Friday post 04/07/25: Moving house #11: Moving Day is fast approaching!

Posted on 04/07/2025 by The Librain

Hello and welcome to my blog. We are moving in just over two weeks! Eek!

Yesterday I went over to our new home with Elder Son and we were able to sort out quite a lot in a couple of hours. I had a list of questions that I needed to answer and we also decided to finish cleaning out the fridge-freezer in readiness. Next week we have two important things happening. First, a guy who specialises in Flatpack furniture is coming over to assemble loads of our new furniture. Many years ago, I prided myself on being pretty good at this, but my health issues mean that I was relieved to find a professional who can do the work for us.

Later in the week, the company who installed the furniture in the main bedroom are coming to make some alterations and additions. I need more storage for all of my gorgeous scarves! Seriously, we definitely need more wardrobe space and drawers. They are also going to make a space in the kitchen for a dishwasher and also install a new one.

So, ES and I will be going over to the bungalow to check on their progress. I am also going to try to persuade Lovely Husband to go with us as he hasn’t visited our new home for ages.

While we were there yesterday, we walked down the garden to see what is growing. Well, the grass has! It is knee high and definitely needs to be cut. Also, many of the plants now have seed heads. We found a load of strawberries which had been missed by the birds, but, unfortunately, they were mostly overripe apart from one large one which ES soon enjoyed!

As I hardly ever leave the house these days, I decided to wear some comfortable and practical clothes that also looked rather nice (well, I thought so). I wore a navy column: a sleeveless top from Lands’ End, linen trousers from Cotton Traders, and navy sandals. Over the top, I wore a gorgeous kimono from One Hundred Stars in navy and white. White and gold earrings by Halcyon Days, a gold necklace and my navy handbag by Massaccesi completed the outfit.

Outfit of the day 03/07/25 with Jaipur Blue Throwover by One Hundred Stars

Here’s the full image of this lovely throwover. I have also recently purchased another of these and I will show it on here soon.

Jaipur Blue Throwover by One Hundred Stars

Next week will be very busy and I will try to post if I have the energy. As you can imagine, moving house is proving very debilitating for someone like me with multiple health issues. It’s difficult enough for fit people!

Happy weekend!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Reading roundup 02/07/25

Posted on 02/07/2025 by The Librain

Welcome to this week’s Reading Roundup! When I started to write the post this morning, I thought that it was going to be a very short one. I was only about 60% through my latest book, John Gwynne’s The Fury of the Gods #03 Bloodsworn Saga. However, I decided to read a few pages during the morning and I became so gripped by the tale that I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the whole book!

The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne

This is the blurb…

“The Fury of the Gods is the earth-shattering final book in John Gwynne’s bestselling Norse-inspired epic fantasy series, packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance

THE FINAL BATTLE FOR THE FATE OF VIGRIÐ APPROACHES

Varg has overcome the trials of his past and become an accepted member of the Bloodsworn, but now he and his newfound comrades face their biggest challenge yet: slaying a dragon.

Elvar is struggling to consolidate her power in Snakavik, where she faces threats from within and without. As she fights to assert her authority in readiness for the coming conflict, she faces a surely insurmountable task: reining in the ferocity of a wolf god.

As Biorr and his warband make their way north, eager for blood, Gudvarr pursues a mission of his own, hoping to win Lik-Rifa’s favour and further his own ambitions.

All paths lead to Snakavik, where the lines are being drawn for the final battle – a titanic clash that will shake the foundations of the world, and bear witness to the true fury of the gods.”

And this is the response that I wrote on Goodreads immediately after I read the final page…

The Fury of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #3)The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! What an ending! The final part of The Bloodsworn Saga was simply terrific! The first half of the book builds up quite slowly, with the odd skirmish here and there, into one of the longest battles that I have ever read. I am also certain that I have never read a battle scene like this before: incredibly brave men and women (and children), insane numbers of different mythical creatures, “deep cunning” and evil deeds, betrayal and loyalty, blood and guts, even more blood and even more guts, gouts and rivers of blood, hacked off limbs and gouged out eyes, broken wings, twists and turns, heroes and heroines, all set in a Viking style world. The main characters are interesting and their different points of view hold the reader’s attention right until the end, which for some of them is rightfully rather nasty!

