So that was 2011

Quite an eventful year:

20 February - my first half marathon in Brighton.  Chip time 2 hours 40 mins and 10 seconds.  13 miles is a long way to run and takes a few days to recover from but overall a positive experience and one I plan to repeat on 19 February next year.

Lawrence started his placement with Clifford French. Hopefully heralding a successful career in PR.

Svidrigailov joined our family as a skinny little kitten in May and now look at him.

St Dunstan's Llandudno went from concept to fully staffed centre.  Culminating for me in an invitation to the xmas party on 17 December.

5 March - first World Book Night.  Great concept with pretty rubbish admin.  Some of the people I gave Margaret Atwoods Blind Assassin to read it, others didn't.   

During April Adrian's longest running potential redundancy on record from Aviance at Heathrow finally happened.  A few weeks later he was offered a job back at Gatwick with Swissport.  Hopefully this one will last until he retires.

28 May - 5 June we went to the Hay Festival for the first time.  Another one to be repeated.

September - spent a week at Aarti's flat in Estepona relaxing and reading.  

30 October - Great South Run, Portsmouth.  Chip time 2 hours 4 mins.

2-5 December North Lees Hall to celebrate Phil's 50th with Melinda and Chris and Helen.  Pretty awful weather but lovely company and venue for a relaxing weekend.  I missed out on the cutlery museum and the lead mine on this trip so might go back again one of these days.

9 Hillside was the site of two successful parties during 2011, on 2 April to celebrate my great achievement in reaching the age of 50 and another on 9 December as the last ever St Dunstan's HR department xmas bash.

Here's to 2012 - an Olympic year.  I hope it's a good one!

Good old Endo

Work can sometimes be very, very frustrating and then you have a day off.  How aggravating then for Hotmail to block my account because they cant remember my new password.  I wouldn't have had to change my password in the first place if someone hadn't been able to hack my account and offer all my contacts products that those who don't know me very well might find a bit suspicious.

Anyway after a frustrating round of no email, laundry, shopping and more laundry I was feeling a bit fraught so I three caution to the wind and lycra to the legs and took off for a 5km run.  Thanks for joining me Endo, I really needed you today.

Bobotie recipe

As you can see from the dirt on the picture I've used this recipe lots of times since I acquired book in 1984.

I usually use more curry powder than listed and substitute dried apricot pieces for half of the raisins.

Come on Barbie Lets Go Party

The last ever St Dunstan's HR Dept Xmas Party is now only a collection of hangovers mostly in Sussex (East and West) but some scattered as far as London and North Wales.

At one point in the evening Barbie was chased by a gang of zombies.  Fortunately they were subdued by alcohol and various confectionary items so disaster was averted.

Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

 

I preferred her previous book 'Sister' to this one.  I found the point of view - the story is told like a conversation with her husband and I had to keep reminding myself who the 'you' was that she was referring to.  Apart from that it was readable.

Nutwood Cattery

Not wanting to leave the window open as an invitation to burglars for the weekend I looked around for somewhere for Svidrigailov to spend the weekend while we were at North Lees Hall.  Its his first time away from home and he was a little bewildered but seemed calm enough and took to the cat flap idea when some Dreamies were thrown through the hole.  When I collected him on Monday afternoon he was quite vocal about our reunion but had spend a very comfortable and warm few days in his little chalet.  I would thoroughly recommend Nutwood as a caring and safe environment for a cat requiring an inn.

North Lees hall

A late Elizabethan tower house built for WillIam Jessop in the early 1590s.  Charlotte Bronte visited in mid 1845 during a stay with a friend nearby.  She found the name Eyre comes here and her description of Mr Rochester’s Thornfield Hall is a rather accurate description of North Lees Hall complete with a mad woman who perished in a fire.

Fortunately the Hall now has central heating, electricity and running hot water although it retains the treacherous mode of elevation, a modern (but not very) replacement of an uneven wooden spiral staircase.  Derbyshire in December is a very cold place, it must have been very unpleasant here before these mod cons were available.

The trip here was uneventful apart from the usual Friday afternoon M25/M1 stop start traffic.  The aroma of a lovely monogrammed meat pie greeted us on arrival (see below) and a few glasses of wine got the party started.

The trip home however was a little more fraught as there was 4cm of snow on the car and thick ice on the road.  The first 5 miles of the journey were a nail biting slithering along narrow winding roads.  Fortunately Derbyshire's dry stone walls (and our car) survived.

Happy Birthday Phil.

