Unmoored


"The rainstorm had ended and the gray mist and clouds had been swept away in the night by the wind. The wind itself had ceased and a brilliant, deep blue sky arched high over the moorland. Never, never had Mary dreamed of a sky so blue. In India skies were hot and blazing; this was of a deep cool blue which almost seemed to sparkle like the waters of some lovely bottomless lake, and here and there, high, high in the arched blueness floated small clouds of snow-white fleece. The far-reaching world of the moor itself looked softly blue instead of gloomy purple-black or awful dreary gray."

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

This week, via The Thirteenth Tale as suggested by Christianna of The Girl with the Blue Bow, I was transported north of London to the Moors of Great Britain.  It's a ghost story, it's a mystery, a book about sisters, all those deliciously spooky things wrapped into one neat little bundle.  The setting, winter in Yorkshire on the edge of the moors, only highlighted the sense of solitude and isolation.

It got me thinking, what other wonderfully delightful stories are there that take place on those infamous heather covered moors?  So of course, you have to mention The Secret Garden and Wuthering Heights.  And what about All Creatures Great and Small?  James Herriot's novels are my 'chicken noodle soup' reads - what I curl up with when I want to catch up with an old friend and remember all of the adventures the vet has traipsing through the Yorkshire countryside.

I hope that if I were ever to visit, that one of these beautiful country cottages would greet me and welcome me home.



All pictures via Gorgeous Cottages


Comments

  1. I'm so glad that you enjoyed "The Thirteenth Tale" so much! I was blown away by it the first time I read it and I've been wanting to dig into it again. You gotta tackle "The Historian" next!

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  2. The Thirteenth Tale is one of my favorite books! Secret Garden is another! I'm actually reluctant to read Wuthering Heights because of it's darkness.

    Those cottages look lovely!

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  3. Hound of the Baskervilles???

    Lovely pictures. I think it would be great to live in the cottage featured in The Quiet Man.

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  4. I haven't read in a while and now I really want to again! Really want to try The Thirteenth Tale :-)

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  5. I love the secret garden... You should add Jane eyre to that list... Have a nice one!

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  6. I might as well add The Thirteenth Tale to my to-read list :)

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  7. beautiful. and totally opposite to what I'm reading at the moment. you have me wondering...

    happy weekend xx

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  8. Ok, thats another book to add to the list. I'll read it right after I finish your last recommendation.
    My mum lives right next to the moors in the North, kind of sandwiched in between the moors and the Lake District which was Beatrix Potter's old stomping ground. I know I keep saying this, but I think its high time you came for a visit! When you do, I'll kidnap you and take you on a riding holiday and then a literary tour of Blighty ;)

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  9. Absolutely love The Secret Garden and Wuthering Heights. Love being transported to the moors as well... might have to put The Thirteenth Tale on my Christmas list.
    Ronnie xo

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  10. My goodness you and my daughter would get along so well. She has fast discovered that conversations about any of these reads will give her raised eyebrows and "how quaint" comments from the college contingency. What I love is that she comes home on the weekend and we delve right into these movies with any young adult judgmental commenting! Are you excited for Anna Karenena?? We are SO VERY excited...and The Hobbit!! And... Les Mis on Xmas day.

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  11. Oh my gosh, there's a website called Gorgeous Cottages? There goes my Saturday! So you're a re-reader then? Me too. I'm amazed at people who don't re-read. There's little that's more comforting to me than pulling out a beloved book to read again. But those people exist. Read a book once and never go back. I'd miss those old friends.

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  12. I have this dream of someday owning a small cottage in northern Scotland. Probably a weird dream to have, but if I'm ever loaded... it WILL happen.

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  13. Oh wow. Those cottage photos are absolutely adorable. So cozy & comforting. I can definitely imagine an afternoon or three there. :)

    I sadly have not read any of those books before -- but I have always wanted to read The Secret Garden as well as Wuthering Heights. It's on my list!

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  14. If I visit, I want these cottages too! Sigh......sooooo purrrrty!

    Confession: I've never read any of the books you mentioned, although I have some of them at home (hangs head in shame)

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  15. I love The Secret Garden. When I was a kid, it was one of my favorite books, ever.

    Atonement also takes place in the English countryside, and a lot of people loved it. I thought it was the worst piece of crap I have ever read, but I seem to be in the minority. It is definitely worth checking out, if you aren't me:)

    *Erin

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  16. I love the last photo, is sweet!

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  17. Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite books but I am yet to read The Secret Garden (oh the shame)! We are planning a visit to Yorkshire some time next year...

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  18. I've seen the movies- Wuthering Heights and The Secret Garden but have not read the books. When I read the above passage from The Secret Garden--I can't wait to finish reading The Great Gatsby so I can start with that one.

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  19. Is it terrible that I don't even remember if I have read Wuthering Heights or not? I've read the James Herriot book and The Secret Garden and the Thirteenth Tale sounds like something I might like. Maybe I'll put it on my list.

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  20. I really liked Wuthering Heights and The Secret Garden.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  21. You are such an eloquent writer! I love the layout of your blog too, what is the name of the font you use as the title post? It's really pretty! I'm so glad I just stumbled across your blog because I LOVE it! Definitely following you now :)

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  22. Thomas Hardy's Return of the Native is all about the moors. I love all these books except the Thirteenth Tale. But that's only because I haven't read it yet.

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  23. i haven't read the "all creatures..." book but the others i have. the secret garden is one of my all time favorite books. and of course wuthering heights is a must read when it's all gloomy and rainy outside. i really liked the 13th tale, someone i loaned it to hated it and stopped reading half-way through, so i am glad to hear that you liked it!

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  24. I loved Wuthering Heights - actually read it twice!

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