As usual our life has been busy of late - and I have realised that I haven't been blog writing recently. I now write a little about each of this blogs topics - Books, dogs and beaches!
Dogs - Henny, our latest rescue Gordon Setter, is settling in and seems to becoming less panicky. Instead of lying right by our feet all the time, she relaxes in other rooms, or further away from us, which must be a good sign. We have been continuing our 'leaving them' exercises, trying to pop out for a little while most days, and we are gradually getting less damage in the home! Henny obviously searches the house from top to bottom when we leave, but providing we leave internal doors open it means they will not be damaged on our return. There is the occasional broken ornament to greet us, from where she has been looking out of the windows - I am learning to move ornaments to safer places, but when we creep back there doesn't appear to be any barking or crying, so she is obviously settling. Maybe one day, we will be able to go out for an evening! Poppy is gorgeous as ever, and tolerates Henny's behaviour remarkably well, if with some puzzlement. Henny however has shown her some new tricks (Poppy never used to go upstairs until Henny came, and Henny has lead her astray when she has done her escaping activities - we think the garden is now escape proof at long last). We nickname them Bonny & Clyde when they go on their 'naughty' expeditions. They always come back looking very pleased with themselves.
However due to our great neighbour George, who has painstakingly fenced our adjoining boundary with even higher fencing, we hope these escape antics are now at an end.
Books - as ever books continue to multiply. I am sure they breed over night.
The book room is getting a little more organised each week, and now many books are on shelves, they are much easier to locate when we get orders. We recently have bought some great new stock. Top of the list must be some W E Johns books we have bought in from someone who had had them in his loft since he was a child, and was amazed at what we were prepared to pay for them. They included a nice copy of the elusive Biggles and the Deep Blue Sea, which was great to get hold of. We haven't catalogued these on the internet yet, as we thought they would be great as new stock to take to the York National Book Fair, but if anyone reading this is interested in elusive Biggles titles, just contact me to see if we have it in stock now.
(peakirkbooks@btinternet.com)
Beaches. The glorious North Norfolk beaches - which I recently heard described as some of the best beaches in Europe - get a little busier at this time of year, but nevertheless, if you are prepared to walk just a short way, you will soon find vast expanses of sand without people. I must admit we tend to go for beach walks a little less at this busy time of year, but earlier this week we met some friends and went for an early evening walk at Brancaster. Our friends took their 2 Westies and we took our Gordon Setters, and the eight of us had a great time. Our friends showed us where there were some seals - 7 of them enjoying the early evening sunshine. We took care not to show our dogs where they were. We walked along the beach for a while, soon losing most other people, and then back amongst the dunes - where we saw loads of beautiful sea lavender and attractive sea holly. It was a gorgeous evening - even worth the wasp sting and many midge bites I incurred.
I still think that North Norfolk is the most fantastic place to live, and we have no regrets about our move, even if we are worn out with the moving of the 30,000 books. Things are slowly coming together.
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Friday, 6 August 2010
Verily Anderson (Author)
(Taken from her obituary in The guardian Thursday 29 July 2010.)
Verily Anderson was born in Edgbaston, Birmingham, the fourth of five children of the Rev Rosslyn Bruce and his wife Rachel. She recently died aged 95. during her life she had published more than 30 books – memoirs, biographies, children's stories and work ranging from personal reminiscences to Shakespeare scholarship and 10 Brownie books. Her breakthrough as a writer came in 1956, at the age of 41, when she published Spam Tomorrow, a deft and frequently uproarious account of her wartime experiences on the home front. It was a new kind of memoir, one of the first to explore the lives of women in wartime.
During the war Verily met Donald Anderson, a writer who specialised in military history. They married in 1940 and had five children. Donald died in 1956, and by the mid-60s Verily was again struggling financially. She was rescued by the actor Joyce Grenfell. They had struck up a friendship when Verily interviewed Grenfell for the BBC. Grenfell was so shocked at the conditions she found Verily living in that she bought her a home in Northrepps, a village in Norfolk, where she stayed for the rest of her life, writing dozens more books (including the critically acclaimed The Northrepps Grandchildren in 1968) and glorying in the role of matriarch to an ever-expanding family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When Verily married Paul Paget, architect and surveyor to the fabric of St Paul's Cathedral, in 1971, Grenfell was matron of honour.
Verily is survived by her children, Marian, Rachel, Eddie, Janie and Alexandra, 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren – and Alfie, her beloved RNIB guide-dog.