This book certainly took my mind away from any worries or concerns. They paled against this violent and bloody world building.

How will John Gwynne follow this series? I can’t wait to find out!

View all my reviews

I hope you are all enjoying your reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Friday post 27/06/25: I’m too tired to write a post!

Posted on 27/06/2025 by The Librain

Hello friends a visitors! I have been over to our new home this afternoon with Elder Son and now I am too tired to write a proper post. If I feel stronger tomorrow, then I will try to write an update.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Reading roundup 25/06/25

Posted on 25/06/2025 by The Librain

Hello and welcome to this week’s Reading Roundup post. I have been struggling with my reading during the last few weeks due to the stress of moving house and my chronic ill health. We recently had a heatwave in this part of the UK, so that didn’t help either. Cooler weather has now prevailed so I was able to finish my book.

Those of you who have been following my reading journey may remember that I have been rereading John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn Saga. The third part of the trilogy was published recently and I decided to start again from the beginning. My memory issues mean that I quickly forget details of the plot, which isn’t great when reading a series!

The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne

The book was The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne, #02 Bloodsworn Saga. Here is the blurb…

“THE DEAD GODS ARE RISING.

Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison. Now she plots a new age of blood and conquest.

As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own–and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance.

Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her dragonborn followers, but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her. Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god.

Their only hope lies within the mad writings of a chained god. A book of forbidden magic with the power to raise the wolf god Ulfrir from the dead…and bring about a battle that will shake the foundations of the earth.”

I enjoyed reading the book for the second time and I think that the bloodthirsty theme worked well for my mood at the moment! Anyway, here is the response that I wrote on Goodreads…

The Hunger of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #2)The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great book from the amazing imagination of John Gwynne. I am really enjoying this fantasy series set in a Viking-like world with strong male and female characters, the revival of dead gods and interesting creatures. The story is told from different points of view, which can get rather confusing, and I had to stop several times to work out where we were and refer to the map.

Gwynne’s writing gives the reader a very fast-paced and exciting rollercoaster ride through his world. I can’t wait for the next instalment! Just one issue. Perhaps this book was a little rushed or the editor didn’t get enough time with it. I found several errors, mainly homonyms, which should not have been there! Hence four stars.

All-in-all, a fantastic fantasy read!

View all my reviews

I have now started reading the final book, The Fury of the Gods. When I finish that I think I will try a very different genre for a change!

Happy Reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Reading roundup 18/06/25

Posted on 18/06/2025 by The Librain

Unfortunately, once again I am feeling too ill to concentrate on reading my ebook or writing blog posts. So, I am taking a break for a while, until I feel able. The stress of moving house, plus the hot weather, are having a strongly negative effect on my health.

Best wishes to you all,

Anne

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Scarf of the moment: Bord a Bord

Posted on 13/06/2025 by The Librain

Welcome to my Scarf of the Moment post for my most recent Hermès purchase: Bord a Bord. Unfortunately, I am struggling with illness and disability and so this post may not be up to my usual standard. I really try to make these posts interesting, informative and useful for the extremely large community of Hermès scarf addicts and anyone who may just find themselves on my blog.

When I was at university (not quite back in the Stone Age), Ancient History and Archaeology students took a six week study tour as part of their degree. My group travelled around Italy, Greece and the Greek islands. I have many lasting memories from this trip and it has had a huge impact on my life. The dissertation that I wrote on my return is so enjoyable to read even now as it transports me back to those sights, smells, sounds and feelings of being young in such amazing and evocative places.

When I saw this scarf design on The Purse Forum, I just knew that I wanted to own it. We saw many boats like these on the trip and even sailed between the islands on very similar craft. So this scarf evokes some very important and life-shaping memories for me.

