Great Writers - Jane Austen

I just loved Chawton last Sunday! 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' What an opening to 'Pride and Prejudice'. I bought a a complete and unabridged Collector's Copy so that I might be able to capture some of Jane's inspiration and dedication to the enjoyment of writing ...just writing and observing too of course. Just as in all great books the first few sentences sets the whole theme up....arouses curiosity...entices one on to search and ponder. I realise I am being prosiac but I can't resist. The ambience of the house in such a quintessential English hamlet...could it be called a village? When my friend Margaret drove off the main road it was as though the world took a breather and allowed us to ease into a time capsule. The meandering autumn tree canoped road, the thatched cottages, village green and of course Jane's house. We were taken back into a typical genteel English way of life. So much to see and read about. So many snippets of information side my side with a library of books and comentries and study books replete with information ane speculation. Costume and custom inside and a stables and gardens surrounding encouraged us to relax and soak up the atmosphere before we stepped across to the tea rooms for afternoon tea at four in the kind of cafe that one would expect to find in this area. No potted music but doilies and coffee, walnut, Victoria sponge and fruit cake, china cups and proper tea in china tea pots.Just the kind of afternoon one would long to be transported back to enjoy with Jane.