The family - that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to.

I'm convinced England's overflowing with eccentric people, places, happenings. Indeed, you might say eccentricity's normal in England.

What is it about the English countryside — why is the beauty so much more than visual? Why does it touch one so?

Walking down Belmotte was the oddest sensation-- every step took us deeper into the mist until at last it closed over our heads. It was like being drowned in the ghost of water.

...I have noticed that when things happen in one's imaginings, they never happen in one's life, so I am curbing myself.

Contemplation seems to be about the only luxury that costs nothing.

... for I know I shall be interrupted-- I shall want to be, really, because life is too exciting to sit still for long.