Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, England. While not widely known during her lifetime, her comic novels of love among the landed gentry gained popularity after 1869, and her reputation skyrocketed in the 20th century. Her novels, including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, are considered literary classics..

Jane was the seventh child and second daughter of Cassandra and George Austen. Her parents were well-respected community members…her father served as the Oxford-educated rector for a nearby Anglican parish. George Austen encouraged learning and creative thinking in his children…and  when Jane was young, she and her siblings were encouraged to read from their father's extensive library. This creativity led to the children putting on plays which they themselves wrote..

In order to give them a more formal education..the Austens sent Jane and Cassandra her older sister to boarding schools. Sadly during this time, Jane and her sister caught typhus, Jane almost died..Because of financial constraints the sisters had to cut their formal education short and returned home..

Always fascinated by stories, Jane began to write in bound notebooks. In the 1790s, during her adolescence, she started to craft her own novels and wrote Love and Freindship [sic], a parody of romantic fiction organized as a series of love letters. Using that framework, she unveiled her wit and dislike of sensibility, or romantic hysteria, a distinct perspective that would eventually characterize much of her later writing..

The next year she wrote The History of England... a 34-page parody of historical writing that included illustrations drawn by Cassandra. These notebooks, encompassing the novels as well as short stories, poems and plays, are now referred to as Jane's Juvenilia.

Jane spent much of her early adulthood helping run the family home, playing piano, attending church, and socializing with neighbours. Her nights and weekends often involved cotillions, and as a result, she became an accomplished dancer. On other evenings, she would choose a novel from the shelf and read it aloud to her family, occasionally one she had written herself.

She continued to write, developing her style in more ambitious works such as Lady Susan, a story written as a series of letters about a manipulative woman who uses her sexuality, intelligence and charm to have her way with others.

Jane also started to write some of her future major works, the first called Elinor and Marianne, another story told as a series of letters, which would eventually be published as Sense and Sensibility. She began drafts of First Impressions, which would later be published as Pride and Prejudice, and Susan, later published as Northanger Abbey by Jane's brother, Henry, following Jane's death..

In 1801, Jane moved to Bath with her father, mother and Cassandra. Then, in 1805, her father died after a short illness. As a result, the family was thrust into financial straits and the three women moved from place to place, skipping between the homes of various family members to rented flats. It was not until 1809 that they were able to settle into a stable living situation at Jane's brother Edward's cottage in Chawton.

Now in her 30s, Jane started to anonymously publish her works. In the period spanning 1811-16, she pseudonymously published Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice (a work she referred to as her "darling child," which also received critical acclaim), Mansfield Park and Emma.

In 1816, at the age of 41, Jane started to become ill with what some say might have been Addison's disease. She made impressive efforts to continue working at a normal pace, editing older works as well as starting a new novel called The Brothers, which would be published after her death as Sanditon. Another novel, Persuasion, would also be published posthumously. At some point, Jane's condition deteriorated to such a degree that she ceased writing. She died on July 18, 1817, in Winchester, Hampshire, England.

While Jane received some accolades for her works while still alive, with her first three novels garnering critical attention and increasing financial reward, it was not until after her death that her brother Henry revealed to the public that she was an author.

Today, Jane Austen is considered one of the greatest writers in English history, both by academics and the general public.

Abridged version taken from Jane Austen’s biography…

Jane's bedroom at Chawton Cottage...

...and dining room..

Taken from DeliciousReads.Com

             A Summary of Jane's "Sense and Sensibility"....

 Henry Dashwood has been married before and has a son John by his first wife…when he married the second Mrs Dashwood they had three daughters..Elinor, Marianne and Margaret..

At the beginning of the story Henry Dashwood has just died and his estate Norland Park is inherited by his son John from his first marriage..unfortunately.. Henry has nothing but ten thousand pounds to leave to his wife and daughters..

As English law of the day dictates, women could not inherit property, and so the women were left at the mercy of their stepbrother John…John, in addition to inheriting Norland Park has a sizeable fortune from his own mother and is also married to the wealthy Fanny Ferrars..

On his deathbed Henry Dashwood pleads with John to provide for the three girls and their mother and John promises he will..John however.. although a good natured person is easily manipulated by his 'narrow-minded and selfish' wife. The three girls inherit a thousand pounds each, but they are dependent on John to provide for them any additional money they might need. However, John's wife, Fanny, slowly manipulates him into giving the girls very little on which to survive.