• Verily Anderson, writer, born 12 January 1915, died 16 July 2010
We have books by Verily Anderson for sale on our website at www.peakirkbooks.com
Verily Anderson was born in Edgbaston, Birmingham, the fourth of five children of the Rev Rosslyn Bruce and his wife Rachel. She recently died aged 95. during her life she had published more than 30 books – memoirs, biographies, children's stories and work ranging from personal reminiscences to Shakespeare scholarship and 10 Brownie books. Her breakthrough as a writer came in 1956, at the age of 41, when she published Spam Tomorrow, a deft and frequently uproarious account of her wartime experiences on the home front. It was a new kind of memoir, one of the first to explore the lives of women in wartime.
During the war Verily met Donald Anderson, a writer who specialised in military history. They married in 1940 and had five children. Donald died in 1956, and by the mid-60s Verily was again struggling financially. She was rescued by the actor Joyce Grenfell. They had struck up a friendship when Verily interviewed Grenfell for the BBC. Grenfell was so shocked at the conditions she found Verily living in that she bought her a home in Northrepps, a village in Norfolk, where she stayed for the rest of her life, writing dozens more books (including the critically acclaimed The Northrepps Grandchildren in 1968) and glorying in the role of matriarch to an ever-expanding family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When Verily married Paul Paget, architect and surveyor to the fabric of St Paul's Cathedral, in 1971, Grenfell was matron of honour.
Verily is survived by her children, Marian, Rachel, Eddie, Janie and Alexandra, 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren – and Alfie, her beloved RNIB guide-dog.
• Verily Anderson, writer, born 12 January 1915, died 16 July 2010
We have books by Verily Anderson for sale on our website at www.peakirkbooks.com
Thursday, 8 July 2010
An eventful week.
The weather here has turned for the better, and so we have been enjoying th sunshine, whilst still toiling away at sorting out the books, still moving boxes around. The book room gets more organised daily (although a few shelves still need transporting from Peakirk to here, and fitting) - and why is it that books that are ordered are invariably in a box, at the bottom of a pile of boxes, not sitting nicely on shelves? Not strictly true - but it does feel like it.
Jeff's dad went into hospital nearly 2 weeks ago for an operation. He is 88, so it has been an anxious time for all the family. He is still there, and will be for quite a bit longer I think - but hopefully it will all work out for the best in the long run. Jeff decided to go and visit him, but I couldn't go as I had to'Henny Sit' - she still can't be left. As the hospital is in London, I suggested Jeff had a bit of a rest - something he doesn't often get - and go by train. He took my advice, and I think quite enjoyed the journey from Norwich to London. It was a slow train ride taking a couple of hours, but a chance for him to relax. However after sleepy Norfolk, London came as a culture shock, and I don't think he was sorry to get home again in the evening.
Over the weekend our fridge freezer broke down - the freezer part anyway - and as we hadn't noticed - this meant we had to throw away all the food inside. Now we have to decide whether to get it mended or buy a new one. We hope to do quite a transformation on our kitchen in a year or 2, so would prefer to have a quick mend for now until the kitchen is done, and then buy a new one. We will have to see just what the problem is.
On Sunday we had a day off - most unusual. We put the dogs in kennels for the day (they both seem happy there) and set off to Holt for the Vintage Transport Weekend held by the North Norfolk Railway. We went in the Singer gazelle Convertible, and parked up just by the steam railway station. It was a very well organised day, right down to the weather, and the railway had a newly renovated art deco train with quad articulated coaches running. We went on it into Sheringham, sat on the front and watched the people on the beach and the sea glistening whilst we ate our sandwiches, and then caught the train back again. We then spent a couple of hours sitting by the Singer - Jeff chatting to people wanting to discuss the car, and me with my head in a book. A lovely day.
Back to work on Monday - but the good weather continues. Brilliant. See pictures of our 'day out'
Jeff's dad went into hospital nearly 2 weeks ago for an operation. He is 88, so it has been an anxious time for all the family. He is still there, and will be for quite a bit longer I think - but hopefully it will all work out for the best in the long run. Jeff decided to go and visit him, but I couldn't go as I had to'Henny Sit' - she still can't be left. As the hospital is in London, I suggested Jeff had a bit of a rest - something he doesn't often get - and go by train. He took my advice, and I think quite enjoyed the journey from Norwich to London. It was a slow train ride taking a couple of hours, but a chance for him to relax. However after sleepy Norfolk, London came as a culture shock, and I don't think he was sorry to get home again in the evening.
