Posted by Jenny Berki on January 20, 2007 at 16:07:43 from 82.36.97.120 user JennyB.
In Reply to: Re: The Untold Stories - Re: When did Swallow get swamped? posted by Laurence Monkhouse on January 14, 2007 at 07:38:35:
Great theory, Laurence. I've got a bit more to add...
The very beginning of SW suggests it's just after WD has ended - Daddy has just returned home, and Jim Brading and his concussion are being looked after by his aunt.
SW takes place in a summery setting - Bridget always goes to bed long before it's dark, the weather is hot (so hot that Bridget dozes off in the heat of the day), there are plenty of ice-cream-scoffing tourists who have visited the beach and have sand in their shoes, and the sun is "high overhead" when they make the meal-dial. After SW ends, all the explorers are going straight back to school.
In WD, when Jim Brading falls asleep at the supper table it's after 7pm and Bridget isn't in bed. By the time Jim leaves "it was growing dark outside, very dark" and Bridget "ought to be in bed". The weather in WD is unlike that of SW, but this being England, any weather conditions can (and often do) occur at any time of year.
So, I agree the two books took place 14 days apart. I'd guess at WD being in mid-August, with SW starting 14 days later, probably running into September.