I love the striped hem and the many-coloured boats…

Bord a Bord designed by Elias Kafouros for Hermès

Description

The design is a tangle of fishing or tourist boats, tied up in a harbour. They have colourful painted sides and sails with awnings to shade their crew and possible passengers. Some have nets and others have strings of lights or flags. There are buoys and gangplanks and cheeky seagulls. The designer has included humorous hints to the Hermès brand with boat names such as “Captain Orange” and “Hermes Paris”. The whole design fills up the outer sections of the scarf and the centre is left empty. There is also a striped hem. This lovely design gives us a feeling of the gentle rocking movement of the waves and an anticipation of enjoyment to come. Where are we going to sail, when we board one of the boats?

Colourways

These are the four colourways for these special Spring/Summer 2025 cotton 80cm scarves. These have a white, pink, blue or yellow background. I have added in the codes and colourways to help those of you who may wish to purchase a scarf.

H414210SH01
Blanc/Bleu/Multicolore
H414210SH02
Bleu Ciel / Vert / Multicolore
H414210SH03
Rose Dragée / Bleu / Jaune
H414210SH04
Jaune / Bleu / Orange

Design story

This has been taken from the Hermès website:

Details

Here are some closeups of my scarf, together with images of the other colourways, in a slideshow format:

How I wear the scarf

This is such an unusual scarf and I really like the design already, but I have been seriously struggling with both my health and the house move, so have not yet been able to wear it out of the house. As I have the version with the white background, it will look great with my blue t-shirts and tops.

Here are some quick photos that I have been able to take since I bought the scarf . As soon as I am well enough, I will add more “modelling” photos here and also attempt to make some collages.

Bord a Bord designed by Elias Kafouros for Hermès

Scarf ties

I have tried on this scarf in a variety of ways. As the scarf fabric is 100% cotton, I am not sure whether the ties I usually use for my 90cm silks will work. The section above shows my first attempts and I will try to add some photos here when I am able. Anyway, you can get the general idea of how it looks when worn. I will have to watch the Purse Forum members to see why they do!

Background information 

This is not the kind of scarf with lots of useful background details, but I have found the following. If I come across any more information, I will add it here…

I have found a few links to information about the artist, Elias Kafouros. He has designed scarves for Hermès since 2017, such as Eleftheria and Funny Ice Cream.

Dio Horia Gallery
Elias Kafouros
Biography plus images of some of his work with links to exhibitions.

The Greek Foundation
Elias Kafouros 
A small piece about the artist. The link to his website appears to be broken.

impactalk
Elias Kafouros: A painter – phenomenon of compositions
Article with photos.

Scarf Sage
Elias Kafouros
Page with images of some of his scarf designs.

I hope readers have found this exploration of  Bord a Bord both interesting and useful. Once again, if you find any errors or have any additional information that I could add, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Reading roundup 11/06/25

Posted on 11/06/2025 by The Librain

Unfortunately, all the stress of moving house has become very difficult to manage and I am rather unwell. I am finding it just about impossible to concentrate on reading my book, so there is no proper post today.

I will try to write something for Friday’s post if I feel any better.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Friday post 06/06/25: Moving house #10: an update

Posted on 06/06/2025 by The Librain

Well, it’s been quite a while since I last updated the blog about our house moving situation. We now own our new bungalow and will be moving from here in about six weeks!

Unfortunately, my health really suffered during the past few weeks with two injuries on top of my usual issues. Some of you may remember that I injured my neck and arm first by trying to carry a very heavy rubbish bag out to the bin. Then, I compounded this by falling over a chair in the dark and badly bruising my chest and arm. Fortunately, I have now recovered quite a lot, but am still dogged by extreme fatigue. This has had a real impact on my ability to prepare for the move. We had to ask Younger Son to come over to help because we had hired a large skip to dispose of our accumulated stuff from living in this house for so many years.

