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Arthur Ransome
@aransome.bsky.social
160 followers 82 following 670 posts
Ransome related chats and quizzes, and all things Swallows and Amazons ⛵️
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aransome.bsky.social
❄️ HUGE thanks to all who attended our Winter Holiday chat. It was a genuine pleasure to meet, connect, and explore this book together ❄️ … so much so, we’re doing it again!

When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (link to follow)
What? COOT CLUB

So get reading/listening…

#SwallowsAndAmazons
An image of the cover of the Jonathan Cape publication of ‘Coot Club: A Norfolk Broads Adventure’. It shows various pen and ink illustrations from the inside of the book, including of some dinghies, interspersed with deep pink shaded areas
February 8, 2026 at 10:29 PM
aransome.bsky.social
Cousin?
Photograph of a moss covered set of sandstone steps going over a most sandstone wall
February 7, 2026 at 11:15 AM
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And some questions to get us thinking …
Winter Holiday begins with two new characters, Dick and Dot. Why do you think Arthur Ransome chose to do this? We get to know Mrs Blackett a little more during this story. What do you think of her as a person, and as a parent? There is a lot of humour in Winter Holiday. What are your favourite moments? We see a gentle friendship developing between Mr Dixon and Dick. Why do you think these two characters are attracted to one another? If you could be dropped into any scene in the story, which part would you choose? Nancy is absent for much of the action in this story. Why do you think Arthur Ransome chose to do this? To what extent do we feel her presence? How do you think Peggy's character responds to Nancy's absence? What role does the Fram play in this story? John and Susan face a dilemma when they consider whether or not to sleep in the Fram. Did they make the right decision? There is mention of various meals in Winter Holiday, from Fram-based feasts to North Pole chickens. If you could take part in any, which would you choose? Would you have paid for a mumpy. handshake as suggested by Roger, if it got you a month off school? How do you think that Ransome plays with our perception of time in this book? 'Winter Holiday should only be read in winter': discuss Is James Turner more 'Captain Flint' or 'Uncle Jim' in this story? During the race to the Pole, what kinds of feelings does Ransome evoke in us as readers? How does he achieve this? "The final scene in Winter Holiday is one of Ransome's finest endings': discuss Do you remember when you first read this story? Where does Winter Holiday rank for you, in your list of personal favourites?
February 6, 2026 at 9:37 PM
aransome.bsky.social
🛷📚❄️Ahead of our Winter Holiday chat, here are a few prompt questions, just to get us thinking!❄️📚🛷

There’s no need to answer any/all of them, and it will be very relaxed (no one will be put on the spot). If you’d prefer to just sit back and listen that’s absolutely fine 😊

Zoom link to follow!
Winter Holiday begins with two new characters, Dick and Dot. Why do you think Arthur Ransome chose to do this? We get to know Mrs Blackett a little more during this story. What do you think of her as a person, and as a parent? There is a lot of humour in Winter Holiday. What are your favourite moments? We see a gentle friendship developing between Mr Dixon and Dick. Why do you think these two characters are attracted to one another? If you could be dropped into any scene in the story, which part would you choose? Nancy is absent for much of the action in this story. Why do you think Arthur Ransome chose to do this? To what extent do we feel her presence? How do you think Peggy’s character responds to Nancy’s absence? What role does the Fram play in this story? John and Susan face a dilemma when they consider whether or not to sleep in the Fram. Did they make the right decision? There is mention of various meals in Winter Holiday, from Fram-based feasts to North Pole chickens. If you could take part in any, which would you choose? Would you have paid for a mumpy handshake as suggested by Roger, if it got you a month off school? How do you think that Ransome plays with our perception of time in this book? ‘Winter Holiday should only be read in winter’: discuss Is James Turner more ‘Captain Flint’ or ‘Uncle Jim’ in this story? During the race to the Pole, what kinds of feelings does Ransome evoke in us as readers? How does he achieve this? ‘The final scene in Winter Holiday is one of Ransome’s finest endings’: discuss Do you remember when you first read this story? Where does Winter Holiday rank for you, in your list of personal favourites?
February 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM
aransome.bsky.social
Just sat down with cup of tea to take part, and someone else seems to have also decided it’s a good idea to watch the birds this morning …
Photo of a bird table, with a neighbour’s cat sitting hopefully next to it
January 25, 2026 at 10:19 AM
aransome.bsky.social
It’s a dark, wet day… let’s brighten it up by sharing our favourite Arthur Ransome copies.

