Somehow it’s been a full six years since my semester in Winchester! When my photo memories pop up on my phone (almost daily), I’m shocked by how quickly that time went…and I totally want to visit again!
The old stone buildings, stunning cathedrals, and whimsical countryside hikes are calling. Perhaps more so this year, because as my family knows, I’ve been head-down in editing one of my favorite works-in-progress, a historical drama that’s set in the south of England.
Cue the elevator pitch for Thornbrook Academy:
On the eve of World War II, dramas and mysteries unfold at a British boarding school for wealthy American youth.
Out of all the stories I’ve written, this one required the most research. But needless to say, it’s been so much fun to edit. Especially when I can do so on a cozy November evening, with a cup of tea nearby and big band music on repeat.
Looking back at my Winchester photos also adds to the inspiration. As a student I remember being surprised by how old everything in town was. The history fascinated me. (My hometown in Oregon is great, but it certainly doesn’t have ancient ruins right next door to the park). Also, because I didn’t have my car, and was forced to walk around Winchester, I had the chance to study everything in-depth. Afternoon prayer walks to the Hospital of St. Cross showed me the value of slowing down, of appreciating the beauty and the stories all around me (as well as the author of those stories).
Though I can’t travel back in time (either to my semester abroad or the England that my Thornbrook Academy characters would recognize), my imagination is still piqued by the memories of this lovely location. I hope you enjoy this random assortment of six-year-old photos, and can pretend—for a moment—that your November is also set in a charming city across the Pond.
Much love,
Abigail Skelton