of those who follow the flag. It is something we forget at our peril....
p.s photograph is five years old now - I can't believe it!!!!!
A visitor comes into the knot garden and sneaks up upon the Duchess. His presence is announced by a particular aroma and a rather unpleasant one at that.
He is none other than the newly arrived contender to the position of Ducal Surgeon from France . Although he only been in the Duchy a few days he has already caused alarm . There are few people Liv takes a dislike to but he has become one very quickly. The Duchess makes an excuse and exits speedily for her parlour.