📚Which is your favourite copy?
📚Is it paperback or hardback?
📚When/where did you get it?
📚What is it that you particularly like about it?

Reply below! 👇

#SwallowsAndAmazons
A photograph showing some spines of Jonathan Cape editions of Arthur Ransome books. Some are in good condition, and some less so, but all very much loved.
January 13, 2026 at 9:11 AM
aransome.bsky.social
Not quite signalling to Mars, but for anyone UK based, there’s a red alert for the aurora just now, so worth having a peak towards the north if you’re somewhere without too much cloud cover/light pollution
January 10, 2026 at 8:40 PM
aransome.bsky.social
📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣

When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫

#SwallowsAndAmazons
An image of the cover of Winter Holiday by Arthur Ransome
January 10, 2026 at 8:52 AM
aransome.bsky.social
Highly recommend ‘Reading Series Fiction’ by Victor Watson to anyone interested in children’s literature. Watson explores why we value reading series (like visiting ‘a room full of friends’), devotes a juicy 3 ch to Swallows&Amazons, &also explores The Dark is Rising, Green Knowe, The Borrowers etc
An imagine of the book ‘Reading Series Fiction’ by Victor Watson, gently resting on aged spaniel Molly A image of the contents page of Reading Series Fiction, showing three chapters devoted to the Swallows and Amazons books, as well as an Introduction called ‘a room full of friends’
January 3, 2026 at 9:04 AM
aransome.bsky.social
Fair winds and following seas to all for 2026… wishing everyone a year ahead full of good things ⛵️
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Line drawing showing the Swallows and Amazons flags, and the words ‘Swallows and Amazons For Ever’
December 31, 2025 at 11:25 PM
aransome.bsky.social
Hello friends, I’m sorry for the radio silence, it’s been (is) a difficult time hence the lack of quizzes/advent calendar this year. I hope to start again in the new year, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear your recent Ransome reads, thoughts, moments… or just say hello! #SwallowsAndAmazons
A line drawing showing the Swallows sitting and looking out over the lake. The illustration is called ‘Making Ships Papers’
December 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
aransome.bsky.social
Important crossword clue: see 17 across …
A crossword. 17 across: _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ O Crossword clue: 17 across - insectivorous mammal (9)
October 31, 2025 at 1:07 PM
aransome.bsky.social
Just catching up with Only Connect … some excellent Ransomish clues here 🏴‍☠️
September 22, 2025 at 8:05 PM
aransome.bsky.social
A quiz! Can you name:

1. The furtive character A
2. The three characters at B
3. What B are searching for, and the name of their company
4. The book

Reply with guesses below, answers tomorrow! #SwallowsAndAmazons #ArthurRansome
A line drawing depicts a barren rocky landscape. A furtive figure wearing a hat appears in the left of the image, in the distance, and is marked A. Three characters marked B are in the foreground on the right. One wears a cap, the others have short hair. One of the three wears spectacles and carries a hammer. All three at B are looking towards A.
July 13, 2025 at 8:33 AM
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It’s been a little while since we’ve had a discussion, so…

What’s your preferred Ransome read for July? Perhaps you like to dive into Pigeon Post for a sweltering adventure, or take refuge in the cold of Winter Holiday?? Do share your thoughts! 👇

