It's peony envy season!

Taking a moment to celebrate the iconic sartorial stylings of rural Hampshire in the late 80s.

It's the anniversary of my grandfather's death today and also the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I think he'd have enjoyed this fact if he could have known it. I can hear his chuckle. Missed and loved, dear Gaffer.

Highly erotic.

I'm really enjoying Helen Castor's The Eagle and The Hart. I wanted to read it for John Talbot's origin story, but it has the bonus of rehabilitating Henry IV in my mind and introducing the fascinatingly peculiar character of Richard II. One could write a good novel about a man like that.

5 years working on Eleanor Talbot and I still feel the excruciating urge to addend all my emails with PS I AM NOT A CRACKPOT.

Snakeshead fritillaries in my garden. One of my favourite flowers - I'm never not thrilled when they appear.

My garden needs some attention but is blessed with some big fat wodges of primroses. The aquilegia is unfurling and you can see the bluebells popping up too. Spring!

Finally, jeans to suit my body type.
#relaxedbarrel

A beautiful day to walk to Henleaze Waitrose, very much the "naice" side of Bristol (hence the Waitrose). On my way I passed Cary Grant's (or rather, Archie Leach's) childhood home and some terraced bungalows which I've always imagined were built for retirees from - or aspirers to - the Raj.

I teach a course all about writing and the past. Those nubbly snaggy bits of history where the stories hide. 8pm on Monday for 8 weeks - I'll chat and you'll write. The next course starts on the 5th of May and you can get £10 off your booking on this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1251799378...

Also I saw this kiosk at Oxford Circus tube and yelled at my kid that this is what the olden days looked like and urged her to "drink it in".

I had the most wonderful time at @britishlibrary.bsky.social Medieval Women exhibition. Thrilling to see certain items, including Margery Brewes' valentine and the Talbot Shrewsbury Book 🤩
Also appreciated the variety of womanhood including Jewish women and the trans woman Eleanor Rykener. Brava.

Pram in the hall? Never heard of her.

A little morning of reading and exhibitions (and Parsi omelette) for me while baby looms in the background.

The latest addition to my Home For Retired Miniatures. Very cheap but then she's in a right state. I still think she's lovely though.

Isn't it ironic? Dontcha think? #phonics #fonix

I was browsing some photos of Bristol in the 90s and found one of my dear grandparents' street. And there they are outside their house. I can't express how comforting it is to see this.

a 19th century male historian described Margaret Beauchamp/Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, as "as angry a lady as I have observed in all my readings" and if this is not an inducement to reclaim her narrative I don't know what is...

I have this backup notebook that I've been using sporadically since 2017, whenever I can't find my everyday notebook. It's a very special bit of Mermaid and Mrs Hancock promo. It feels sacrilegious to use it up but also really good. What a time in my life that was.