Happy New Year to all….

(Photograph of Althorp from 1940.)

This week I was taken to see these beautiful windows, by William Morris, commissioned by my great-grandfather Robert Spencer to commemorate his wife Margaret, who died giving birth to their sixth child. Wonderful, in a way, that intense grief gave birth to such glorious creations.

July sky, for Bluesky.

New neighbours have moved in at Althorp - a quartet of beautiful alpacas. Incredibly positive and happy energy emanating from them - everyone here smiles when they set eyes on them. Happy birthday, @catjarman.bsky.social - these are for you!

What will life after the House of Lords look like for Britain’s aristocrats? European nobles have found fresh purpose in business and the arts after losing political power

Terrific new column from @charlesspencer.bsky.social: "These are all potential futures for the British aristocracy, although it has survived difficult spots before" www.ft.com/content/3ef2...

First peonies of the season opened at Althorp today.

Cascade of wisteria, at Althorp.

Double rainbow this evening at Althorp.

Easter Monday.

Wednesday normally means a new episode of the Rabbit Hole Detectives but ⁦‪@RevRichardColes‬⁩ ⁦‪@CatJarman‬⁩ & I signed off on this podcast with a final, live, episode at ⁦‪@AlthorpHouse‬⁩ on Friday. Thanks so much to all of you who listened!

I’m excited to have the @AlthorpLitFest returning to @AlthorpHouse this Friday-Sunday: so many fantastic authors kindly coming to stay, and speak. Weather set fair. Please go to althorp.com if you want to come to any talks that haven’t sold out already

Gorgeous light at Althorp this afternoon.

So very sorry about your mother. Glad we could take your mind off things a little. Sincere condolences.

Althorp in c.1890, and today. No cows allowed on the lawns these days - otherwise, much the same.

Thank you.

Amazing what lies in the ground at historic UK houses, like @AlthorpHouse - some finds give rise to fascinating questions. Does anyone still grow ‘silver pippin’ apples or pears? The Walled Garden at Althorp was in its pomp from c.1730 till 1939. Photo: A. Greeno

Three months old, first night out. Always a relief when the second puppy jab is done.

First signs of light at 7.27 this morning. At last the winter nights are shortening.

The Deer Park at Althorp, last night.

At the back of Althorp Park.

The Round Oval Lake at Althorp, this evening.

This morning, at @althorphouse.bsky.social

The Moon above Althorp’s Stables, this cold crisp evening.

A team of workmen tending Althorp’s front courtyard, in 1861 - a historic moment in time, to see out 2024, while wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

Happy Christmas, from Althorp. (The tree was grown here.)

Althorp, 84 Decembers ago.

If you’re at a loose end at 6.15 this evening, you could tune in to @bbcradio4.bsky.social and listen to this….

Many thanks indeed to @thetimes.com for choosing ‘A Very Private School’ as a Book of the Year.

Just finished recording an episode of Loose Ends - Clive Anderson’s @BBCRadio4 chat show - which will air tomorrow. Enormous fun being one of his guests, talking about the Rabbit Hole Detectives podcast, and The Rabbit Hole Book. I was last on this show 10 years ago with my book Killers of the King.