Over the weekend our fridge freezer broke down - the freezer part anyway - and as we hadn't noticed - this meant we had to throw away all the food inside. Now we have to decide whether to get it mended or buy a new one. We hope to do quite a transformation on our kitchen in a year or 2, so would prefer to have a quick mend for now until the kitchen is done, and then buy a new one. We will have to see just what the problem is.
On Sunday we had a day off - most unusual. We put the dogs in kennels for the day (they both seem happy there) and set off to Holt for the Vintage Transport Weekend held by the North Norfolk Railway. We went in the Singer gazelle Convertible, and parked up just by the steam railway station. It was a very well organised day, right down to the weather, and the railway had a newly renovated art deco train with quad articulated coaches running. We went on it into Sheringham, sat on the front and watched the people on the beach and the sea glistening whilst we ate our sandwiches, and then caught the train back again. We then spent a couple of hours sitting by the Singer - Jeff chatting to people wanting to discuss the car, and me with my head in a book. A lovely day.
Back to work on Monday - but the good weather continues. Brilliant. See pictures of our 'day out'
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Beaches - Blakeney
We are so lucky to be living in this part of the country. Last night - Monday - having collected Poppy & Henny from kennels, we decided to go down to Blakeney in the early evening and blow all our cobwebs from the weekend away. Blakeney of course is not a beach as such, but a gorgeous small costal resort, with boats bobbing about, great walks and loads of wildlife. The dogs gallop about on the muddy sand, and run to their hearts content, whilst we amble along enjoying the beautiful scenery. Of course when it is hot, as it was yesterday, the dogs can cool off in the water. Henny brought her beloved ball, and rescued it from the water numerous times.
Heaven.
Heaven.
Heart of England Book Fair
On Sunday we had a stall at the Heart of England Book Fair. It took place at the National Motor Bike museum, which was a very good venue.
We arrived in a hotel in Birmingham on Saturday evening, as we needed to be at the venue at 7 oclock Sunday morning, and didn't want to drive through the night! (A long way from North Norfolk). We got set up in the heat, and sadly our room - there were two rooms for the event - was the one without air conditioning. I must say that Jeff did alot of the setting up, whilst I (Heather) went around with customers wants lists and did some buying. I managed to get a couple of items off a customers wants list which was satisfying, and also found a few books I wanted for stock. I always enjoy buying more than selling, its as well that Jeff is the opposite, or we would be totally broke!
The fair was extremely well organised, and the best part of 100 sellers attended. However there were a few things against it. It was the hottest day of the year, the England v Germany world cup football match was on, there was a Grand Prix taking place (Jeff had to tape it) - and it was the middle weekend of Wimbledon. Consequently there were not as many customers as we would have liked to see - not the fault of the organiser who worked extremely hard, just pure bad luck for us. Consequently we did not get the takings we would have hoped for, but nevertheless it was an extremely good fair. Our Gordon Setter friends had to go into kennels for the duration - however this is good for Henny who needs to learn that we go away - and then come back. The kennels, Waggtails, have had the dogs for a couple of day time visits, but this was the first overnight one. They told us that Henny, apart from being rather vocal, got on well - so she is starting to learn.
We arrived in a hotel in Birmingham on Saturday evening, as we needed to be at the venue at 7 oclock Sunday morning, and didn't want to drive through the night! (A long way from North Norfolk). We got set up in the heat, and sadly our room - there were two rooms for the event - was the one without air conditioning. I must say that Jeff did alot of the setting up, whilst I (Heather) went around with customers wants lists and did some buying. I managed to get a couple of items off a customers wants list which was satisfying, and also found a few books I wanted for stock. I always enjoy buying more than selling, its as well that Jeff is the opposite, or we would be totally broke!
The fair was extremely well organised, and the best part of 100 sellers attended. However there were a few things against it. It was the hottest day of the year, the England v Germany world cup football match was on, there was a Grand Prix taking place (Jeff had to tape it) - and it was the middle weekend of Wimbledon. Consequently there were not as many customers as we would have liked to see - not the fault of the organiser who worked extremely hard, just pure bad luck for us. Consequently we did not get the takings we would have hoped for, but nevertheless it was an extremely good fair. Our Gordon Setter friends had to go into kennels for the duration - however this is good for Henny who needs to learn that we go away - and then come back. The kennels, Waggtails, have had the dogs for a couple of day time visits, but this was the first overnight one. They told us that Henny, apart from being rather vocal, got on well - so she is starting to learn.
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