Hi all! I've just returned from Christmas in England, and got a chance to swing by Jane Austen's house at Chawton. It was truly wonderful -- not at all crowded this time of year, a bit cold, with a stray Tabby cat running around out front...They let you approach all of the objects within touching distance, which is wonderful. I saw a beautiful quilt Jane helped make, the donkey cart she rode in, facsimiles of original letters, her writing desk (!!), her bedroom, some beautiful items of clothing she wore, etc.
It was just a magical experience, and the curators there are very cool -- you never get the feeling of being watched. They have a great JA bookstore -- I bought the screenplay to PERSUASION along with a JA t-shirt inscribed with Lizzy's quote on the back about "whims, follies & inconsistencies".
All in all, a most enjoyable day. My fiance' took a myriad of pictures -- when he gets them back, I'll scan them in and then try posting to this board. Amy2