I missed out on the Cutlery Museum and the underwater lead mine and spent Saturday stoking the fire and reading my book instead.  I braved the cold on Sunday to visit Buxton which would no doubt be lovely in the summer, or even in the winter on a sunny day but it is not at its best in the snow when you’ve lost your travelling companions and dont know how to read the map.  Fortunately good humour was restored by hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows.  Back to Hathersage via Bakewell where the difference between a Bakewell Tart and a Bakewell Pudding was revealed by the charming proprietor of the Bakewell Pudding Shop.  Back to North Lees Hall for a bit of a rest before the birthday dinner.

Baking - a labour of love?

Yes it is.  There is an awful lot of buggering about, lots of mess and fiddling about with ceramic baking beans.

As a distraction from The Town, a rather stupid film about bank robbers, I spend a happy couple of hours snipping (and rustling much to Adrian's chagrin) away at baking parchment to create the ideal environment for blind baking the pastry for these rustic looking chaps.

Tesco's delivered the ingredients around 9pm and fortunately I was still sober enough to complete the control batch before going to bed.  This group are from the follow up morning batch.

It is a pity that modern lives are too busy for this sort of laborious activity because it did provide a greater sense of satisfaction than I got from the sending threatening letters to old people who have failed to prove they are still alive.

I hope the recipients enjoy them and a happy thanksgiving is had by all.

Great South Picture

Great South Run 2011 - Made it!

Running is an interesting leisure activity.  It's not all that much fun when you are actually pounding the streets but the endorphins are rather addictive, along with the guilt free carb loading and the excuse to wear stretchy clothes in public (during and after events).

Great South Run 2011 - weather not quite as cool as I would have liked but the sight drizzle (and the run through shower) kept me cool.   Having expressed a goal of coming somewhere between 2:15 and being swept onto the pavement when the roads were opened I am pleased about coming home in 2:04 in 14856th position out of a field of 24,000 and 1059th position for my age group.   I did not enjoy the first half of mile 9 much, uphill (slightly it has to be admitted) and into quite a strong headwind but I was so close to the finish by then I was running on adrenalin.

The event is brilliantly organised (there can never be enough toilets) only gently inclines and downhill stretches and taking in the historic dockyard.  Part of the route is through a residential area and the local residents were lovely and supportive and some had put signs on their cars and in their gardens.  Live music seems to come up just when you need it most and good humour is the order of the day.

In fact I enjoyed it so much I immediately signed up for the Dublin 10K and by the end of today I will probably have signed up for the 2012 Great South.  Pictures to follow.

A day out with a dragon

 http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O75959/form-untitled/

 As the Star of the Week for good behaviour in class Mattie has been charged with responsibility for entertaining and protecting a little Welsh dragon named Derwu.  Here they are in the car park at West Ruislip at the start of an eventful day at the V&A in London.

On the Central Line Alison reties Mattie's shoelace while Derwu looks on.  I hadn't realised that children (and dragons) travel free on London Transport.  Money saved on transport and entrance to the museum was invested in lunch before the serious cultural events started.  Food was good value for money but don't be thirsty in the V&A £2.60 for a bottle of flavoured water ouch!

After lunch we went to the visitor centre to pick up a children's activity backpack and then it took us about an hour to find the room where the activities were based.  Very confusing building with impossible to read maps (not only for me) and helpful staff who recommended other exhibits on the way.  Here Georgie cuddles up to a pride of lions.

And Derwu gets in on the lion action too.  These are replicas of the 17th century silver lions commissioned to guard the Danish royal throne at Copenhagen.  Past the lions and through the Susan Davies gallery we headed for the performing arts area.

Where Georgie and Mattie both enjoyed the bird costume.

even Derwu got in on the act.

We eventually found our way into the glass gallery where the activity pack was based.  One of my favourite objects in glass is this group of men here.

The activities were good fun and nice and short for limited attention spans.  My favourite was the plastic replicas of objects that came with a blindfold.  With the blindfold on you feel the object and imagine what it looks like and then without the blindfold you have to find the object in one of the cases.  Even Alison had a go at that.

The last activity was to write a story inspired by one of the objects and Georgie wrote a really good story inspired by the object you can see behind her here (see larger picture below).  From her story I instantly remembered the object she was referring to.

And then the return journey.  We're all a bit tired by now but Derwu and her hat are still with us and the consensus seems to be that a good time was had by all.

