Archive Entries for June 2018
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Saturday June 30, 2018
Books in June
- H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald [read by the author]
I heard about this acclaimed book and thought I should read it, but was very nervous as it was said to be about "loss", which did not appeal so much. However, it is a wonderful book - so everyone was right.
And, if I had to say what it was about, I would probably say "loss" - and also "a goshawk" - which is fairly evident. I did not realise until after listening to it, that it is narrated by the author - which makes it even more special as she is (presumably) reading it exactly as she meant to write it - perfect.
- The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear
[read by Julie Teal]
I moved back to a Maisie Dobbs novel somewhat earlier in the series.
Although the books do revolve around Maisie's personal life as well
as the mystery plotline, I did not feel victim of any major spoilers.
It does seem to be a thing, though, that the murder victims are always
presented as highly sympathetic characters and you are regretful all
the way through that they are so definitively.... gone. I remember a
friend having trouble coping with Requiem for a Wren for the
same reason; (Nevil Shute - now there's an author I have not thought
about for a long time... and the friend... I haven't thought about him
for a long time either...) .
- Want You Gone by Christopher Brookmyre
[read by Avita Jay, and Angus King]
This is the latest (8th) book "starring" Jack Parlabane - and make no mistake - he is a star. Far from being stale, this book is very lively - very thrilling and very humorous.
It involved a lot of computer hacking and scamming techniques which I really enjoyed - proving the point (in spades) that it's people that are the weak link in any security system. - Unnatural Death, Strong Poison, and Have His Carcase
by Dorothy L Sayers [Dramatisation]
I downloaded this little collection of Lord Peter Wimsey plays to listen to at bedtime.
I found Unnatural Death a bit complicated to follow just before sleeping, but the other two I am well familiar with. As I had just seen a reprise of the TV adaptations, I know them almost backwards - and in fact to my surprise the scenes, plotting, and scripts seemed almost identical. With my eyes shut I could even will myself to imagine that it was Edward Petherbridge providing the dialogue rather than Ian Carmichael, so similar was the performance, even though previously I always thought Carmichael was a bit more over the top (don't ye know).
Posted on June 30, 2018 at 12:58 PM. Category: Books of the Month.
Sunday June 24, 2018
Historical Breaks
As well as time for an excursion on the Lakes we visited some National Trust properties on the way to and from Wooldfest.
Outbound it was a new one on me (and Alison as well, of course): Packwood House. Usually I travel a bit further than Warwick before finding a place to stop but ... I set off a little late and the driver was ready to mutiny due to hunger. As it was Packwood has a lovely garden where we ate our perfect picnic, featuring my underused picnic blanket, a shared Pimms (driving), and wonderful sunshine. The staff were particularly helpful and pleasant, but although we took a walk in the gardens, we didn't find time to go round the house as we were many miles from our destination.
On the way back, we stopped off at my old favourite: Little Moreton Hall. Here we did go around the delightful old building, and then sat in the blazingly hot sun in the garden, eating cheese scones and a cream tea. Highlights included a medieval parade and entertainment (involving small children and musical instruments), and astonishingly tame birds - a sparrow snatching my scone while I was actually eating it, and a duck snuggling up on my foot under our table throughout the dining experience.
Posted on June 24, 2018 at 8:39 AM. Category: Art and Culture.
Thursday June 21, 2018
Woolfest
Guess where I am.
OK I'll give you a clue:
My weekend in Cumbria took a different turn with Alison (at last) able to come with me. I don't think we bought that much - actually Alison may have done - quite a few kits as gifts for friends and relatives - plus I encouraged her to buy a Hooked by Design picture of seagulls for herself - I loved it but as I have done nothing with the sheep kit I bought last year I had to restrain myself! [I did finally manage to put the frame kit together in preparation - and now I'm guessing I will be loaning it to Alison before doing anything with it myself... ]. Alison was very smitten by the Teeswater sheep and even went as far as to buy a tiny amount of highly prepared fleece to spin - plus a more extravagant sheepskin rug for her new house. As for myself - I also made a fairly big purchase in that I ordered a new woollen duvet - to be shipped to me later.
