A rare photograph of celebrated romantic novelist, poet, painter, potter, columnist, wit, historian, wine expert, TV celebrity, gardener, composer, librettist, agony aunt,  goodwill ambassador, peace envoy, 

vegetarian, animal campaigner and award-winning interior designer,

 Polenta 'Bunny' Hartebeeste, sitting at home as she models one

of the silk gowns she created as a method of relaxing after another

 gruelling world book tour. "I'm constantly amazing myself" she told a circle of startled reporters.