14 Comments
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Deborah Coddington's avatar

Such gorgeous writing. Your similes are always so original. I am in love.

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Leah McFall's avatar

💚🌸

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Paul C's avatar

A wonderful read, beautifully complementing your book review I managed to catch on RNZ during the week.

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Leah McFall's avatar

How lovely of you, Paul

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Jacquetta Bell's avatar

In 1898, Larnach locked himself in a committee room at Parliament and shot himself with a revolver.

Maybe his ghost went home to his mad ‘castle’.

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Leah McFall's avatar

Ooh, I stand corrected! (I’d somehow work his ghost into a tour if I guided there, I expect)

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Jacquetta Bell's avatar

Recommend Owen Marshall‘s excellent historical novel The Larnachs.

Love your writing. 😊

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Susan Elliot's avatar

Had to catch my breath after reading this one Leah - you moved through so many things. I adored this post - thank you for reminding me of the treasure that is Olveston - even if they still can't can't the kosher sinks, dishes and cutlery right (there should be four (2 for every day meat and dairy and possibly two more for Passover - and once there were if only plastic or metal inserts and the separate dishes and cutlery kept for only two meals a year) But it was the huia - the glorious huia and that one feather. - achingly beautiful, Do you know about this? ... https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/a-bird-in-the-hand-2/

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Leah McFall's avatar

Oh wow I can’t wait to read this, Susan! Thank you

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Susan Elliot's avatar

It's actually quite an outrageous and completely mad story- but at the same time a tragic tale of arrogance, entitlement and loss.

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Alan Doak's avatar

Wonderful - thanks!

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Kathy Fryer's avatar

Do scouts salute the flag at all or just stand up.

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Leah McFall's avatar

George’s troop simply line up. It does feel very bygone and lovely when they do it

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Kathy Fryer's avatar

That's cute

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