17.10 from Euston

Travelling First Class is an interesting experience. Service at your seat, free wifi, antimacassars what more could you ask?  I'm not quite sure why the antimacassars.  Hair oil is not widely used these days and they offer no protection from transmission of head lice, something I have considered frequently as a possibility via upholstered public transport seats.   They must be some sort of throw back to an earlier age where their presence denotes social rank, airlines use them too presumably for the same reason.

I'm not in a quiet coach but it's mighty quiet in here.  It's also very sparsely populated.  There are 4 of us, 3 men and me spaced amongst 27 seats in coach E.

I wonder if any of my travelling companions have paid the full first class fare? I know I haven't.  Charities don't run to first class rail travel where a cheaper standard class is available.   The food is a bit strange offering a choice of beef casserole, something (I heard it repeated 4 times but didn't ever catch it and couldn't detect from the flavour) risotto which was presumably the veggie choice or an egg sandwich which I can only assume is left over from previous journeys.  As we boarded tea and coffee were served followed by the offer of a cold drink.  then the very small portion of casserole or risotto.  I didn't see the sandwich as nobody ordered it so I cant comment on its size,  the hot food was served in a very small oval dish and the risotto reminded me of the food served in the film Brazil. After finishing the hot food I was offered a tumbler of wine.  Presumably wine glasses are unsuited to rail travel.  The wine was predictably cheap but given that I didn't really pay for any of the catering (my first class ticket actually cost less than the combined price of a standard ticket plus wifi access which you get free in first class) I shouldn't complain.

How much more civilised and comfortable this is compared to flying.  Even in standard class you can get up and stretch your legs.  Its curious that in these times of economic crisis nobody has come up with an idea of great public works reversing the the chicanery of Lord Beeching.  Even the toilet on the train is useable as long as you don't forget to lock the door.  Should you wish to you could take your cat in there along with your Benny Goodman  CD.

I love trains and secretly yearn to travel up front with the driver to get the full experience.  Trains are so much more substantial than other forms of transport (apart from ocean liners).  Rail travel opened up the world in a way that the motor car and aeroplane can only really follow as an also ran.

Just coming in to Colwyn Bay, next stop Llandudno Junction so I better pack up and get ready to disembark.

Eight books, 3 kittens

Southern Spain is a very good antidote to an English summer.   7 days of glorious sunshine, reading, relaxing and even running (but not very far).

There are a lot of cats around the Costalita urbanisation including these three lovely big eared kittens.

They were not around for a few days during our stay and I wondered if they had been rounded up by the cat police but to my delight they were back again on the last day.







Fortunately there are no pictures of the running - so on to the books.

Very early McEwan (I think it is his first published).  Short and rather disturbing story in which bizarre and appalling acts are presented in a way that makes them almost natural

Even Adrian read and enjoyed this one.

Agatha Christies are the perfect holiday books.  Easy to read in a day, intriguing plots and lovely stylised characters.  I enjoyed both enormously.  

I tried Wolf Hall again on this holiday but didn't even get to page 225 this time (as I had the last time) before hurling it across the patio as I couldn't follow which character I was reading about.  I have no idea how this won the Booker Prize, all I can say is it must have been a very bad year.

So I borrowed this book from the emergency flat.  Big moral how to live your life in accordance with modern ecological principles.  Not much happens to not particularly interesting people.  I wouldn't have bothered but I was too lazy to get off the sunlounger to go inside and replace it.




Quite a good murder story the characters were interesting and believable except for the detectives.

Surely police officers cannot be the self absorbed, flawed characters portrayed here and still hold down responsible jobs and even be put forward for promotion.  I'm obviously not ready for post-feminism because wearing killer heels and having hair flopping over ones eyes just seems inappropriate and unprofessional to me.

The whole romantic storyline seemed a bit superfluous to me.  The basic plot was okay, the improbable subplot did nothing to enhance the story.

I remember seeing the John Thaw version of this on TV but it didn't spoil the book for me even though the dramatisation is very faithful to Dexter's story.









I bought this in a hurry at the St Catherine's Hospice shop in Horsham while I was waiting for a nail appointment.

I suppose all crime writing challenges probability but the villain in this one seemed obsessed with revenge to a degree that went a bit too far.  The heroine, an unconventional woman who does not conform to societal norms however has managed to conform enough to obtain a law degree and hold down a job as a solicitor.  I did not find this combination of characteristics convincing.   However, I enjoyed the story and it transported me convincingly to the slightly seedy Norfolk seaside town.




