Barendina Smedley
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fugitiveink.bsky.social
Barendina Smedley
@fugitiveink.bsky.social
840 followers 300 following 210 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: https://www.lulu.com/shop/barendina-smedley/the-lammas-ghosts/paperback/product-kvmk646.html
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fugitiveink.bsky.social
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...
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…
newsfromnorfolk.uk
October 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
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...
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…
newsfromnorfolk.uk
October 5, 2025 at 8:43 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
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...
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 …
newsfromnorfolk.uk
September 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
Blakeney Quay — spring tides
March 29, 2025 at 7:39 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
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...
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…
newsfromnorfolk.uk
March 29, 2025 at 7:21 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
A spring tide, as seen from Blakeney High Street
March 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
Happy #CommonwealthDay from Blakeney, Norfolk — a particularly misty part of the United Kingdom earlier this morning
March 10, 2025 at 10:10 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
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.
January 26, 2025 at 5:34 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
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.
January 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
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.
January 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Reposted by Barendina Smedley
kg520.bsky.social
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
January 17, 2025 at 4:26 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
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.
January 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
"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.
December 25, 2024 at 4:43 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
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.
December 24, 2024 at 5:33 AM
Reposted by Barendina Smedley
netherfield34.bsky.social
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
December 21, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Barendina Smedley
richardjamesfoster.bsky.social
Let me say, too, that Barendina’s book was a delight. She’s got a way with setting a scene and leaving an unsettling afterglow. A few rum do’s in those stories, let me tell you.
fugitiveink.bsky.social Barendina Smedley @fugitiveink.bsky.social · Dec 13
If you enjoy this story, do remember that I've published a whole book of these things: "The Lammas Ghosts: Fifteen Norfolk Ghost Stories". You can buy it on Amazon, via the link below, or try asking at your favourite indie bookstore www.lulu.com/shop/barendi...
The Lammas Ghosts
A half-forgotten harvest ritual still casting a long shadow … picture-perfect seaside holiday villages hiding simmering resentments and the odd dark secret … old houses with very long memories … East...
www.lulu.com
December 20, 2024 at 4:45 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
It's the eve of the winter solstice — a good time for extra lights.
A doorway (Georgian) stands out against an ochre, roughcast wall. A rose is trained over the door. There is a Christmas wreath on the door. Christmas lights are dangled over the top of the door surround, catching on the roughcast.
December 20, 2024 at 4:39 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
I am reliably informed that, although the solstice is not quite here yet, as of today, sunset is happening later each day, although the sunrise continues to happen later and later, too.
A very vivid sunset - gold, rose, violet - is visible against a bright blue sky, with a low hill and some trees below.
December 15, 2024 at 4:44 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
That really was quite a sunset.
A very bright red and gold sunset is visible above and behind some silhouetted trees
December 15, 2024 at 4:42 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
For people who like that sort of thing, I've written a new story for Christmas — with, you may not be surprised to learn, a strong Norfolk theme. It's a sort of thank you to everyone who's been so supportive of my writing over this past year. Enjoy! newsfromnorfolk.uk/2024/12/13/t...
The Excavation
“’Tis the solitude of the Country that creates these Whimsies; there was never such a thing as a Ghost heard of at London, except in the Play-house.” Joseph Addison, The Drummer (1716) “I…
newsfromnorfolk.uk
December 13, 2024 at 4:54 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
There are worse ways in which to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.
A small cat sits on a red brocade sofa. It is watching a wood fire that is burning in a large, 16th century fireplace, complete with inglenooks. Nearby stands a Georgian table on top of which are several books. A red and blue carpet is on the oak floor. A lamp and another sofa are partially visible. The air is one of warmth and calm.
December 9, 2024 at 4:48 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
Good afternoon, Vichai the little cat
A cat sits on an old table. The cat is a tabby with white nose, chest and paws. He has long whiskers. Behind him is a 17th century ornamented wooden box, and visible behind that, William Morris wallpaper in the pattern "Blackthorn". The cat has a reflective, thoughtful look.
December 4, 2024 at 2:25 PM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
First Sunday in Advent — Wiveton, Norfolk.
A late Medieval English church stands out against an early morning sky full of purple, pink and golden tones, while a bird flies overhead. One window of the church is partially lit up.
December 1, 2024 at 9:57 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
A moment of calm on Blakeney quay this morning
A boat is moored in a tidal creek. The water on which it floats is so still as to be mirror-like, reflecting the blues and greys of the sky above it.
November 28, 2024 at 8:26 AM
fugitiveink.bsky.social
I've let you down again, haven't I, little Spoon?
A little cat is sitting in a country kitchen, in a fruit box labelled "Apples from Suffolk", alongside two bags of salad. The cat has an accusing look.
November 26, 2024 at 10:37 AM