Lizzie Speller
@l1zz1e.bsky.social
Tutor CW Cambridge. Ex Classicist.
Love poetry, water, ruins, churchyards.
Author,The Return of Captain John Emmett; At Break of Day, memoir, lyrics. Short-listed Forward Prize. Judge London Hellenic Prize.
Live Suffolk & Greek island.
Love poetry, water, ruins, churchyards.
Author,The Return of Captain John Emmett; At Break of Day, memoir, lyrics. Short-listed Forward Prize. Judge London Hellenic Prize.
Live Suffolk & Greek island.
Early morning mist rises from the Deben; the frost lingers, the tide is out but blue sky emerges. Sitting, having warm brunch by the river, looking across to Sutton Hoo and its long dead warriors behind the woodland.
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Early morning mist rises from the Deben; the frost lingers, the tide is out but blue sky emerges. Sitting, having warm brunch by the river, looking across to Sutton Hoo and its long dead warriors behind the woodland.
Beautiful day, rich blue sky and sharp frost. Flowers collapsing and black - heliotrope especially (appropriately) has given up the plant ghost. But camellia buds make me smile and show the seasons all have things to offer.
November 21, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Beautiful day, rich blue sky and sharp frost. Flowers collapsing and black - heliotrope especially (appropriately) has given up the plant ghost. But camellia buds make me smile and show the seasons all have things to offer.
Tom Gault has seen in my house and shame…..
November 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Tom Gault has seen in my house and shame…..
Ran through the rain to The Choral, driven by the music and Ralph Fiennes (versatile as ever). Witty, sad, not sentimental. In some ways the background felt more like a stage than a film. And the audience stayed sitting through the credits until Elgar’s music ended.
November 15, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Ran through the rain to The Choral, driven by the music and Ralph Fiennes (versatile as ever). Witty, sad, not sentimental. In some ways the background felt more like a stage than a film. And the audience stayed sitting through the credits until Elgar’s music ended.
The book I most hated reading to my children, so I love this.
November 11, 2025 at 10:59 PM
The book I most hated reading to my children, so I love this.
Midas strikes again. Gold plated tap.
Women beware……
Women beware……
October 31, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Midas strikes again. Gold plated tap.
Women beware……
Women beware……
I’ll never again bore my children by saying ‘Halloween is really an American ritual’ now that I’ve bought a bread pumpkin from the bakery!
October 30, 2025 at 10:51 AM
I’ll never again bore my children by saying ‘Halloween is really an American ritual’ now that I’ve bought a bread pumpkin from the bakery!
Lego Museum break-in. Fortuitously timed Christmas present.
October 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Lego Museum break-in. Fortuitously timed Christmas present.
“Let me be bold and Dye for my Desire.
A Phenix likes to perish in the Fire.”
John Wilmot, Lord Rochester. 1647-1680
A Phenix likes to perish in the Fire.”
John Wilmot, Lord Rochester. 1647-1680
October 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
“Let me be bold and Dye for my Desire.
A Phenix likes to perish in the Fire.”
John Wilmot, Lord Rochester. 1647-1680
A Phenix likes to perish in the Fire.”
John Wilmot, Lord Rochester. 1647-1680
Lechlade-upon-Thames church (1496 with additions).
“Here could I hope, like some inquiring child
Sporting on graves, that death did hide from human sight
Sweet secrets, or beside its breathless sleep
That loveliest dreams perpetual watch did keep”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (who visited it in 1815)
“Here could I hope, like some inquiring child
Sporting on graves, that death did hide from human sight
Sweet secrets, or beside its breathless sleep
That loveliest dreams perpetual watch did keep”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (who visited it in 1815)
October 22, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Lechlade-upon-Thames church (1496 with additions).
“Here could I hope, like some inquiring child
Sporting on graves, that death did hide from human sight
Sweet secrets, or beside its breathless sleep
That loveliest dreams perpetual watch did keep”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (who visited it in 1815)
“Here could I hope, like some inquiring child
Sporting on graves, that death did hide from human sight
Sweet secrets, or beside its breathless sleep
That loveliest dreams perpetual watch did keep”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (who visited it in 1815)
A friend sends south a photo of today’s sunrise in Northumberland.
“Water glitters. Something lets loose
Its cry. A ripple. Rings dilate
Where once a river emptied out
Only uncertainty. Over and over
A curlew flings its loop of sound –
Flings it and captures wildness in its noose” Katrina Porteous
“Water glitters. Something lets loose
Its cry. A ripple. Rings dilate
Where once a river emptied out
Only uncertainty. Over and over
A curlew flings its loop of sound –
Flings it and captures wildness in its noose” Katrina Porteous
October 20, 2025 at 6:53 AM
A friend sends south a photo of today’s sunrise in Northumberland.
“Water glitters. Something lets loose
Its cry. A ripple. Rings dilate
Where once a river emptied out
Only uncertainty. Over and over
A curlew flings its loop of sound –
Flings it and captures wildness in its noose” Katrina Porteous
“Water glitters. Something lets loose
Its cry. A ripple. Rings dilate
Where once a river emptied out
Only uncertainty. Over and over
A curlew flings its loop of sound –
Flings it and captures wildness in its noose” Katrina Porteous
I like the old words of London, a message from history: painted advertisements, names, long gone institutions. This smart Marylebone house was once Portland Chapel School.
October 16, 2025 at 11:24 AM
I like the old words of London, a message from history: painted advertisements, names, long gone institutions. This smart Marylebone house was once Portland Chapel School.
