I'm back and with a new look! **Big Giveaway!**

Hello my lovely readers, 

I am back! Did you miss me? Well, I can't believe my last blog post was back in October - so much has happened for me since then, that the time has simply flown by! I hope you have all been well and enjoyed 2017 so far. 

Well, first and foremost, what do you think of my redesigned blog? I have to say I am really pleased with the new look and my sincere thanks must go to the very talented Janet Taylor for the wonderful drawings, and to the fantastically clever Sarah Johnson for incorporating them into my new blog. I can't take credit for any of it!  However, I am glad to have this revamp finally complete and to be back with you. Keep reading to hear about a massive giveaway, and about a number of interesting posts from a variety of friends, that  I have lined up to celebrate my new look! 


But before all that, I want to give you a little brief catch up of some exciting recent events and also what I have planned in the coming few weeks.  

So first, following the Jane Austen festival back in September 2016, I had a very exciting invitation to feature in a US television programme about Jane Austen's ring. It was a real surprise when they got in touch, but I was so excited to have the chance to experience being filmed for my first time ever. The programme aired in February as part of a series called Strange Inheritance, and the episode in which I feature was investigating the story behind Jane Austen's ring. I don't have a recording I can share with you, unfortunately, but I am told there are often repeats shown in America - so my US readers could look out for it - and they also hope it will make it to British television before too long. The filming of my scene was great fun. With a friend, I had to travel up to London and while "taking afternoon tea", I was interviewed about Jane and my journey with her, as well as my opinion of the ring and who may have given it to Jane. The interview was quite a long one, although, of course, not much made it into the final programme - you know what the editing process is like! However, it was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity, as well as good fun! Did anyone catch the show and spot me?   


Next, and still on the subject of television, I am in the middle of another exciting project at the moment. Not long after the American appearance, I was contacted by the BBC, who were making a programme about Jane Austen's fan culture and interested to include me!  I was incredibly surprised, and honoured, to be contacted, and it has been such an amazing adventure.  To date, I have had two filming days and have the final one to look forward to next week. I can't tell you too much detail at the moment, but I will keep you updated, as and when I am permitted to share more information with you! It is certainly a perfect way to make the bi-centennial year memorable! 

Then, just yesterday, I was interviewed by the Guardian newspaper, who are doing an article on Jane's continuing popularity, 200 years on - so it really is all go this year!

Indeed, with 2017 being such a monumental year for us Janeites, you will doubtless already be aware that there is so much going on - and I for one am trying to cram in as much as I can! I have already attended some wonderful balls and talks, Regency Week in Chawton is fast-approaching , and the Jane Austen festival in Bath is around the corner, in September. But I have many more balls and talks and events on the horizon too. 

Particular events coming up that I am looking forward to include the memorial service for Jane on July 18th at Winchester Cathedral, where she is buried. Then there is a similar event 6 days later, when we will be walking the route of Jane's final journey. It is going to be a sad occasion, however I am determined to stay happy and see it as a celebration of her life, rather than mourning her death.

So, that is a brief account of what I have been up to and some of my plans! 

Now, back to my new look and my celebratory posts and giveaway! I have asked a number of my friends, many of whom have shared these recent events and experiences whilst I was away from my blog, if they would like to write a post.  I am delighted that I have had a great response and a variety of super posts are coming your way in the next few weeks. 

As well as writing posts, many of my friends have offered to donate things for a giveaway - everything from books or jewellery to wall prints and audiobooks! I have a wonderful 20 items or more up for grabs in this giveaway, which starts today, and continues throughout the course of the re-launch.

*** INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY***

Twenty lucky winners will receive a prize from my giveaway, ranging from books, audiobooks, jewellery, prints, and more! I will randomly draw the winners and whoever is drawn first will have first choice from the prizes, and so on. 

How to enter: 

1. Comment on any of the posts throughout my re-launch - one comment per post counts as an entry! 

2. Follow me by email, using the box in the right hand sidebar  - if you already do, tell me and you'll still get the extra entry!

3. Like my page on Facebook - again, tell me if you already do (here, or on Facebook)!

4. Invite your friends to like my page - tell me and tag me so I can see! 

5. Share my posts on Facebook - again, if commenting only here let me know! 
6. Comment on Facebook - let me know here if you do!

7. Follow me on Twitter - let me know, or if you already do!

8. Retweet my posts - let me know (here, or on twitter)! 

9. +1 any of my posts on Google+ - again, the more posts you do, the more entries you can get!.

10. Subscribe to me on YouTube - tell me if you do, or already do! 

**IMPORTANT** Please leave your email address, Facebook name, Twitter name, Youtube name or whatever is needed so I can keep track of and check all entries as there are many ways to gain entries. If you are the lucky winner, I will be in touch by email to sort the prize out. 

Other posts from my re-launch tour - comment on each one for more entries to the giveaway!

Food production
A regency wardrobe
Don't get sick!

Good luck!