PS quiz to follow soon

#SwallowsAndAmazons
A snapshot of a coloured map of High Moor and High Topps.
July 2, 2025 at 8:22 AM
aransome.bsky.social
Very lucky to be doing a spot of Swallows-and-Amazons-ing in the Lake District this weekend. Where’s your favourite place to go adventuring? 🥾
A view of Grasmere. The sky is blue with a few fluffy white clouds.
March 15, 2025 at 2:37 PM
aransome.bsky.social
On #internationalwomensday, let’s celebrate some of Arthur Ransome’s female characters. Who holds a special place in your heart, and why?
A drawing of Captain Nancy climbing up the newly erected trellis at Beckfoot
March 8, 2025 at 11:19 AM
aransome.bsky.social
After posting the Swallowdale quiz yesterday, I spotted this rather similar view on a walk today, which made me smile.

A canal rather than a stream, Wales rather than the Lakes, and thankfully no GA in the vicinity…
A photograph of a bridge over a canal, with some shrubs to the right A line drawing by Arthur Ransome of a bridge over a stream
February 8, 2025 at 9:34 PM
aransome.bsky.social
It’s been too long since we’ve had a quiz, so here goes…

1. Name characters A & B
2. Which location are they about to discover?
3. When A&B return from exploring, there’s a hurry to get going-which visitor has occasioned the hurry?
4. Sailing back, which portentous rock is spotted?

Answers tom!
A line drawing shows character A (wearing a dress and leading the way) and character B (scruffy hair and shorts, following A) up to their ankles in a stream, and passing beneath a stone bridge.
February 7, 2025 at 9:54 PM
aransome.bsky.social
Thought I’d share this painting which my Dad made this week … rather Ransome-esque!
An acrylic painting of Coniston, with two sailing dinghies in the foreground… one with a white sail, and one with a red sail.
January 31, 2025 at 2:55 PM
aransome.bsky.social
It’s certainly been Winter Holiday weather here… Do share your snowy pics ❄️🔭✨📷👇
A photo showing a hillside covered with snow
January 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
aransome.bsky.social
A quiz for new year!
1. Name characters A, B, & C
2. B saves A & C from an unpleasant breakfast experience - what?
3. What piece of kitchen equipment does B recommend?
4. C has found something belonging to B - what?
5. Which book?

Reply with guesses, answers tomorrow!
Character A, who wears pigtails, is holding a bottle and standing next to a table set for a meal. Character B holds a bottle and is relaxing in an open doorway. Character C, who is wearing spectacles, watches on.
January 1, 2025 at 9:29 PM
aransome.bsky.social
And day 24!

1. Name character A
2. Name the building, and the characters who are already inside
3. What food item does A have in their knapsack?
4. With what does A make a good blaze?
5. Which book?

Bonus… share any of your favourite moments from this story!

Reply below, answers tomorrow!
A snowy scene. We see character A in the foreground, moving towards a small building which has light shining from its windows
December 24, 2024 at 9:02 PM
aransome.bsky.social
Day 23!

1. Who is at the window, under the blue circle? What vegetable do they resemble, and why?
2. What does the flag above signify?
3. Who is leaning on the sundial, writing?
4. Name the location
5. Which book?

Reply with guesses, answers tomorrow!
A line drawing shows the backs of seven characters, six of whom are looking at an upper window in a house, and one is leaving on a sundial, writing. At the upper window a blue circle obscures the face of a character, although we can see two outstretched arms. A flag hangs above the window.
December 23, 2024 at 9:37 PM
aransome.bsky.social
Day 22!
1. Name this character
2. What is he watching?
3. What mode of transport did he use to arrive at this location?
4. Someone else is masquerading as this character-who? And how do they imitate this character’s appearance?
5. Which book?

Reply with guesses, answers tom!
A character wearing spectacles sits between two rocks, behind a net that has some foliage woven into it. They are looking towards a lake and watching something intently.
December 22, 2024 at 2:46 PM