Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/04/2026Thank you — I'm so glad you enjoyed the story! 010
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Are there any fairies left in Norfolk? For those of you who like that sort of thing, I've written a new short story on this topic. It's called "Ferier's Hill". newsfromnorfolk.uk/2026/04/19/f...newsfromnorfolk.ukFerier’s HillYou will recall, perhaps, that most enjoyable conversation over dinner the other week? You were assuring me with great conviction — I cannot now reconstruct the context — that there are now no fai… 393
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 18/03/2026That stool is a real treasure - the design is exactly that of the “creepie” in my story! 020
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 15/03/2026Thanks for the kind wishes. The main roof at Crowland is now in better shape than it has probably been for centuries - I will post some photos here soon. 110
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 14/03/2026For those of you who like that sort of thing, I've written a new uncanny tale - with a springtime theme. You can read it here: newsfromnorfolk.uk/2026/03/13/a...newsfromnorfolk.ukA May Day storyApril was racing towards its end. Only a week or two before, the beech wood had exploded into a mist of tiny, pea-green, guileless little leaves. Beneath them, along the drive that led up the the… 193
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Oooh, thanks - I look forward to encountering this! 010
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/10/2025I've written a new short story. It's about a Norfolk church, a group of parishioners and a gargoyle. You can read it here: newsfromnorfolk.uk/2025/10/29/t...newsfromnorfolk.ukThe Gargoyle“What — what is it, exactly?” asked Pamela, her voice suddenly hoarse. Having glimpsed the thing on the floor, she recoiled from it. Yet at the same time, she couldn’t take her eyes off it. “I’ll t… 161
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 05/10/2025It's a wild, windy day here — why not curl up somewhere cosy and read about an old house in the Fens and its various inhabitants? Here's a ghost story that I wrote earlier this week: newsfromnorfolk.uk/2025/10/04/a...newsfromnorfolk.ukAn Old House in the Fens“A cloudy day or a little sunshine have as great an influence on many constitutions as the most recent blessings or misfortunes” — Joseph Addison (1672-1719) “I suppose what I mean,” said Edmund, r… 191
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 13/09/2025I’m sorry to hear that things are so difficult right now. Sending love to you and your family. 110
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/09/2025I've written a new story about a man, his two little grandchildren, and a scarecrow who might or might not actually exist. If you'd like to read it, here it is: newsfromnorfolk.uk/2025/09/10/t...newsfromnorfolk.ukThe ScarecrowThe Scarecrow? Well, therein lies a tale! Perhaps it’s best that I simply tell you all the facts, such as they are, and let you draw your own conclusions. Jeremy and the twins invited themselves … 292
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 04/09/2025Sorry not to do more here, but it’s just too hard to try to be in several places at the same time - given that I probably spend too much time on social media anyway. 110
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 04/09/2025Thank you! And it’s quite something for me to hear that Toby’s mother resonated with you, especially as she is, ahem, not entirely unfamiliar to me, either. 110
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/03/2025I have to confess at this point that it takes very little to start me off on reciting bits of Beowulf in what might or might not be a proper East Anglian version of Old English .... something I certainly enjoy more than do my listeners / victims. 140
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/03/2025As we're just on the brink of April — when, famously, "longen folk to goon on pilgrimages / And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes" — I have written a story about a pilgrimage. You can read it here newsfromnorfolk.uk/2025/03/26/p...newsfromnorfolk.ukPilgrimage“You argue by results, as this world doesTo settle if an act be good or bad.” TS Eliot, Murder in the Cathedral (1935) For three nights in a row, Agnes dreamed the same dream. On the mor… 4162
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/03/2025A spring tide, as seen from Blakeney High Street 1250
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/03/2025They do, don't they? But yes, that would be a rather alarming development! 020
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/03/2025If you're in Blakeney, do pop round for coffee! I always seem to miss the Richard Foster related meet-ups in London. 020
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/03/2025Happy #CommonwealthDay from Blakeney, Norfolk — a particularly misty part of the United Kingdom earlier this morning 4260
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 06/03/2025No idea, unfortunately - it’s excellent though. 010
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 18/02/2025These are amazing - really useful! Many, many thanks for taking the time to find them for me. 010
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 06/02/2025Thank you, Kevin. I'm so glad that story worked for you although I hope you managed to get a decent night's sleep as well! 110
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 26/01/2025Books, coffee, Fred the cat — and sunshine! 3375
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/01/2025It was a bit windy here this morning, but absolutely nothing compared with what Ireland and Scotland have experienced — we've had stronger winds already once this year — so Bridget is absolutely fine. Thanks for the kind wishes though! 110
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/01/2025Bridget the little cat, at least, has found a safe place in which to wait out the storm (which isn't that bad in Norfolk anyway). 1292
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 22/01/2025I hope so, too. Not least, I've been really encouraged by the responses to "The Lammas Ghosts" — it's a real incentive to put more time into writing. 010
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 21/01/2025I struggle to find time to post here as well as elsewhere, but I do like see posts from old friends! 110
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 21/01/2025Thank you, Andrew! I'm so glad you've enjoyed the stories. 100
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 17/01/2025I love corner rooms that have the windows arranged that way — the light is so beautiful. 110
Reposted by Barendina SmedleyKevin Gardner @kg520.bsky.social · 17/01/2025This collection of ghost stories by @fugitiveink.bsky.social was a Christmas present. Finally settled in tonight to read the opening story, and what a thrill - full of seething dread, unsettling undercurrents, much like the Norfolk landscape the stories occupy. Having read some of Barendina’s 1/2 3286
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 17/01/2025Thank you, Kevin - that's a huge encouragement - I'm so glad that you're enjoying the stories! 020
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/01/2025Churchyard moon — Blakeney, north Norfolk 0351
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 31/12/2024This is a wonderful picture - thank you for sharing it! I love images of early C20 kitchens in use. Some of this also reminds me of the service rooms at the Old Rectory in Blakeney. It's marvellous! 020
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 25/12/2024Nollick Ghennal to you and your family too, John! I hope you have a joyful, memorable, peaceful day. 010
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 25/12/2024Merry Christmas to you and your family, Chris! 010
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 25/12/2024"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Happy Christmas to all my friends here! 3270
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024Ah, how wonderful! Oddly enough, the house in which I grew up had something similar: a day room with louvred folding doors that opened to reveal the (much fancier) parlour, which is where the Christmas tree was set. What a magnificent scene you must have created for Christmas morning! 000
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024There is something strange and extraordinary about seeing a Christmas tree in dark of our hall. 5341
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024Thank you dear Netherfield — I hope you enjoy the stories — it looks as if you've the perfect setting for them. 010
Reposted by Barendina Smedleynetherfield @netherfield34.bsky.social · 21/12/2024The darkest night as Winter Solstice envelops us. Time to sit by the lights of the Christmas tree, surrounded by flickering candles, listening to the gentle ticking of the clock. The perfect evening to open my new book of Norfolk ghost stories by @fugitiveink.bsky.social ✨️🎄🕯🔥🌟😱 3401
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024I'll have you know my husband made this exact same joke, and also thought that I should put an apology in the introduction in case anyone had expected actual llamas. (Or perhaps I need to create a llama-themed ghost story??) 120
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024What evocative, almost magical photos. I hope that being there is a beautiful and consoling thing for you, although there must be mixed feelings. Still, what an amazing connection with a genuinely ancient, truly numinous place. 100
Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 21/12/2024Thank you, Richard! It's made with plenty of bay and rosemary, so if someone brushes against it, it smells rather lovely. 010