When Fanny’s brother, Edward Ferrars, begins to show an interest in Elinor, John’s half sister.. Fanny is determined to prevent any alliance between them. She makes life so uncomfortable for the older Mrs.Dashwood and her daughters that the ladies accept the offer of their relative, Sir John Middleton, to occupy a cottage on his estate.

The cottage at Barton Park..some historians say Jane Austen based Barton Park on  the rectory at Steventon where she lived as a child…Mrs Dashwood, Elinor and Marianne are happy in the cottage and while there they meet Colonel Brandon the thirty five year old friend of Sir John Middleton..Colonel Brandon is immediately attracted to Marianne…she however.. considers him too old and rejects him. Instead, she falls in love with John Willoughby, a young man visiting wealthy relatives on a neighbouring estate.

Once, while the young people are preparing for an outing, Colonel Brandon is called away in a mysterious fashion. Elinor and Marianne are surprised later to hear that he has a daughter. Willoughby seems determined to give Marianne a bad impression of Colonel Brandon, which displeases Elinor and shortly after the colonel’s sudden departure, Willoughby himself leaves very suddenly and without explanation. Elinor cannot help being concerned about the manner of his departure, particularly since he did not make a definite engagement with Marianne.

A week later, Edward Ferrars appeared at the cottage for a visit. Elinor is strongly attracted to him, but Edward seems to have very little interest in her. After a short stay, he leaves the cottage without saying anything to give Elinor hope. Meanwhile, Sir John invites to his home Miss Lucy Steele and her sister, two young ladies whom Elinor thinks vulgar and ignorant. She is therefore stunned when Lucy tells her that she is secretly engaged to Edward, whom she met while he was a pupil of Lucy’s uncle.

According to Lucy’s story, they were engaged for four years, but Edward’s mother would not permit him to marry. Since Edward has no money of his own and no occupation, they are forced to wait for Mrs. Ferrars’s consent before they can announce their engagement. Concealing her unhappiness at this news, Elinor tells Lucy that she will help in any way she can.

A short time later, Elinor and Marianne are invited to London to visit friends. Marianne immediately writes to Willoughby to inform him that she is near. Although she writes two or three times, she gets no reply. One day, she meets him at a social event. He is with another young lady and treats Marianne courteously but coolly. The next morning, Marianne receives a letter from him telling her that he is sorry if she misunderstood his intentions and that he has long been engaged to someone else. All of her friends and relatives are furious with Willoughby. Although she is heartbroken, Marianne continues to defend him and to believe that he is blameless. She is comforted by Colonel Brandon, who is also in London.

The Colonel privately tells Elinor, Willoughby’s story. The Colonel had a ward, a young girl some believed to be his daughter, who is in reality the daughter of his brother’s divorced wife. The Colonel had to leave Barton Park so suddenly because he learned that his ward was seduced and then abandoned by Willoughby. When Elinor tells Marianne the news, her sister receives it with such sorrow that Elinor fears for her health. Colonel Brandon continues to be kind to Marianne, and it is obvious to everyone that he loves her deeply.

The young women stay on in London. A little later, their brother John and his wife take a house there. When the Misses Steele also arrive in town for a visit, Edward’s mother learns at last that he and Lucy are engaged. Angrily, she settles what would have been Edward’s inheritance on her other son, Robert, leaving Edward and Lucy with no means of support. Edward plans to study for the ministry, and Elinor arranges with Colonel Brandon that he become a curate on his estate so as to enable Edward and Lucy to be married.

Before Elinor and Marianne return home, they visit Cleveland, an estate between London and Barton Park. There Marianne becomes ill with a severe cold. Because she is anxious to see her mother, Colonel Brandon goes to fetch Mrs. Dashwood. Before they return, Willoughby, hearing of Marianne’s illness, calls at the house. He admits to Elinor that he treated Marianne so shamefully because he has no money of his own and because his wealthy relative learned of the affair with Colonel Brandon’s ward; as a result, his relative cut off his allowance, and he renounced Marianne, to marry a wealthy young woman. He declares that he still loves Marianne and wishes her to know his story so that she will not think too harshly of him.

