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Barendina Smedley

@fugitiveink.bsky.social
897 followers 317 following 215 posts

Norfolk, mostly, but also Lincolnshire or occasionally London I recently wrote a book of short stories, "The Lammas Ghosts", available on Amazon etc or here: www.lulu.com/shop/barendina-smedley…

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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Brilliant — that's great to hear.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Thank you — I'm so glad you enjoyed the story!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Are 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.uk
Ferier’s Hill
You 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…
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
That stool is a real treasure - the design is exactly that of the “creepie” in my story!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Thanks 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.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Thank you, Lesley!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
For 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.uk
A May Day story
April 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…
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Oooh, thanks - I look forward to encountering this!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
I'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.uk
The 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…
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Excellent - I hope you enjoy it! x
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
It'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.uk
An 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…
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
I’m sorry to hear that things are so difficult right now. Sending love to you and your family.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Ah, I see!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
?
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
I'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.uk
The Scarecrow
The 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 …
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Sorry 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.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Thank 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.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
I 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.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Blakeney Quay — spring tides
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
As 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.uk
Pilgrimage
“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…
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
A spring tide, as seen from Blakeney High Street
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
They do, don't they? But yes, that would be a rather alarming development!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
If you're in Blakeney, do pop round for coffee! I always seem to miss the Richard Foster related meet-ups in London.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Happy #CommonwealthDay from Blakeney, Norfolk — a particularly misty part of the United Kingdom earlier this morning
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
No idea, unfortunately - it’s excellent though.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
These are amazing - really useful! Many, many thanks for taking the time to find them for me.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Thank 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!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Books, coffee, Fred the cat — and sunshine!
The image shows a rustic bench. On it are an Emma Bridgewater mug full of milky coffee, and two books - the one with a visible title is E F Benson's "The Complete Matt & Lucia". Meanwhile a young black cat has his front paws on the edge of the bench, considering jumping up to investigate the coffee. It is a bright, sunny winter day, with the light casting the shadows of bare branches onto the bench.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
It 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!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
So much life in an old wall!
A flint-built wall, of the type very common in north Norfolk, catches the late afternoon light. Along its uneven top grow at least two types of moss, while a fern is sprouting out of the front of it, stretching out towards the camera. In the background, somewhat indistinct, are bare-branched beech trees.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Bridget 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).
A traditional timber summer house sits on a green lawn. It has a casement window. Inside the window one can see a little black and white cat looking attentively toward the viewer. There are bare trees in the background.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
I 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.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
I struggle to find time to post here as well as elsewhere, but I do like see posts from old friends!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Thank you, Andrew! I'm so glad you've enjoyed the stories.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
I love corner rooms that have the windows arranged that way — the light is so beautiful.
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Reposted by Barendina Smedley
Kevin Gardner @kg520.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
This 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
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Thank you, Kevin - that's a huge encouragement - I'm so glad that you're enjoying the stories!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
Churchyard moon — Blakeney, north Norfolk
In a churchyard, a gracile church tower is visible in silhouette against a pink and violet even sky. Above the churchyard hangs a gibbous moon. The overall mood is a bit gothic and brooding.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
This 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!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 25/12/2024
Nollick Ghennal to you and your family too, John! I hope you have a joyful, memorable, peaceful day.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 25/12/2024
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Chris!
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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!
The image shows a Christmas tree decoration representing a dove with a golden halo - a symbol of the Holy Ghost - with other Christmas ornaments in the background, all on a real fir tree.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Ah, 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!
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
There is something strange and extraordinary about seeing a Christmas tree in dark of our hall.
A rather dark room is lined with old oak and William Morris' "Blackthorn" wallpaper. In the background is a Christmas tree, reaching up to the beamed ceiling. It is illuminated by little lights, and hung with baubles. The light from the tree catches on the old oak and lights up the scene, drawing the eye towards it.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Thank you dear Netherfield — I hope you enjoy the stories — it looks as if you've the perfect setting for them.
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Reposted by Barendina Smedley
netherfield @netherfield34.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
The 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 ✨️🎄🕯🔥🌟😱
A dark softback book cover titled The Lammas Ghosts held up next to a lit candle & coloured Christmas tree lights
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
I'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??)
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
What 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.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Thank you, Richard! It's made with plenty of bay and rosemary, so if someone brushes against it, it smells rather lovely.
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Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
That's ... quite special.
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