I’m back home! And what an amazing six-week holiday we had overseas. On my last blog, I said I hoped to share some storyworld experiences with you on this blog. I’m so excited to have three to share today.
The first storyworld we visited briefly was Scarborough where A Hero for Heather began. It was exciting to see the dock where PJ sent Heather’s attacker swimming.
We spent quite some time just admiring the view of Scarborough and the ocean from one of the cliffs surrounding this quaint English coastal town. Afterward we took a drive through the busy streets, passing the docks where my opening scenes were set. We didn’t stop though as the day was marching on and we were eager to get to Robin Hood’s Bay, a couple of miles up the coast.
Robin Hood’s Bay…this had to be hands-down the highlight of my trip. I LOVED it, and not only because A Husband for Holly took place in this little town (as well as a lot of A Hero for Heather).
This small fishing village located in the North York Moors National Park was simply exquisite, with such friendly people living there. With each step we took, the nooks and crannies of this thousand year old place with its characteristic red-tiled roofs and maze of tiny streets, whispered of its history of smuggling. We visited the old and new St. Stephen’s Churches (both featured in A Husband for Holly), and walked the steep road down to the coastline, weaving our way back through intriguing narrow alleys.
One the way out of Robin Hood’s Bay, we were blessed to meet this character. Don’t be surprised if you find him in one of my books some day. He was so interesting that I stopped him and asked if I could take a photo of him. He proudly posed, introduced himself as Dick Hoyle, and told us that he played John Brown every year in the annual Victorian Weekend fundraiser. You can read more about that event here: http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/whats-on/village-gears-up-for-victorian-weekend-1-2764963. And to know who this John Brown was, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_(servant). Hint…this is not the US abolitionist John Brown about whom a popular song was written about his body in a grave.
The last storyworld stop is Kendal in the Lake District to visit Levens Hall. It was incredible to walk through the house and gardens that had formed Magnolia and Davis’s worlds in A Match for Magnolia.
Historic house, Levens Hall, was incredible. Some of the features that had me intrigued were the gilded leather paneled walls throughout the house; items belonging to Napoleon like his gold cloak clasp fashioned in the shape of two bees interlocked by what appears to be an S-shaped serpent with a head on either side which was removed from his coach after the Battle of Waterloo and the upholstered saddle given to him by an Egyptian ruler; the entire original page’s costume worn in 1821 by Charles Bagot, an ancestor of the current owners, at George IV’s coronation; and the ornate carved overmantels in several rooms. Unfortunately, as the current owners live there on certain days in the year, photographs were not permitted inside so all I can show you is the majestic outside, surrounding buildings, and the gardens.
The first five chapters of Book 5 in my Seven Suitors for Seven Sisters series, A Courtship for Clover, happen between these century-old walls, and you’ll soon be able to read this next book which releases in July in the Picnics & Promises box set.
The gardens at Levens Hall were simply magnificent. With over three centuries of garden making, what else could one expect of these ten wonderful acres—from its Guinness Book of Records topiary garden with over 100 pieces all perfectly clipped and shaped, to the orchards, rose garden, herb garden, fountain garden, wildflower meadows, manicured lawns where we saw a game of croquet being played on one of them, and amongst so much more, the wild willow labyrinth which was fun to get lost in. All this beauty comes bordered by walls of hedges. No wonder my hero and heroine from A Match for Magnolia, loved walking through this enchanting place.
So, I know I said I’d take you to three places, but I do have one last place I’d like you to see…Ambleside, storyworld for Book 6, A Proposal for Poppy (releasing early 2018). As I walked the streets of this quaint Lake District village with its cute stone houses, I could imagine the places my hero and heroine would go, the church they’d attend, and the life they would live. I simply cannot wait to write this story.
I hope you enjoyed this journey around the world of my Blume sisters. Remember to keep a look out for Clover’s story next month. And because I love you all, here’s a sneak peak at A Proposal for Poppy’s cover (you’re the first to see it).
Wow,I knew you had a ulterior motive for your hiliday.
It was nice where characters lived.
I expect e mail from you soon. Lol
Nice blog post.