Marianne recovers from her illness and returns home with her mother and Elinor. After Elinor tells her Willoughby’s story, Marianne continues to be sorrowful for him, but she no longer loves him.

After their return, Elinor learns from a servant that Mr. Ferrars and Lucy are married. She assumes that Edward married Lucy. Soon Edward appears at the cottage and tells the Dashwoods that the unscrupulous Lucy married his brother instead of him, since their mother disinherited Edward in favor of Robert. Edward comes to ask Elinor to marry him, and he has no trouble in gaining her consent as well as that of her mother. It remains only for him to secure a living.

Edward goes to London to seek his mother’s forgiveness. Because Mrs. Ferrars repudiated her son Robert after his marriage to Lucy, she feels a need for affection from one of her children. After much weeping and pleading, which fails to move Edward in his determination to marry Elinor, Mrs. Ferrars gives her consent to the wedding. After their marriage, they move into the parsonage that Colonel Brandon promised Edward some months before.

The colonel continues his quiet and gentle courtship of Marianne. At last, she recognizes his true worth, and they are married. When they move to his estate, the two sisters are near each other once more. Fanny and John are so pleased to be related to the Colonel that Fanny even forgives Edward for marrying Elinor. Mrs. Dashwood is delighted at the good fortune of her children, and the families live in peace and contentment.

Various Sources including CliffsNotes.com

Although Steventon Rectory no longer exists...historians believe Jane's description of Barton House in Sense and Sensibility strongly resembles her childhood home...this is an old print of a drawing of the rectory..

For the movie "Sense and Sensibility" starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet..a house was found in South Devon called Efford House which bears a striking resemblance to the drawing of Steventon Rectory...

Water colour of Jane by her sister Cassandra Austen ...known as the "Rice Portrait"...

More later...

             A Summary of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"...

Jane Austen’s second novel “Pride and Prejudice” was published in 1813. The novel centres largely around the Bennet family consisting of Mr.Bennet, Mrs.Bennet, and their five daughters..Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. At the beginning of the novel, Mrs. Bennet whose life seems to revolve around finding husbands for her daughters is in a fluster because a new neighbour has moved into the nearby Netherfield estate.

She insists that Mr.Bennet go talk to this new neighbour, a Mr.Bingley, because she hopes he will marry one of her daughters. Though it may seem trivial, the need for a husband was actually a real concern for women during Regency England. After Mr.Bennet's death, the Bennet daughters will be left with very little..so it is important that they get married so they will not face a life of poverty and Mrs. Bennet is only too aware of this fact.

Eventually, the Bennets do become acquainted with Mr.Bingley. They go to several balls where he is also in attendance. His two sisters..Mrs.Hurst and Miss Caroline Bingley are staying at Netherfield with him, and they attend these events as well. Mr. Bingley also brings along his friend, Mr. Darcy who happens to be very rich.

In general, everyone in town finds Mr.Bingley extremely agreeable. However, Mr.Darcy, who is largely silent and dances with no one, is immediately labelled as proud and unlikeable. In particular, he slights Elizabeth Bennet by calling her "barely tolerable" while she is within earshot.

Meanwhile, Mr.Bingley and Jane harbour a growing affection for each other. Mrs.Bennet hopes..quite publically..that they will be married. However, Elizabeth's friend, Charlotte, is concerned that Bingley might think Jane indifferent to him because she is shy and not always forthright with her feelings. She thinks Jane should hurry up and marry Bingley before he loses interest. For Charlotte, marriage is a matter of security, and love is merely a secondary benefit, if it happens at all.

Soon, Mr.Collins comes to visit the Bennets at their estate. A distant cousin, Mr.Collins will inherit Longbourne when Mr.Bennet dies because is the nearest male relative. The Bennet sisters find him socially awkward, irritating, and rather a nuisance. Perhaps most annoyingly, he talks constantly about his patroness, Lady Catherine, whom no one has every heard of nor cares anything about.

However, Mr. Collins has come with the intention of wedding one of the Bennet daughters, though he really only tells this to Mrs.Bennet. He initially targets Jane but, when he learns that she is being courted already, he decides to pursue Elizabeth instead.

