Dear All,
I’ve been back in London for about a month now. I’d like to tell you I have entirely processed my time at the BSR and am now certain what to do with the plethora of experiences and research I accumulated there. I haven’t. It may take months. Or years. Those who know me personally will know I am somewhat of an optimistic cynic, but when it comes to the BSR all I can think of are cliched superlatives. If you ever get a chance to visit, do. It is an esoteric, scholarly and mildly eccentric place, and I hope March was not the last time I ever darken its doors.
For those of you interested in a little more detail on the medieval towers that were my reason for staying there, I wrote a piece for BD here which gives a nice summary. With the rest of the research I am halfway through an article for a more academic audience which I hope may be accepted for publication, and am also hoping a book gets picked up- though no publisher or agent has yet leapt upon the proposal. We shall see what happens!
Speaking of books (such a subtle transition!) my book is now out everywhere and available for purchase at waterstones, amazon, or direct from RIBA books. If you have got a copy and like it please do leave us a review online- algorithms are king these days and reviews really help! Paul and I are launching it at the AA bookshop in London at 6pm on Wednesday 24th May- if you happen to be in the area you would be more than welcome to join.
It has been rather an adjustment being back in London, and back at work. The weather, coffee and oranges are all sadder here, but I am happy to be back at Allies and Morrison- they’re a lovely bunch of people. Much of the practice endured a talk from me about the process of writing the book in mid April- it was so lovely to finally talk through the process with the people that had heard the odd moan, or seen me madly reading PDF proofs in my lunchbreaks.
I’ll be giving a talk to the Georgian Group (London) in May about the book, if you’re interested. I also know there are a few Norfolk faces on this mailing list so I will also add that I will be speaking to the The Norfolk Archaeological & Historical Research Group as part of their autumn lecture series. I also recently published a piece on Dezeen here, though I will add that the comments are probably more amusing than the piece.
Now this is beginning to read as one long advert which is not my intent. It’s been a busy few months with so many opportunities and experiences colliding at one time. Exciting but probably rather dull to read as a list. I will therefore close with the anecdote that I am now the proud owner of a black swan feather, having been invited to the St George’s Day dinner at the Oxford College of a BSR friend. The swan feather, it appears, is the traditional gift of this dinner; which must also involve eating goose, on the instructions of the benefactor who gifted the college the money to host the annual dinner. The mild absurdity and fun of it more or less sums up how I have felt about the last four months. I’m enjoying it while it lasts!
Until next time
Eleanor
Welcome home Eleanor. I’ve really enjoyed your BSR posts, & wished there had been more. I’m wondering whether you might be interested in talking about your book, & Rome research to architects in Manchester later this year? I’m Phil Griffin. My email is phil@spoken-image.com