Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt

 
 

Homecoming  is the first book in what is known as the Tillerman series.  Dicey and her three younger siblings are abandoned by their troubled mother in a carpark in the middle of Connecticut.  They decide to travel across the country to the home of Great Aunt Cilla in Bridgeport.

 

They make it there only to discover that their aunt's daughter  is regarding them as a burden and duty.  She wants above all to become a nun.  Dicey decides to go on to find their grandmother.  The other children insist on going too.

 

Their grandmother is an ornery person and the way Dicey decides to deal with her is noteworthy.

 

I haven't done this epic story justice but I hope you'll get a hold of it if you haven't read it.  I am about to start the second book in the series (Dicey's Song) – and just hope it is as good.

 

PS It was good but not as good.

a bee theme today!

 

The Beehive – one of our Government buildings in Wellington

 
 

I chose to tell you about this iconic building inspired by my blog friend, Linda of Linda's Life Journal who is getting into beekeeping in quite a big way.

 

The Beehive is what everyone calls this building – its official name is The Executive Wing of Parliament Buildings.

 

It was built between 1969 and 1981. It contains the offices of the Prime Minister and her cabinet Ministers.

 

It was conceptually designed by a Scottish architect – who obviously had a sense of humour.  While the building's shape is iconic, it is deeply impractical.  Most of the rooms are wedge shaped and the lifts (elevators) are so small that it is ridiculous.

 

The Beehive is 10 storey's high but has 4 underground levels including the civil defense bunker.