Meanwhile..the Bennet daughters have become acquainted with a militiaman, a certain Mr.Wickham. Kitty and Lydia frequent Meryton, where a regiment is stationed, and they flirt shamelessly, encouraged all the more by their mother. Wickham is one of their acquaintances. Soon enough, Elizabeth becomes rather charmed by him. She is appalled to hear that he has a history with Mr.Darcy. Wickham claims that he and Darcy grew up together. Wickham was supposed to receive an inheritance from Mr. Darcy's father but, according to Wickham, Darcy cheated him out of the money. Elizabeth believes him immediately because she has always thought herself a rather good judge of character. The story fuels her already growing dislike of Mr. Darcy.

Shortly after a ball during which Elizabeth shares an unpleasant dance with Mr.Darcy, she receives an equally unpleasant marriage proposal from Mr. Collins. He lists several reasons for marriage and, interestingly enough, none of the reasons is love. Completely, surprised, Elizabeth tries to refuse. However, Mr.Collins insists that she must be toying with him, as he believes this is the norm with young ladies. However, she persists in her refusal. Mr.Collins even goes so far as to tell her she may never receive another marriage proposal and that she should accept. Still, Elizabeth refuses.

Naturally, Mrs. Bennet is furious because she viewed this as an opportunity for her daughters to stay at Longbourne. Not long after Elizabeth's refusal, Mr.Collins proposes to Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte, with no other prospects of marriage and with the looming prospect of becoming an old maid, agrees to marry him much to Elizabeth’s surprise

Soon, more surprising news arrives. Bingley, despite his clear interest in Jane, has gone away to London. Jane hears about it through a letter from Caroline Bingley. Elizabeth suspects that Caroline had something to do with his going away. Though heartbroken, Jane pretends not to be.

An aunt and uncle to the Bennet girls..the Gardiners..soon come by for a visit. Sensing Jane's upset state, they offer to take her away to London for a vacation. Jane agrees. Meanwhile, Elizabeth goes to visit Charlotte at her new home with Mr.Collins.

Charlotte, though she clearly doesn't love her husband, seems happy enough in her new home. Elizabeth gets the chance to meet Lady Catherine, and finds her overbearing, proud, and entirely too judgmental. Surprisingly, Elizabeth also encounters Mr.Darcy while visiting Lady Catherine, as he is Lady Catherine's nephew. Mr.Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, is also visiting. Elizabeth spends some time with the both of them, and is surprised to learn from Colonel Fitzwilliam that Darcy had recently bragged to him about saving one of his friends from an imprudent marriage. Elizabeth knows, immediately, that Darcy was referring to Jane and Bingley. Her dislike of him grows stronger than ever.

She is more surprised than ever, then, when Darcy suddenly shows up at Mr. Collins' home and proposes to her. Though his proposal is heartfelt and he mentions his deep feelings for her, Elizabeth can't help but be offended by his proposal as well. He tells her that he hesitated to propose because he objected to her family's low status. Elizabeth refuses his offer, telling him she is upset because he separated Bingley and Jane. She also tells him that she knows about his past with Wickham. With that, Darcy leaves.

He meets her the next day while she is on a walk, and gives her a letter. The letter explains everything. He admits to separating Jane and Bingley; however, he says he only did it because he thought Jane was indifferent, and he didn't want Bingley's heart broken. As to her claims about Wickham, Darcy disproves all of them. He tells Elizabeth that he had indeed given Wickham the inheritance he was promised, but that Wickham gambled it all away. On top of that, Wickham even tried to elope with Darcy's then fifteen year-old sister, just to get her money.

Elizabeth is humiliated to learn to truth, and she realizes she was very wrong about Darcy and Wickham. For the first time, she realizes that her prejudice against Darcy completely got in the way of seeing him for who he really is.

Elizabeth returns home, only to see that Kitty and Lydia are as silly as ever. In particular, Lydia receives an invitation from a friend of hers, Mrs.Forster, to stay in Brighton where the militia will be stationed. Elizabeth tells her father this is a bad idea, and that it will only encourage Lydia's flirtation and immature behaviour. However, Mr. Bennet insists it will be an opportunity for her to grow up a little bit. So, Lydia departs.

At the same time, Elizabeth agrees to travel with the Gardiners and do some sightseeing. Ironically enough, they end up visiting Pemberley..Mr. Darcy's estate. Mr.Darcy is not supposed to be home; however, he shows up out of the blue and Elizabeth is completely embarrassed to be seen at his home. Darcy is a complete gentleman to her. Elizabeth also hears from his servants how much they respect him, and she begins to see him in a new light.