What does one do (apart from the obvious) with a clatter of typewriters. Yearn for the days of the song of the carriage return?
October 14, 2025 at 2:59 PM
What does one do (apart from the obvious) with a clatter of typewriters. Yearn for the days of the song of the carriage return?
I’m British but as a freebie mercenary I’m happy to raise a Welsh Cavalry of Mari Lloyds.
October 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I’m British but as a freebie mercenary I’m happy to raise a Welsh Cavalry of Mari Lloyds.
Oh for another go at the autumnal tasting menu at The Unruly Pig! Still thinking of it when I woke up: the grass green of rich broccoli soup, the tender/crispy fish, the texture of perfect pork and pumpkin, tiny perfect creme brulée, and a blackberry in a chocolate mousse. Superb Georgian red wine
October 12, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Oh for another go at the autumnal tasting menu at The Unruly Pig! Still thinking of it when I woke up: the grass green of rich broccoli soup, the tender/crispy fish, the texture of perfect pork and pumpkin, tiny perfect creme brulée, and a blackberry in a chocolate mousse. Superb Georgian red wine
A wonderful surprise: Hogarth’s murals in St Bartholomew’s hospital, 300 years after they were seen by the public, now restored and open since yesterday.
The only large scale paintings he ever did - close observation of sickness and injury. The hope was that it would draw benefactors to donate.
The only large scale paintings he ever did - close observation of sickness and injury. The hope was that it would draw benefactors to donate.
October 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A wonderful surprise: Hogarth’s murals in St Bartholomew’s hospital, 300 years after they were seen by the public, now restored and open since yesterday.
The only large scale paintings he ever did - close observation of sickness and injury. The hope was that it would draw benefactors to donate.
The only large scale paintings he ever did - close observation of sickness and injury. The hope was that it would draw benefactors to donate.
Autumn and a mass of words are blooming. Here, Big blue liliturf; Panicle hydrangea, and Beggarsticks.
October 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Autumn and a mass of words are blooming. Here, Big blue liliturf; Panicle hydrangea, and Beggarsticks.
The City of London at dusk
L’heure bleu. L’heure rose
L’heure bleu. L’heure rose
October 4, 2025 at 7:11 PM
The City of London at dusk
L’heure bleu. L’heure rose
L’heure bleu. L’heure rose
The books: Chapter Two
Even ones on shelves are not in order.
I need the librarian equal to the night brownies who take over chores. Plus ghost of Melvil Dewey.
On my childhood books I still have my own system in biro on the spines ( did anyone else do this?)
It’s been downhill ever since.
Even ones on shelves are not in order.
I need the librarian equal to the night brownies who take over chores. Plus ghost of Melvil Dewey.
On my childhood books I still have my own system in biro on the spines ( did anyone else do this?)
It’s been downhill ever since.
October 3, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The books: Chapter Two
Even ones on shelves are not in order.
I need the librarian equal to the night brownies who take over chores. Plus ghost of Melvil Dewey.
On my childhood books I still have my own system in biro on the spines ( did anyone else do this?)
It’s been downhill ever since.
Even ones on shelves are not in order.
I need the librarian equal to the night brownies who take over chores. Plus ghost of Melvil Dewey.
On my childhood books I still have my own system in biro on the spines ( did anyone else do this?)
It’s been downhill ever since.
Books have bred overnight. That’s the problem of leaving them un- observed.
Under one lot is a C18 square piano. Or was. They may have eaten it.
#bookworms #library
Under one lot is a C18 square piano. Or was. They may have eaten it.
#bookworms #library
October 2, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Books have bred overnight. That’s the problem of leaving them un- observed.
Under one lot is a C18 square piano. Or was. They may have eaten it.
#bookworms #library
Under one lot is a C18 square piano. Or was. They may have eaten it.
#bookworms #library
After many months of gazing at packed books, decided to do away with the boxes. Progress! Or not. Instead, I have covered every surface with liberated books and, of course, work disrupted to greet old friends (and some strange unknowns) plus need to go to the tip, car laden with cardboard.
October 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
After many months of gazing at packed books, decided to do away with the boxes. Progress! Or not. Instead, I have covered every surface with liberated books and, of course, work disrupted to greet old friends (and some strange unknowns) plus need to go to the tip, car laden with cardboard.
I’m teaching face to face residential weekend, with Guardian writer Derek Niemann, from October 17th to Sunday 19th. Creative Writing for beginners to those well on the way. Exercises in imagination and techniques, and fun. In ancient Madingley Hall and its magical gardens, University of Cambridge.
September 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I’m teaching face to face residential weekend, with Guardian writer Derek Niemann, from October 17th to Sunday 19th. Creative Writing for beginners to those well on the way. Exercises in imagination and techniques, and fun. In ancient Madingley Hall and its magical gardens, University of Cambridge.
Deadline reached for #NYCMidnight rhyming story challenge. My allocated compulsory features: extraterrestrial; horror; intimidation! Took five days of thinking in the bath to even start.
At least it wasn’t elves.
At least it wasn’t elves.
September 14, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Deadline reached for #NYCMidnight rhyming story challenge. My allocated compulsory features: extraterrestrial; horror; intimidation! Took five days of thinking in the bath to even start.
At least it wasn’t elves.
At least it wasn’t elves.
Framlingham, Suffolk
#adoorabledoors
#adoorabledoors
September 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Framlingham, Suffolk
#adoorabledoors
#adoorabledoors