Yours Faithfully, Amanda

Wednesday 17 July 2019 Hartford, Connecticut Dear Jane, And so our Cartagena  adventure  continues... A breakfast fit for hobbits. Our second day (Monday, the twentieth of May) was one that both Rachael and I had been looking forward to for quite some time as we were to spend the majority of it on a boat! Before boating, however, breakfast was a necessity. I do so loath to sound "bougie," Jane, but our first full day in Cartagena began by indulging in an exceedingly delicious breakfast whilst seated at a charming table by the pool. Hotel Caribe provides a wonderful buffet breakfast consisting of fresh fruit and jugos (juices), strong & flavorful coffee, eggs, meats, cheeses, pandebono (a roll, of sorts, with cheese baked in- YUM), an assortment of delectable, local pastries (that I cannot remember the names of), and much more! And as I am a hobbit, I often went back for second breakfast. I daresay I could have lingered by the breakfast buffet for ho...

February 16, 2019 Dear Jane, As it two days after Valentine's Day, I must discuss something with you of the utmost importance. I do not wish to play the blame game, Jane, but you must admit that you gave me (and all your gentle readers) some very unrealistic expectations about love when you wrote characters like Captain Wentworth, Mr. Darcy & Mr. Knightley (and the lesser-talked-about, Admiral Croft. He was a true gentleman, Jane, who clearly valued his remarkable wife!). But do not fret for I forgive you, dear friend! We are most fortunate to have your novels to turn to both when love is in the air and when it is not. Of course, that is not to say you were a writer of mere love stories. I am a firm believer (as are most, I should hope) that your novels are some of the greatest works of fiction ever written. However, as it is the month of love, I shall share my favorite romantic moment from Persuasion: Captain Wentworth's letter. "I can listen no longer in silenc...

December 17, 2018 Dear Jane, Mama and I at tea! A lovely afternoon and celebration! First of all, happy belated 243rd birthday! The anniversary of your birth was yesterday and I spent the day celebrating you and your legacy at a charming Regency tea party in Suffield, Connecticut at the Phelps-Hatheway house along with my dear Mama. In truth, I spent the whole weekend celebrating you as I also attended the regional meeting for the Jane Austen Society of North America (NY chapter) on the island of Manhattan on Saturday. The delightful meeting consisted of both an engaging lecture as well as a Birthday tea and toast (of sparkling cider, of course. It would not do to have inebriated Janeites wandering the streets of New York City...or would it...?). You deserve more details on these events as they were both in your honor, but this will have to suffice for the time being! Anyway, back to England. Are you still daydreaming of Chatsworth as I am? I often wish I was back there wa...

October 22, 2018 Dear Jane, I confess that I am feeling rather forlorn and quite ready for another overseas adventure, my friend. What is a young lady to do in such a situation? I suppose I must bide my time, restore my finances and continue to reflect on my English holiday this past August... I am quite proud of that sneaky introduction to what is yet another letter about my trip this summer. COL (*Chuckle Out Loud*) England Part Four...are you ready for it? (Gentle readers: If you did not hear the beginning of Taylor Swift's song, "...Ready For It?" in your head just now, then you need to start listening to 'Reputation' on repeat. Jane: I do not expect you to know this song as it is not one you would recognize!) I digress. The fourth day of our trip, Jane, was most exciting as it was the day we travelled up to York via train. Both Rachael and I had been looking forward to this part of our holiday for months. It just so happened that neither of us had...