My name is Janet I wish that it were more exotic, but there you are: that’s life. I came to Spain from Croydon in 2002, and speak bad Spanish and English with a Croynge accent: also, bad French and nondescript Russian and Greek. For example, I managed to learn the alphabets, of which I am immensely proud, and then forgot them, of which I am immensely ashamed.
I thought that I would be able to relax in Spain,. I’d lie by the pool all day drinking red wine. Not so. Buff envelopes arrive from England by every post containing form upon form to fill in for the taxman or other obsequious British Authorities. Most of the boxes I fill in with ‘I don’t understand this question’ which is true, and then send them off. I never hear what happens to them. My grandfather did not understand forms. He used to put ‘NOT APPLICABLE’ across all the forms from the Inland Revenue and he never heard any more about them either.
I am very keen on history and, as this is a writing web, I guess I’d better offer something.
Queen Anne 1533 - 1536
“By faith, the hinges on that door grow rustier by the hour. Master Cedric should be ordered to replace it before it does collapse before us.”
“’Tis the damp from the river,” murmured Anne, “There is no helping it.”
“Bless you, my lady,” said her companion, I fear you must be cold to be standing there before the open window in nought but your shift. Come and let us dress you in your fine garb.” The Lady Catherine was laying out a fine costume of rich blue velvet. It was a deep, blue. A colour much favoured by Anne. The sleeves were overlong and edged with thick drapes of silver lace.
“’tis the May blossom, I so much enjoy,” mused Anne, “Can you not smell the perfume in the room. She turned once more towards the window and gazed at the preparations which were well underway. The sun warmed her shoulders. Being a fine day many of the dignitaries had chosen to occupy their allotted places early. Anne whiled away a little of her time pickingout her various relatives among the gathering.
“Come and be dressed, my love,” ventured the Lady Catherine, and I will send Mistress Betina to pick some of the blossoms for you to carry along with your Bible,” she promised.
Reluctantly, Anne allowed herself to be persuaded to the far corner of the room, where the Lady Catherine dressed her in the warm gown, clad her feet in matching velvet slippers and proceeded to dress her long dark hair.
Anne stroked the silver lace well over her hands, then, as though in a fit of vanity, pinched her pale cheeks hard to encourage some colour. Opening her Bible, she began to read to herself while the Lady Catherine was occupied arranging Anne’s hair in the latest French fashion.
Betina arrived with the May blossom. “They do say, “ she said, timidly, as how May blossom in a house do bring forth the bad luck …. But ‘tis all nonsense,” she finished lamely,” scurrying back to her usual end of the room where she was busily sewing the household linen.
Footsteps outside and the door, rust and all, was thrown wide.
“We are ready for you Madam,” Anne recognised Arthur, one of her uncle’s young cousins. She noticed wistfully how handsome Arthur had become. It was strange to hear him call her Madam.
The Lady Catherine wrapped a velvet cloak around Anne. It was the same deep blue as the dress and had a hood to cover the head. “Do not forget your cloak, my dear. There be a keen chill out there, despite the sunshine.” she warned.
“This way, Madam,” encouraged Arthur as he escorted her through the door.
Anne lifted the May blossom to her chin. “I have such a little neck,” she said, “I pray that the swordsman will be swift.”
J:L:Norton
C 2004
I thought that I would be able to relax in Spain,. I’d lie by the pool all day drinking red wine. Not so. Buff envelopes arrive from England by every post containing form upon form to fill in for the taxman or other obsequious British Authorities. Most of the boxes I fill in with ‘I don’t understand this question’ which is true, and then send them off. I never hear what happens to them. My grandfather did not understand forms. He used to put ‘NOT APPLICABLE’ across all the forms from the Inland Revenue and he never heard any more about them either.
I am very keen on history and, as this is a writing web, I guess I’d better offer something.
Queen Anne 1533 - 1536
“By faith, the hinges on that door grow rustier by the hour. Master Cedric should be ordered to replace it before it does collapse before us.”
“’Tis the damp from the river,” murmured Anne, “There is no helping it.”
“Bless you, my lady,” said her companion, I fear you must be cold to be standing there before the open window in nought but your shift. Come and let us dress you in your fine garb.” The Lady Catherine was laying out a fine costume of rich blue velvet. It was a deep, blue. A colour much favoured by Anne. The sleeves were overlong and edged with thick drapes of silver lace.
“’tis the May blossom, I so much enjoy,” mused Anne, “Can you not smell the perfume in the room. She turned once more towards the window and gazed at the preparations which were well underway. The sun warmed her shoulders. Being a fine day many of the dignitaries had chosen to occupy their allotted places early. Anne whiled away a little of her time pickingout her various relatives among the gathering.
“Come and be dressed, my love,” ventured the Lady Catherine, and I will send Mistress Betina to pick some of the blossoms for you to carry along with your Bible,” she promised.
Reluctantly, Anne allowed herself to be persuaded to the far corner of the room, where the Lady Catherine dressed her in the warm gown, clad her feet in matching velvet slippers and proceeded to dress her long dark hair.
Anne stroked the silver lace well over her hands, then, as though in a fit of vanity, pinched her pale cheeks hard to encourage some colour. Opening her Bible, she began to read to herself while the Lady Catherine was occupied arranging Anne’s hair in the latest French fashion.
Betina arrived with the May blossom. “They do say, “ she said, timidly, as how May blossom in a house do bring forth the bad luck …. But ‘tis all nonsense,” she finished lamely,” scurrying back to her usual end of the room where she was busily sewing the household linen.
Footsteps outside and the door, rust and all, was thrown wide.
“We are ready for you Madam,” Anne recognised Arthur, one of her uncle’s young cousins. She noticed wistfully how handsome Arthur had become. It was strange to hear him call her Madam.
The Lady Catherine wrapped a velvet cloak around Anne. It was the same deep blue as the dress and had a hood to cover the head. “Do not forget your cloak, my dear. There be a keen chill out there, despite the sunshine.” she warned.
“This way, Madam,” encouraged Arthur as he escorted her through the door.
Anne lifted the May blossom to her chin. “I have such a little neck,” she said, “I pray that the swordsman will be swift.”
J:L:Norton
C 2004