Anyway, the skip has now been removed and our decks are much clearer, which is great. We took ownership of our new bungalow at the beginning of May and I then began the next stage. During the weeks and months since we found the bungalow, I had been working on several wishlists for furniture and equipment. So, now that we have the keys to the bungalow, I have been ordering quite a lot of new furniture and travelling over to our new home to receive it and get it placed in the correct room.

I must admit that I have really enjoyed choosing new items that suit the style and decor of our new house. Of course, some things can wait until we move in, but it has been fun at times! Our new bedroom is decorated in shades of purple, so I bought this gorgeous duvet set…

Laura Ashley Gosford duvet set

Our new lounge has a feature wall with turquoise/teal wallpaper, so I have chosen lovely cushions in shades of teal and brown which mirror those tones and tie in the neutral beige and browns of the carpet and other walls…

Cushions from John Lewis

We have been really fortunate with our choice of new home. As I go through all of the paperwork that the previous owners left for us, I have realised just how many renovations they undertook in the short time that they lived there. A new central heating boiler, new kitchen and bathroom, a refurbished bedroom and utility room, amongst many other projects. All of these will give us a great new start, which we really need, especially as we are ageing and don’t have great health. I am also thinking about the effect on our two sons and their future lives. Elder Son will have a lovely room in the bungalow as long as he wishes to live with us and Younger Son will be able to stay in a comfortable and stylish guest room when he visits. Perhaps that will encourage him to visit more often? (I can only hope 😊).

OK, I think that’s probably enough for this week. I do hope that you have a lovely weekend.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Reading roundup 04/06/25

Posted on 04/06/2025 by The Librain

Welcome to this week’s post. As I wrote last week, I decided to reread The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne because the final book in the trilogy has been published fairly recently. I finished the first volume, The Fury of the Gods, in time for last week’s post and started on the second, The Hunger of the Gods. Life has got in the way of reading, however! We have had a flurry of tasks to do with our house move that have needed my full attention and so I have found it very difficult to concentrate on my book.

The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne

In addition, Elder Son has been suffering with a virus. He is all grown up and in his thirties, but can whinge for England! He is constantly wandering in and out of my bedroom, coughing and spluttering. So, I won’t be at all surprised if I go down with this bug quite soon. With my own rather more severe health issues, this virus will probably hit me very hard. So, please keep your fingers crossed for me!

I will update the blog on Friday with the progress we have made in our house moving saga!

Well, it feels like one!

Happy Reading everyone!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Friday post 30/05/25: with Hermès’ new season scarves

Posted on 29/05/2025 by The Librain

So, Friday has come around again and it’s time for a post! I have been very busy today, sorting out yet more things for our new home, and I apologise for this short piece. If I feel able, I will try to write something more substantial next week. Perhaps an update on our progress? Well, we will see.

On The Purse Forum the thread for Hermès’ Autumn/Winter 2025 scarf and shawl season has begun and the new designs are starting to appear. So far, I can’t see anything that really thrills me. There is quite a nice floral scarf, but I can’t work out how well it would work when tied. There is also a re-issue of an old favourite by Alice Shirley, Tyger, Tyger, as a 70cm. I bought this as a 90cm back in 2015, so am not sure whether I want a smaller version. Anyway, I definitely won’t buy anything that I don’t really love at these steep prices!

Anyway, here are a few of the designs. Some are reissues, others are new, but none have really grabbed my imagination so far. I am pretty sure that more images will become available soon and I will add some of them here and edit this post accordingly. Especially if I really fall for something!

  • Herizens
  • Rendezvous Chez Hermès
  • Palefroi
  • A Toute Berline!
  • Grand Tralala Bandana
  • Paddock CSGM
  • H Illuminée Bandana
  • Flora Y Plata 90 silk
  • Plantes Officinales GT
  • Dans Les Bras de Séléné
  • Cheval de Couer Bandana CSGM
  • C’est la Fête Twilly

That’s all for this week…

Happy Weekend to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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