Happy Halloween

So what are you up to this fine Halloween? On previous nights we have had green mash, sausages and beans for dinner, followed by mud pie and jelly worms. Even the dog joined in by drinking 'blood' - coloured water. Tonight is a quiet one, but we will be indulging in pumpkin beer and dark cider as well as some spooky chocs.

Have a good one and stay safe!

More research...

More St George and the Dragon...

Pre-Raphaelite

This work is part of a set of four drawings attributed to Rosa Corder after stained glass windows by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1861-62).

What sends shivers up YOUR spine?

Salem's Lot did it for me. This particular scene is the stuff of nightmares - well, it was back then. I wasn't a writer in those days, but I can see where the paranormal ideas now stem from.

Research

When writing about dragons, you'd think there'd be little to research, but I'm finding myself looking at so many things. I found out that St George's sword was called Ascalon and that he was around about 800 years ago - depending on which source you look at! Did you know? - 'Traditionally, the sword with which St. George slew the dragon was called Ascalon, a name recalling the city of Ashkelon, Israel. From this tradition, the name Ascalon was used by Winston Churchill for his personal aircraft during World War II, since St. George is the Patron Saint of England.'

This is one of my favourite paintings by Edward Burne-Jones

One of the seven studies for the painting

Edward Burne-Jones, ‘The Legend of St George and the Dragon, VI: St George Kills the Dragon’, 1866

The angel entrance to Moghador