A soft sigh escapes my lips and a cool, gentle breeze rustles the fabric of my mantle as I stand on the battlements and look out over the gently rolling countryside.

It seems such a long time that my husband has been away in Normandy on business. There is unrest on both sides of channel and I grow ever more impatient for news or his safe return.

With one last look across the fields I know so well, I turn and make my way back down to the Great Hall. Taking my place at the table, I notice it is a smallish gathering this day but the company is still a welcome distraction from my thoughts of Jhon.

It is towards end of the meal, as the merriment in the hall grows with tankards of mead consumed, that I hear a sudden commotion in the courtyard - the arrival of unexpected horsemen.

Leaving the table, I quickly cross the hall, step through the doorway, and stand momentarily stunned as I spot Jhon among the men ...
I smile, both happy and relieved ... an unexpected but wonderful surprise ...

A soft veil of rain gently begins to fall as my hubby Jhon makes his preparations to leave for Rouen.

I know not how long he will be gone on business, but I hope he will stay safe and soon return. With one last fond look he turns his horse and, in the company of a few friends who are travelling with him, heads out through the bailey.

After what I hope will be a calm crossing he will spend a short time in Boulogne before continuing his journey onto Rouen.

Returning to the Great Hall I feel rather flat, but know there is work to be done and I must keep the household running in his absence. One of my companions is working on a tapestry, so I begin to climb the stairs up to the first floor to take a look at her progress, before we attend chapel.

This is, of course, the daily lot of a lady in medieval times.