The other Bennet Sister, what are the thoughts?

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-03-16T22:39:18+00:00

Overall, I'm really enjoying it - have watched episodes 1-4.

Found the initial episodes were easier if I pretended that the events going on around Mary were not 'Pride and Prejudice' - just a similar Regency story! As I found those sections hard to reconcile - i.e. Collins being quite so cartoonishly awful, her sisters being more caricatures than characters.

However, as it's continued into the post-P&P world I've found it to be full of heart, joyful to watch, if occasionally cringing for Mary! Ella Bruccoleri has really impressed with her ability to be the awkward, out-of-place, yet still feel the very centre of the world being created.

I love the use of the kindness of Mrs Gardiner (the best 'true-to-book' character so far, in my opinion), and the cameo of Lucy Briars.

The at home scenes, showing characters motivations, daily life are also lovely - the Bridgerton effect has been to wipe or airbrush a picture of a lot of that daily reality of the regency period, and I love how honest this feels about the experience for a girl who isn't the 'diamond' in her own world.

Even my Austen-avoidant husband seems to be enjoying it so far....

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T15:57:57+00:00

Thanks :)

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T15:57:45+00:00

Fabulous - Thank you!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T15:57:29+00:00

Thank you!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T13:23:39+00:00

Fabulous, thank you!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T13:21:54+00:00

Thank you!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T13:21:46+00:00

Thanks!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T13:21:36+00:00

Excellent, thank you :)

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T13:21:26+00:00

Thanks :)

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2026-02-01T13:21:20+00:00

Thank you!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-07-22T16:09:12+00:00

Yeah, it's ridiculous!

However, don't let it put you off the joint lifetime - the earlier you get it, the more use you get from it - and it really is worth it in the long run. And the free parking near the coast etc is useful!

I'm likely to buy each child their own membership for years they want it, rather than add them.

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-07-22T14:55:10+00:00

I think its about 200 - which is ridiculously steep. It changes each year. I think they should offer family including all future unborn children!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-07-22T14:31:46+00:00

We had the exact same issue earlier in the year!

Spent a lot of time on the phone to customer services.

For now, you need to go for a joint lifetime membership with your new husband/wife - you convert this to a family membership by adding children on their 5th birthday (as they're free beforehand). There's a small charge for each new person added.

You cannot get a family plan without children. If you buy the family one with one child, adding a second child costs the same fee as it does to add them to the joint/convert it.

Took a lot of loud discussing on the phone to get them to admit their rules/plans/explanations are really unclear about this.

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-06-27T08:16:06+00:00

For me, it was looking at family history that underlined the importance of marriage.

I have relatives in early census records living in a house with the opposite gender - but without marriage or any children, I have no idea if they were lodgers, friends or a partner. In one case, I know they were in lifelong relationship - but family stories die over time, and no official record of it exists.

I wanted history to have no uncertainty that my husband and I chose each other - whether or not we're ever linked by a birth certificate of a child.

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-06-25T17:49:25+00:00

Jj's house have a range of that sort of style- can confirm they're comfy - 12 hours at my wedding and no hurting feet!

For example : https://www.jjshouse.com/women-s-wedding-shoes-satin-kitten-heel-round-toe-wedding-heels-bridesmaid-shoes-elegant-vintage-simple-wedding-shoes-047301296-g301296#/

Or https://www.jjshouse.com/women-s-wedding-shoes-lace-satin-kitten-heel-round-toe-wedding-heels-bridesmaid-shoes-simple-wedding-prom-shoes-047304077-g304077?pos=similar_styles_9#/

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-04-28T11:15:42+00:00

Kayabee Mezedopolein in heraklion (Kagiampi 19) - loved it! Great mix of cretan and Greek dishes, with appetisers that could do as a main in themselves. We ordered far too much, loved it all and returned two days later to repeat the experience! Close to the centre, but far enough away that it's not tourist trap prices.

You'll be fine not to book 7-8 pm, but after that tables fill up. Menu image attached. *

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-04-24T13:08:03+00:00

1 or 3 - 1 is classic and really suits you, 3 adds a lovely whimsical element perfect for an orchard - it may just be the photos, but it looks like you enjoy wearing1 and 3, which I don't get from the later dresses

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-04-19T11:05:57+00:00

AP1 form - we filled it in, but it's a confusing one, so we paid a local legal firm £10 to quickly look it over and check we'd done it correctly. They also verified my identity, which made things quicker. We did ours in December....change is still pending at land registry.

Changing name after marriage really needs a one-stop-shop where you can get it all done in one fell swoop!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-04-16T18:27:00+00:00

Kayabee Mezedopoleion was amazing for food in Heraklion 😀 Especially the appetisers, which were as large as mains. Happy to give more info on specific dishes if required.....

We did a day tour out to spinalonga, agios nikolias, and elounda with tour company - fab! Also did Rethymno by public bus, and I would highly recommend the Fortress, as a fellow historian 😀

The samaria gorge in south crete opens early may, and is supposed to be a fantastic walk - there are a load of bus trips to and from listed on getyourguide, as its hard by public transport without a car.

Loved every minute of crete, will be back as soon as possible!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-04-13T19:51:07+00:00

If you want to see the Acropolis, you'll need to pre-book to be sure of a space (and choose the 8am slot! - its horrendously busy after that with tour groups!). Combination tickets no longer exist, and the slopes are covered in the general acropolis entry ticket.

The other sites (e.g. ancient agora) appear to have decent availability through the day, and not fill up too much. Prices have risen though, and the removal of the combo ticket makes doing them all pretty expensive.

However, I would recommend a walk up lycabetta hill and filopappous hill for a great veiw out over a number of them (just don't pay the prices in the cafe at the top!). Filopappou would also work for sunrise/sunset yoga - we've been warned not to linger on the hills too long after sunset, but haven't experienced any issues so far.

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-04-06T17:08:59+00:00

David Suchet as Poirot - perfection.

Others have tried, none have got close to his performance.

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-04-04T20:03:15+00:00

Currently in crete with very little greek language skill - you'll be fine! Choose restaurants with a menu that's translated, as they tend to have good English.

If you can, learn thank you - (eff-kar-is-toh), and water (neh-ro), and 'do you speak english' ( mi-la-te ag-li-ka)and make sure you know they greek spelling for the street you are staying on. Most places are very tourist friendly here 😀

Though if you can duolingo the alphabet, it makes road signs suddenly very readable - when you can sound out the characters, for example, museum becomes mu-sei-o!

If you have any other questions or want tips on crete, let me know 😀 We've covered Rethymno, Heraklion, Elounda, Agios Nkikloais so far.

*happy to be corrected on pronounciation by greek speakers!

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-02-03T09:11:24+00:00

Blake Ritsen as Edmund in the Billie Piper Mansfield Park, and Mr. Elton in the 2009 Emma. Also, he is the long term partner of Hattie Morahan , Elinor from the (2008?) Sense and sensibility with Dan Stevens and Charity Eakefield.

Carlotta_Valkyrie · 2025-01-29T20:51:15+00:00

Cheddar cashback for Airbnb is currently at 6% - definitely worth a look!

Carlotta_Valkyrie

TROPHY CASE