Hi Marion, thanks so much for sharing your story worlds/holiday photos and upcoming books- soo excited to read Clover’s story!! Seeing your photos makes the stories seem even more real- imagine living at Levens Hall, actually, imagine having to clean Levens Hall!!
Blessings:)
Great post, Marion! I’m so happy you had such a fantastic holiday. Your photographs are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your pics. They really make your books come to life. Of the three locations, I think Robin Hood’s Bay is most different from what I imagined when reading the book, not the churches but the surroundings. I can’t figure out why exactly. (And I can’t imagine someone actually living in Levens Hall)
Love the photographs! Thank you for sharing with us.
Glad you had a great trip! Thanks for sharing the photos…….so interesting!
LOL, Linda :) Yes, my characters certainly live in beautiful parts of the world. And yes, you will be getting one of those frantic emails again soon :)
I’m excited to release Clover’s story. Yeah, I really wouldn’t want to clean Levens Hall … especially after being inside and seeing how much there is to keep dust free LOL.
Thanks, Jill. We had fun seeing it all. Glad you enjoyed the little I was able to share.
Thanks for sharing your trip and photos. The history is amazing.
Thanks, Priscila. Probably the reason Robin Hood’s Bay seems different is because most of the book took place at the churches, the church manse (beside the new church) and Holly’s house (which is right beside the old church). These are all at the top of the hill, and the actual old town of RHB runs down the hill to the coast. That part of town didn’t feature in the book :) (except for the cliffs, of which there was a photo in my blog).
Yep, Levens Hall is quite some home.
You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed them.
Thanks, Jackie. The places were all so quaint. Glad you enjoyed the pics.
You’re welcome, Diana. The towns in the UK are all so fascinating … great storyworlds to be found there.
Hi Marion! An inspiring blog for this arm chair traveler. Beautiful pictures full of history and intrigue. Looking forward to receiving emails on your next releases, especially the box sets which include the delightful Blume sisters. Thanks for sharing your story worlds through picture and words. Best wishes and Happy Writing.
I’ve been following your journey on your FB page and it’s so lovely to hear you talk about your trip here. Thanks for sharing your stunning photos! And may I just say that your book covers are magnificent? :)
What an awesome trip! Love the way you link the places back to the stories. :)
Thanks for sharing your trip. Traveling is so much fun and full of story ideas.
Thanks, Renate. Always excited to have you traveling with me.
Thanks, Jan. I still have soooo many photos to share – had to stop for a while as I started to get confused with what was what. Now I have it all sorted, time to start Instagramming again :) And yes, you may say that about my book covers, LOL. Glad you love them.
Thanks, Autumn. And of course, a huge highlight of the trip was being able to meet you and spend those precious two hours together.
It’s truly a bug that bites, Merrillee … and what better excuse to travel? “Honey, I need to go … it’s research.”
Love the story world adventure you took us through. Now as I read your book I will have an actual picture in my head. Thanks for sharing your journey?
So glad you enjoyed the journey, Colleen :)
Oooh, I just love all the photos! What a wonderful vacation! That Robin Hood’s Bay looks like a lovely, quaint place and I love water and castles so they all look like wonderful places to visit. I will have to put these books on my wish list. :)
WOW, Marion!! How wonderful to visit those places that you’ve written into your stories. It would make them come alive :-)
Loving all the beautiful pictures you’ve posted. I’d love to get a chance to visit somewhere like this in my lifetime :-) Thanks for posting all the pictures and places in your books where you got your ideas!
Andrea, Robin Hood’s Bay was amazing. And I think what was best is that we got to rub shoulders with the locals … even got involved in signing their petition to preserve their cinder track. And all those little alleyways to explore…it was simply a great experience. I’d love to do a holiday in one of their holiday cottages – if my legs could stand the walking up and down that steep hill LOL. Hope my books can soon move from a wish list to a To Be Read pile :)
Trixi, it was awesome to walk where my characters have walked. My only regret is that I didn’t get to see the little heart-shaped island near Helsinki where my first book was set. We just ran out of time when we were there.
I was away last week, with lousy internet, so just now read this post. Sure loved seeing the pictures since I’ve read the books!