Whittington Castle ~ 12th Century Moated Castle Ruins on Iron Age Site #Photography #Historic

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People have been living on the site for over 2000 years, originally in Iron Age settlements comprising of thatched roundhouses. The first castle, a motte and bailey, which was a wooden tower situated on raised ground with a walled courtyard was erected in 1115 to defend against the Welsh. Subsequent generations improved and enlarged each structure until it became a stone built moated castle in the 1220s.

The large gatehouse towers are reached by a foot bridge over the moat.

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The present castle ruins are owned and run by the local community. It’s a pleasant way to spend a few hours and the very delightful tea room/gift shop is watched over by a ghostly Lady.

Some of the many ducks, as well as moorhens and coots, that live on site.

The Forever House by @LindaAcaster ~ reviewed for #RBRT #Mystery #TuesdayBookBlog

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51aDh9IIiFLAuthor: Linda Acaster

Kindle Edition released in May 2022

Category: Mystery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A chilling discovery. A sense of foreboding. They say I’m obsessing. I’m not.
Resisting family pressure to sell the too-big house Carrie and her late husband began to renovate, she is determined to carry through their shared project to prove she can manage alone.
And she can, until a discovery beneath old wallpaper chills her to the bone.
As her need to know more becomes all-consuming, Carrie’s family fears she’s tipping into irretrievable obsession. Can she be dissuaded, or must she take that final step?
How far is too far to right a wrong?

Carrie and her late husband, Jason, have made a career out of renovating houses to sell on. Carrie thought this last house was meant to be their forever home although Jason had other ideas, and Carrie was determined to finish the renovation despite people pressuring her to sell. Her son and his family live in Australia and, although they Skype regularly, the only person within striking distance is her very stylish, career orientated sister-in-law, Louise, who can’t understand why Carrie is carrying on with the renovation.

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#ThrowbackThursday ~ The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan #ClassicThriller #Spy

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I first read this book many years ago and enjoyed it, so when I saw an Audible edition in 2017 at just under four hours long I decided it was time to revisit this classic. This adaptation stays true to the original as far as I remember, unlike the films. Although the language is obviously dated by today’s standards, the writing is good and it’s still enjoyable for what it is, a good spy story of its time.

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My Thoughts

The story is set just prior to the first world war. Richard Hannay, the narrator of the story, recently returned to London from South Africa, is already bored with the lifestyle and seriously considering returning to South Africa. When he arrives home one day he finds his neighbour, an American journalist by the name of Scudder, on his doorstep.

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The Twist of a Knife (Hawthorne and Horowitz Book 4) by Anthony Horowitz #CrimeFiction #Mystery #TuesdayBookBlog

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51vQp0hfZxL._SX319_BO1,204,203,200_Author: Anthony Horowitz

Due to be published on the 18th August

Category: Crime Fiction, Murder, Mystery

four-half-stars

‘I’ve written three books and our deal is over.’ That’s what reluctant author Anthony Horowitz tells ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne in an awkward meeting. The truth is that Anthony has got other things on his mind.

His new play, a thriller called ‘Mindgame’, is about to open at the famous Vaudeville theatre in Shoreditch. Not surprisingly, Hawthorne declines a ticket to the opening night.

A unique twist in this entertaining series is that Anthony Horowitz has cast himself as one of the characters. The fictitious Horowitz teamed up with ex detective Daniel Hawthorne to shadow Hawthorne as he works cases, and turn the investigations into novels. As the three book deal that was agreed upon is completed, Horowitz has decided to move on. His new project, a play, is about to open at the Vaudeville, a Victorian theatre in Shoreditch.

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A Visit to Powis Castle #Photography #Medieval

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Castell Powys (in Welsh) was built around 1200 as a medieval fortress sitting in a hugely elevated position on the Welsh borders and is now in the care of the National Trust. No photography is allowed inside so the following images are from the impressive tiered garden with far reaching views. You can find out more here.

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#GuestPost + #Giveaway by #Author Susan Buchanan @Susan_Buchanan @rararesources

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I’m delighted to welcome Susan Buchanan with a guest post for my stop on the blog tour for her new release, Just One Day – Summer, organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.

Just One Day Summer

Where to summer – at home or abroad? 

I didn’t travel abroad until I was sixteen, enduring the excitement of a thirty-six-hour coach trip, complete with breakdown prior to Dover, and again at Caen, France, before finally arriving in La Fosca on the Costa Brava. And although we were a family of five, and the trip was hair-raising and exhausting, we loved every minute of it, almost! 

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#SpotlightFeature ~ A Summer of Castles by Rachel Walkley @RachelJWalkley @rararesources

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I’m delighted to share a spotlight post for the Publication Day Push for A Summer of Castles, organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.

A Summer of Castles

A Summer of Castles. A secret in ruins.

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