A Fine Evening

Last night I was invited by my new host family to a charity event that they had worked to organize. It took place in an old mansion called Jaggard's House. There, after having served food and wine to the participants, I sat by the fire in the main room. The enormous chimney had the date 1657 encrypted into it. I was asked to pull out my guitar and sing a few tunes. The people gathered around on the couch and chairs, listening and sipping the last of the wine.

"House belonged to a holding referred to in 1340, held by Kington family c1560-1766, passed to J. Shore, Leir family and in 1866 to J.B.Fuller of Neston Park"

My New Home in the Wilderness

Today I moved yet again. The old couple I'm staying with have a beautiful old home with antique furniture and all sorts of period decorations. Two giant male labradors rule the downstairs area, but luckily my room is upstairs furnished with an elegant wardrobe through which I may be able to enter Narnia. It feels peculiar typing on my computer in this place. I should be writing on paper with a feather pen - an oil lamp illuminating my page from the corner of this old wooden desk.
It is quiet here, although every half hour or so I can hear the London-Bristol train pass right behind the Wilderness - which is what the house is called. (In England, the practice of naming one's house is not uncommon).
I have a good feeling that I'll enjoy living here. Let's at least hope it plays out better than last time.