EleanorBlog

16July2008

Upcoming Events at the Castle

Posted by Alison under: Places to go.

Come join us…you know you want to!

11July2008

Mysterious Figures at Castle Fraser

Posted by Alison under: Antique; Art.

Firstly, thanks to the lovely Elinor, who recently purchased this antique engraving for letting me use her image.

This engraving, probably from the 1830s/1840s shows the rear of the castle, and it’s courtyard.  It also shows many additions made by Charles Mackenzie Fraser from 1814 (when he inherited the castle) to the late 1830s when the work was still going on.  This was mainly to make the castle a more comfortable home for his family.

Worthy of note is the cupola, which housed the grand staircase, and the enlarged lower parts of the wings, which gave at the very least, wider corridors and access, and rooms for some of the servants, i.e. hall boys.  All these additions were demolished in the 1940s (Victorian is so unfashionable, darling!)

So, to the mysterious figures.  Family, friends, servants or visitors?  You decide!

9July2008

The Georgette Journey

Posted by Alison under: Books.

The lovely Melissa and I are currently reading our way through Georgette Heyer’s novels, starting with The Black Moth.

Feel free to join in if you want to, here are the next few novels we will be reading over the next few months:

• Powder and Patch
• These Old Shades
• The Masqueraders
• Devil’s Cub
• The Convenient Marriage
• The Talisman Ring

You can also drop me an email if you want to chat about them.  There’s no formality here, just read, enjoy and share if you want. 

8July2008

Doodle Week Strikes Back

Posted by Alison under: Art; Doodle Week.

If you didn’t doodle last time, well why not?! Doodle Week is back this month for more fun and games hosted by the lovely Laura and Claire.

Shortly I will be taking an enforced blogging break, so won’t be able to take part this time, but you can see my marvellous doodlage by clicking the Doodle Week category on the right hand side.

Go on, you know you want to….

7July2008

Remembering 7/7

Posted by Alison under: Photos.

Image copyright 2008 Alison Lodge

4July2008

Supernatural Rocks

Posted by Alison under: BlahBlahBlah; TV; Videos.

I managed to miss most of season 3 of Supernatural dagnammit, what with the scheduling changing quite a few times and it being on a bit too late. I might have to purchase/borrow it.

However, at least I managed to see the last few episodes, so I am mostly up to date. My absolute favourite moment so far in the entire series has to be Bon Jovi. Watch and see, I can’t help but laugh at this one!

I don’t want my last moments on earth to be socially awkward. Heh.

In other related paranormal TV news, if you get SkyTV in the UK there is now a paranormal channel. It is more horror films/ghost unexplained programmes at the moment by the makers of Most Haunted. But I like the earlier series of MH, so this is good.

2July2008

How Spooky

Posted by Alison under: BlahBlahBlah.

Pretty spooky result I say…what’s yours?  Though, you know, you really wouldn’t want to read my poetry, honest.

Thanks to Jams for finding this!

In a Past Life…

You Were: A Charming Poet. Where You Lived: Scotland. How You Died: Decapitation.

29June2008

Dumfries House

Posted by Alison under: History; Places to go.

I first read about Dumfries House last year, when I heard that the house and contents were to be sold at auction.  Being me, I was very saddened to hear it, it sounded such a special place.  Also being me, I then put my fingers in my ears and sang loudly so I didn’t hear what happened.

So, I am now pleasantly surprised to report, that the house and contents were saved for the nation, and are now opening to the public.  Woo hoo!

You can read the news story here, and the house website is here.  Another one added to the list methinks…

23June2008

The Steam Weekend Was Bat-tastic

Posted by Alison under: BlahBlahBlah.

Forgot to warn everyone that there is an annual weekend of vintage steam engines etc every June at the castle. But, I thought that the fans would know, so that’s ok.

We started Saturday off with a wedding. We don’t normally do weddings the same weekends as big events, but it was what the bride wanted, so she was forewarned. It was a ceremony only, so by mid-afternoon the bride and groom were married and off, and we could put the furniture back in the Great Hall for the steam widows and/or orphans to view. It was a great day, lots of interested visitors. I even managed a quick peek at the engines myself, it was great fun. I know my dad would have loved it.

For Sunday we were not so fortunate. The rain was absolutely terrible, and it prevented a lot of visitors coming. The other unfortunate thing was that the engines and other vehicles couldn’t move around on the events field outside because of the muddy conditions. Sadly, this meant that neither of us saw many people, and the weekend finished pretty early.

The highlight of my weekend anyway, was the fact that a bat was found in the China Room of the castle. I knew that we had Long-eared bats living in the Barracks (Attic), but we also have Pipistrelles living in the eaves of an out building. One of them, we think, must have fallen down the chimney in the night, and was lying on the window sill. After we called one of our park Rangers out to check on it, it soon warmed up, and we were able to release it back to the roof of the building, where I’m pleased to say, it made it’s own way home.  I still wonder if it was a baby one.

Never having met a bat before, I was amazed at how small this breed is. So tiny, and so cute, when the Ranger picked it up it squeaked at her in warning showing it’s tiny teeth! Yeah, you and whose army, I say! Needless to say, I am now a bat fan.

How was your weekend?!

17June2008

Cyd Charisse

Posted by Alison under: Films; Videos.

For those of you that haven’t noticed already, I’m a classic film fan!  I especially love musicals too.

I was sad to hear that Cyd Charisse died today, though she did make it to the grand old age of 86, so she didn’t do too badly.

There are a few musicals I like to watch her dance in, but bizarrely, I like to see her dancing in the Broadway Melody sequence in Singin’ in the Rain (which is also one of my top favourites.)  I also love the hairstyle and the green flapper dress - right up my street.  When I was in my early twenties I had my hair cut in a twenties style just like Louise Brooks’.

Bizarrely, because the sequence is my least favourite part of the film.  But hey, here’s to you Cyd: