I have made a decision. A radical decision. Iberia is calling my name and the dark haired Prussian Knight and I are going to spend a fortnight cavorting on the golden sands, not caring about the little details that are too inclined to cling to the hem of my undergarments and weigh me down.

Iberia of course is nothing new, nothing radical (not like before) and I plan on enjoying every second that I get to spend with the dark haired Prussian Knight. Afterwards however, I now have a plan of action.

A grande tour is too extravagant, too conspicuous and I feel I would lose touch with the world that I so much crave. Instead I have managed to convince my parents that I am to travel across the Continent to the Eastern borders and make a home for myself and my retinue and learn another country's culture.

I shall of course be in disguise, for a female cannot travel on her own without a reason, these are such the trappings of the life I lead, but I want to get to know another country. I remember the love I felt for the Antipodes, it shall always be my second home. But is it so wrong to want a third, a fourth?

I want to understand why there are differences in religions and races, what values different people fight for. I want to know that there is more in this world than the debauchery I have lavished upon myself for so long.

Answers shall not come swiftly for me, and I do not expect this to be easy. The gruelling task of crossing the Continent shall be mine to bear, but I look forward to the challenge once the Convent has released me from its iron grip.

It was hard for me to let the Prussian Knight know of my decision to leave the Shire; we had become terribly fond of each other's company, but I know in my heart that travelling and learning and seeing the world mean more to me than any sort of relationship we could etch out.

I watch the rain fall for the first time in a month. The yellow grass desperate for the attention of the significant droplets, the trees yearning for more than a mere smattering. A thunderstorm is brewing, there is tension in the air and an electricity that cannot be ignored.

Something is about to change.



D. S.

The convent has once again become a little bubble that is impossible to burst... Of course all things do come to an end, the end is one of life's only inevitabilities, but until then I shall continue to fritteraway my time here in the glorious sunshine.

Belle and I have had wonderful excursions to Brighthelmstone, dipping our delicate toes into the English Channel. I too have had the pleasure of my dark haired Prussian knight while cavorting on the coast. We dined and danced and pleasured like it was the last evening on earth. I cannot fathom not knowing him for we are so alike. However, my path may once again take me travelling to yonder countries, and I cannot afford to let my guard down and have our hearts as one if I am to rip it away.

Distance and love are not friends.

I adore the company I keep here in the Convent. I greatly miss the Irish lady of Corcaigh and the with no scolding priest I am almost more well behaved! It's an intriguing thing to know what pushes my imagination. And nothing makes me want to misbehave more than being told 'no'.

I shall have the wonderful pleasure of the Prussian knight once my time at the convent has come to an end. We are to travel together to Iberia and frolic in the Mediterranean Sea.

D. S.

Darlings, the Convent has taken over my life, and I had forgotten what it was like to take a step back and ignore the more trivial aspects such as gossip and frequent socialising!

I have had many days to sit and contemplate staring out at the gorgeous countryside here in Brighthelmstone, and I adore having the quality time to spend with Belle. It has been rather a shock to the system, for I have had to curb my elaborate ways and diminish my exuberant need to be the centre of attention (or rather I have at least attempted to).

What has kept me on my toes are the somewhat surprisingly commonplace letters of correspondence from the dark haired Prussian knight! Alack, the blonde Esquire has disappeared as if he never even existed ~ all but for a few fond memories that I have no desire to expunge. But his place has swiftly been replaced by the Prussian knight.

I was pleasantly surprised that there was already a letter waiting for me after my arrival at the Convent, and it could have only been days since I left the dark haired knight's arms. His intentions could not be more subtle; we talk of every subject under the sun, our passion for travel unites us in a way that breaks boundaries. I certainly already feel as if I have known him for centuries. His letters are a comfort and a familiarity that I have become all too accustomed with.

The convent has some wonderful characters this year; Belle is not the only familiar face however! The Irish Lady of Corcaigh's younger brother has joined the cloisters, and though I have never before set my eyes upon him, because we share the friendship of his sister, we have become firm friends. So too has Belle's governess joined us on these most beautiful grounds. It was delightful to reminisce about our time across the Irish Sea and the three of us laughed with candour at the memories.

There are a few new faces who have not yet made enough of an impression to write about. Well, at least I shall give them the benefit of the doubt to redeem themselves after a few drinks of ale the other night... I do believe it shall be an interesting few months!

I shall enjoy the summer months here at the Convent. But I shall too enjoy the lack of male company. It is about time I focussed on my closer friends, the bond of sisterhood that cannot be betrayed.



D. S.