Just as she is beginning to wonder if she might have a future with Darcy after all, Elizabeth receives terrible news from home. Lydia has run away with Wickham. As a result, Lydia is in danger of ruining both her own reputation and that of her family. Her family's only hope is to find Lydia and make sure she marries Wickham. After telling Darcy what has happened, Elizabeth rushes home.

Her father and Mr.Gardiner search for Lydia for several days. Mr.Bennet returns home, and a letter from Mr.Gardiner arrives soon after, explaining that Lydia has been found. Wickham has agreed to marry her. The Bennets suspect that Mr. Gardiner paid Wickham a handsome sum to marry her because Lydia has very little to offer to an already poor soldier.

Following this, Lydia returns home, oblivious to the fact that she has done anything wrong at all. She accidentally reveals that Darcy was at her wedding. After writing to Mrs.Gardiner, Elizabeth finds out that it was Darcy who paid Lydia to marry Wickham. Elizabeth is stunned and grateful that he would do such a thing, and she finds herself harbouring a growing affection for him.

Unexpectedly, Bingley soon returns to Netherfield and, with him, Mr.Darcy. Elizabeth is disappointed that she doesn't get a chance to talk to Darcy about all that has happened. However, Bingley proposes to Jane after a few days, apologizing for leaving so suddenly before.

A few days later, Elizabeth receives an unexpected visit from Lady Catherine, who has come to follow up on a rumor she has heard that Elizabeth is engaged to Mr. Darcy. Lady Catherine demands to know if this is true and, when she learns it is not, tries to force Elizabeth into promising it will never be true. Elizabeth refuses to bend to her will but is hopeful because such a rumor could mean that Darcy still has an interest in her.

Indeed, a few days later, Darcy reappears. He and Elizabeth talk about all that has happened, and he asks if her feelings have changed toward him at all. She says they have, and they agree to be married.

Pride and Prejudice is by far one of the more favourite of Jane Austen's books and a little more elaboration here only adds to the understanding of the novel...

The evolution of both Elizabeth and Darcy's characters is a major focus in the novel. At first, Darcy appears overly proud because of his high-ranking social status. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is prejudiced against him because of his wealth and rank.

It is because of this prejudice that Elizabeth makes false assumptions about Darcy. And it is Darcy's pride that offends Elizabeth so greatly. However, as the novel progresses, Elizabeth realizes she was wrong in her prejudice against Darcy and that he is actually a selfless, kind-hearted individual.

Similarly, Darcy realizes his faults and his overly proud nature in judging the Bennet family. Once these two characters see each other's true natures, only then do they realize what true love really is and, thus, achieve happiness together.

Additionally, the novel has a lot to say about women's issues during Regency England. Austen clearly points out the problems with a society in which women must chose to marry for love or for the sake of a convenient lifestyle. The characters who are happiest at the end are those who have chosen love over money, which seems to suggest that Austen is in favour of love.

However, characters like Charlotte Lucas also point out that this is not always a feasible option for women. Sadly, Charlotte must endure a life with an irksome Mr.Collins as a husband. Though one might be disappointed in her, they must also realize Charlotte's only other option would be life as a spinster and a burden to her parents.

Clearly, Austen is a bit critical of Charlotte's situation. This is also apparent in the overbearing character of Mrs. Bennet, and her singular obsession with marrying off her daughters. Again, by showing the ridiculousness of Mrs. Bennet's behavior, Austen shows that there should be more to women than just hoping for a profitable marriage.

Various Sources used including: JaneAusten.Org..SparkNotes..CliffNotes and Delicious Reads...

        Three main settings were used for Pride and Prejudice: 

Basildon Park is a beautiful Palladian mansion was built in 1776-83. The interior is notable for its original delicate plasterwork and elegant staircase, as well as the unusual Octagon Room.

The house fell on hard times early in the last century but was rescued and restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe, who filled it with fine pictures and furniture.. The property is owned by The National Trust and appears on screen in 2005's Pride and Prejudice as Netherfield Park...

Source: National Trust UK

Burghley House is a grand 16th century country house near Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, a leading example of Elizabethan architecture.

