It’s hard to believe that we used to expect to capture a whole holiday with one roll of film that might hold 36 shots. I've had several trips away this summer and now even my computer is groaning at the prospect of downloading all the photos. (Who knew there were SO MANY Greek statues?) So … Continue reading Back in the Trenches Again
My Dear Hamilton
Nobody could accuse us of being stuck in the past here at Downie Towers. Well... not in the very distant past, anyway. Today we're venturing into the daringly modern times of the eighteenth century, where events turn out to have some even more up-to-date parallels. I'm delighted to welcome Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, authors … Continue reading My Dear Hamilton
Coping with the party season, Roman-style
The season of partying has begun! Io Saturnalia! ...although to be honest I’ve never been terribly confident about social occasions. Nothing illustrates my lack of prowess so well as the time I turned up to a party to find the hostess still in her dressing-gown with a towel around her hair. And that was in … Continue reading Coping with the party season, Roman-style
Of Scotland and the price of peace
Just back from travelling in the Scottish borders to find that Jean, Sam and Alice have kindly sent me a link to this story of Roman silver being discovered in Scotland. It's interesting that the experts think the silver is a bribe rather than a stash of plunder. The historian Cassius Dio tells us that … Continue reading Of Scotland and the price of peace
Eboracum 2017 – join the Roman army!
Finally - as a reward for all that marching, people will remember you and your Emperor with parades through the streets of Eboracum. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save
Small Island
A visit to the island of Alderney has been on my bucket list ever since we saw our friends' holiday photos, so there was dancing and singing here at Downie Towers when an invitation to the Alderney Literary Festival arrived. Below are a few photos of my own, along with some random thoughts about the … Continue reading Small Island
Of high heels and trivia
I've been musing on Parkinson's Law. Not the famous one ("work expands to fill the time available") but another from the same book: Parkinson's Law of Triviality. "The time spent on any item on the agenda will be in inverse proportion to the sum involved." (If you're wondering what this has to do with high … Continue reading Of high heels and trivia
The Trojans are back!
The new novel from seven talented members of the H-team is published today - and as ever, they've been weaving old stories together in new ways. I wasn't involved this time (deadlines!) and I can't wait to find out what the team have done with the story we all 'think' we know. Meanwhile, they've been … Continue reading The Trojans are back!
Saturday, final stop on the Blog Tour – For Winter Nights
Many thanks to For Winter Nights, the final host on the Blog Tour! If you haven't yet discovered this excellent book blog, now is a good time to nip across there - not only for the chance to win a copy of Vita Brevis, but also to browse a splendid collection of reviews and articles, … Continue reading Saturday, final stop on the Blog Tour – For Winter Nights
Friday on the Blog Tour – Hoover Book Reviews
Day 7, and the last-but-one stop on the tour today! Across the water to Detroit and Hoover Book Reviews, which is a splendid place to browse if you're on the hunt for contemporary fiction based in the ancient world - and more. (Nip across there and scroll down to where it says 'categories' on the … Continue reading Friday on the Blog Tour – Hoover Book Reviews