We stayed at the Trout this year - more expensive than I am used to but more fun for the two of us. The weather was pretty fair and we spent the evenings drinking a pre-prandial gin (or two) by the river. We even went out on a boat trip on Saturday round Ullswater, (recommendation from a fellow guest at the hotel), before heading back into Woolfest for a couple more hours mooching.
Posted on June 21, 2018 at 11:15 PM. Category: Spinning, Dying, Weaving.
Wednesday June 13, 2018
De Morgan, Fashion, and Quiz
Today my sister and I had a Big Day Out in London.
We kicked off with what my sister was really interested in - seeing the De Morgan tiles exhibition, Sublime Symmetry at the Guildhall's art gallery in London. They were wonderful - just wanted to take some home of course - and exhibited alongside interesting information and artefacts from his life and work. While at the Guildhall we were also able to get access the Hall itself, and have a tour of the crypt.
We wandered out to lunch via Postman's Park - which has a Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice founded by Watts (he of the Watts Gallery where my sister volunteers) and with dedication plaques designed by De Morgan.
We then drifted on to the V&A to (drink lot of tea and) see Fashioned from Nature - making good use of my membership while I can.... The exhibition was about the use of organic objects (from dead birds to beetle wings) in fashion from early times, through to a more "green" way of thinking that influences (some) designers today.
Finally we went on to the theatre.
Quiz is a fun and popular show based on the "coughing Major" trial (where the Quiz in question is Who Wants to be a Millionaire), and we enjoyed it along with everyone else. The audience vote twice during the show to give a "verdict" - and we were duly manipulated to alter our votes in the way intended by the author. I was interested to read Chris Tarrant's newspaper articles about it in the Guardian - his point of view is quite clearly put.
Posted on June 13, 2018 at 7:39 PM. Category: Art and Culture.
Sunday June 10, 2018
Alabama Chanin
Quite some time ago, Alison gave me a "kit" to make myself one of these skirts from instructions in the well-known designer's book. We finally got together and I made my own stencil and started painting. Here I am continuing at home. The weather is really warm and I have carried on the theme to make a "tent dress". It's looking good, but slow going, so expect another entry in some months time showing the finished objects.
Posted on June 10, 2018 at 5:28 PM. Category: Friends.
Saturday June 9, 2018
Slimbridge and Bath
Today Rob and I went down to Bath to see Felicity's end of degree show at the University- it was lovely (she is very talented).
But before that... o my.... we went Slimbridge.
And thus began my attachment to flamingoes. I can't think how I never noticed them before... they are just wonderful! So very peculiar and ... pink...
Here follows a bunch of photos of "other birds" at Slimbridge...
But (did I say?) O... the flamingoes...
[I had to stop myself buying a fluffy toy from the shop.]
Posted on June 9, 2018 at 9:26 PM. Category: Days Out.
Thursday June 7, 2018
Trioperas
All I can say is... this was not at all what I was expecting.
And if I were to say the Wushi Lion Bull creature that featured in Carmen along with a keystone cops chase scene on trampolines were quite amusing - then I would have to tell you about the rest of it.
And the rest of it was pretty damned poor - not even bad enough to be funny. In truth I wanted my money back. The face value of my stalls seat was £59 which is staggering considering a comparison with the top price £64 stalls ticket for a seat to see Network at the National.
The hype for this "show" (where the intervals are - in this case fortunately - longer than the actual acts) beggars belief:
"A spectacular, high adrenaline, unforgettable journey of love, vengeance, tears and laughter."
Or possibly just tears of suppressed fury and hysteria at wasting my time and money.
Posted on June 7, 2018 at 5:27 PM. Category: Days Out.
