Thackers again!

[ellenkushner]

I know this means nothing to those who were not smitten at an early age with Alison Uttley's A Traveller in Time - but I am, I was, and (as reported earlier in this Journal) I am hoping to stay at "Thackers" in mid-September, as the original house is now it is a Bed & Breakfast! My heart was in my throat as I wrote to The Manor Farmhouse, Dethick, Derbyshire - especially when they told me there might not be rooms available for our dates - but behold me dancing now that things have sorted themselves out! Such a lovely letter back from them, too - wanted to share it with other enthusiasts:

We have a double room available.... It... has a wash-handbasin in the room...plus a small sitting room.... We give you breakfast in the original Elizabethan kitchen – very atmospheric. [OMG!!!- that's the kitchen in the book where - where - O, I'd gladly eat dry breadcrusts & sawdust there. The letter goes on:]

I note your comments about the reviews [of Uttley's recently-pulished journals]. Alison was a very complicated character and there was a very dark side to her. I’m sure there’s a balance – her love and understanding of the countryside was prolific. It’s difficult to equate how a physics graduate could believe in fairies all her life. [It is?] Have you read Denis Judd’s biography? He met her several times, as did a local writer and expert who lives very close to here.

We are hoping to run some 2/3 day Alison Uttley events here each year at which Denis Judd has offered to come and speak. It’s a shame you don’t live in the UK – there will be ample time for open discussion about her life.

If you need to know anything else about the B & B which is not on our website, please get in touch. We hope you will want to come and stay with us.

Very best wishes
Gilly Groom

I'll be there in 2 weeks.

Comments

[p-zeitgeist.livejournal.com]

Ohgodohgodohgod. Why am I not there?? My life, it is a meaningless sham!

Take many pictures, is all I can say. I look forward to further installments!

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Wow!

Please be eyes for those of us who would love to go there.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_stranger_here/]

It’s difficult to equate how a physics graduate could believe in fairies all her life.

I read these words, but they make no sense!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I have not read the book but now I feel I must.

I wonder if the kitchen also looks like the one where it's very important not to move things from where Richard left them.

[sparroweye.livejournal.com]

My first English fairy tale was given to me by my English grandmother. It was her own childhood book called Water Babies. I lost my copy and later bought a newer copy and read it to my own children. When I was in Norwich England I found a used antique book story and paid 25 pounds for an illustrated Sun Fairy book. I collect children's books. I have Charles de Lint's "A Circle of Cats". He is one of my favorite authors.