Its park was laid out by Capability Brown and it was used as Rosings Park in the movie Pride and Prejudice

Source: burghley.co.uk

Chatsworth House was built by Sir William Cavendish and his wife Bess of Hardwick. They bought the 1,000 acre estate land in 1549 and construction of the house started in 1552.

It is believed that Jane Austen may have based her idea of Pemberley on Chatsworth House and written the novel while in Bakewell..she wrote..

"The eye was instantly caught by Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of the valley into which the road into some abruptness wound."

"It was a large, handsome, stone building standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal, nor falsely adorned."

Chatsworth was also mentioned in the novel as one of the estates Elizabeth Bennet visits before arriving at Pemberley.

Source: www.chatsworth.org

More later....

Cottesbrooke Hall in Northamptonshire has long been thought by some to have been the estate and house that  inspired  Jane Austen when she created the house (and estate) of Mansfield Park in her novel of the same name.

I knew you would do that...in spite of a request not to...that's why I brought it up today...to see what would happen!!

But...I have one over on you...

I have already made a tape this morning of the work I have done and will add to it..

So this thread has now been terminated...

What sad people you and your friends are...

You have done me no harm Raphael..only yourself...and this will manifest itself later...

Hatred is such a sad thing...it does not hurt the person you are directing it to..what it does is it twists YOU inside and forms cancers...

Huh?

I agree with Waldo Emerson

Her stories read like a poor soap opera

But to each his / her own

Poor Thea - being rail roaded again by the resident bully. Raphael, what is your problem? Thea has gone to a lot of trouble on this site and you immediately come in and muck it up. You are only quoting the words of Waldo Emerson, I bet you have never read any of Jane Austen's stories.  Take no notice Thea I have enjoyed reading all your threads. Are you jealous of Thea? because you're always making fun of her and her friends. I am proud to be one of her friends and will always stick up for her. 

Hola...thank you so much for your very kind words...I appreciate them more than I can say...

Don't worry my friend...they will never get the better of me because my strengths come from a place they dare not venture into..

I believe they sense that and that's why they try so hard to topple me..they will never win...

Raphael..should start looking inwards...for his own sake...

It's a real shame that whenever I try to bring something happy and inspirational to this forum...they attack...it's as if some are afraid to be happy...and they resent those who are...

Thank you again Hola...hugs...

Hi Hola, I agree wholeheartedly. It is just plain jealousy.

Jealousy of a person who is intelligent, full of the joy of life and who has the courage to do her own thing. 

What an example of seniors, sad.

To Thea:

or is he still sitting on the beach in Devon having an "imaginary" latte??

Yes..I remember that Reagan... last time we heard from Brocky he mentioned having a pie at that stately estate...

I hope we hear more about it....

How I love Jane Austen country....

SO nice of you to create a thread just for Brocky

I'm sure he'll pop in when he finds some time away from his vacation schedule

Sometimes you surprise even me Thea.

Well done you :))

Thea loves doing nice things for people. I am going to be a guest of her and her family in a few months.

Hope we get some feed back about yours,Brocky's and Pete's escapades or should we say "imaginary" escapades in Devon? and don't forget to include your other "imaginary friend the hairy one, hahaha

See ya later Mr "Imaginary" LOL

I'm not in Devon.

Brocky is. Please get that right

I'll be in Hong Kong tomorrow

CYA 

Better see a shrink while you're there, foxy lady hahahaha

that comment was unnecessary

and you wonder why you and your "family" are not well thought of in this forum

To be well thought of by a handful of unruly and ill mannered seniors is not a great honour believe me. So you can put that one to rest.

I much rather associate with the new members who turn up from the other forum. 

Will  you write to us from HK???? please do

  I have visited HK more times than I care to remember. So get your stories right,hhahah

but that's not what you have been going since you got here. Mostly nasty posts to me and Foxy 

move along then old chap

you should be packing pete, or are you taking only a back pack haha

time for dinner, go open your baked beans and enjoy.

CYA

only transiting old chap

might take the train to Tsin Sha Tsui for quick bit of shopping 

then a shower a good meal and a few bubblies at the Pier Busness Lounge

And then there is that post on Radish's thread about the muscled grandma

unnecessary

tbey bully and then cry wolf 

i did say something about that,  but of course got no reply,    cowards,  

Yes it will be 

Flying  back in Oz after almost a year away