The eighth book (if you exclude Wolf Hall which I didn't finish) doesn't really count as I bought it at Malaga airport on the way home.  Limited choice of english books in a Spanish airport but I am enjoying Call The Dying and hadn't come across Andrew Taylor before.

Why do airports sell giant Toblerones?

Why is it that airports offer a load of rubbish that nobody wants to buy but they don't sell the sorts of things you might actually need?

Wardrobe planning failure meant I had to wear white trousers with cotton gusset pantyhose underneath (even less comfortable and attractive than it sounds).  No problem I thought, I'll buy a pair of plain white or beige pants at Gatwick.

Not one of the multitude of shops in the North Terminal sells functional ladies underwear.  I could have bought an Olympic branded teddy bear, any amount of perfume, raffle tickets for a luxury car, a computer, binoculars, running gear (who does that on holiday?), luggage (bit late after checkin you would have thought), a giant Toblerone - but no simple underwear.

What I want to know is who actually buys anything at these shops?  Even with a flight delay of 8 hours last year I wasn't tempted.

It seems to me that the luxury and mystery of air travel is very much a thing of the past, when will airport retailer planners catch up?  Most of my fellow travellers looked as though they would be more at home in Poundland than Harrods.

No meer cat

Indignant Svidrigailov of Horsham looks on in amazement as an interloper leaves through the dining room window following a raid on his food

Toad-in-the-Hole

I've always found the Yorkshire pudding resistant to my culinary endeavours but after many years I have finally produced an edible one.

Antony Worrall Thompson's 6 egg recipe on the BBC website was chosen over James Martin's 8 egg one and I was so amazed I took a picture.

Unfortunately the secret ingredient turns out to be LARD so I think this is going to have to be a flash-in-the-pan.  I didn't even use vegetarian hard fat but actual lard.

RIP Keith Lancaster

Being at a golf club & hotel complex a few miles outside Durham before 5pm in the evening between reunions it was too early for bed by hours and too early for golf by years so Kate and I decided to hit Durham city for a bit of sightseeing and light refreshment.  A short tour of the cathedral and tomb of the Venerable Bede followed by a stroll along the river made us quite thirsty so we decided to visit the pub not recommended by Barry who had told us the beer was good.
It always comes as a surprise to southerners that northerners are spontaneously friendly.  At first you look over your shoulder to see who the barmaid is talking to, then you suspect that she is trying something on although its not quite clear what that might be.  Anyway armed with the full quota of change and two regulation measured drinks we took a seat in the sparsely decorated and poorly lit upper section of the pub beside five other patrons who were clearly not on their first drink of the day.
Having survived the benign friendliness of the barmaid we were cool but did not snub their quite undisguised overtures of friendliness, comments and stares and they turned into several concurrent conversations that were almost impossible to join as all five seemed to be talking at once to more than one person at a time.
They told us they had been at a funeral of an obviously dearly beloved friend the eponymous Keith Lancaster, who lost his fight against cystic fibrosis a week earlier at the age of 46, and had been cremated that morning.  Keith it seems had left £200 for the express purpose of their having a drink on him after his funeral and they had taken up this challenge with enthusiasm.
How sad it is that my first instinct was to disbelieve and suspect that somehow I was at risk, I was going to be conned or taken for a ride, without any concrete reason for that reaction.   And I think it's because I spend too much time in the company of the sort of selfish souls who proudly announce that they rush up an empty lane of traffic and push their way into a patient queue.  Sharp elbowed colleagues who happily ascend the slippery pole of success at the expense of others.
I went out for a drink in Durham to pass the time but got so much more from the experience.  Rest In Peace Keith, I don't know anything about you and your achievements other than that you were certainly esteemed by your friends and that's something of real value.

Beside the Seaside

I'm sitting on the terrace of the Imperial Hotel in Llandudno watching a plump, bespectacled lady in co-ordinating turquoise polyester, fitting comfortably within Llandudno's transient demographic she is chain smoking her 4th cigarette in this batch and its 9.15 am.  She seems to be struggling for breath in between bouts of coughing but is pressing on regardless.  This does not look like a pleasurable or glamorous activity.  Across the road a smattering of visitors promenade between the Orms some dressed for the weather, others for the date. 

Being in Llandudno is a bit like being outside yourself for a break.  It's just so unlike any of the places I frequently visit.  An attractive town caught in a time zone it always reminds me of Sunday School outings of the mid 1960's.

I've been here for 2 nights and will be escaping back to the 21st century later this morning.  I'm breakfasting alone looking out over the prom and enjoying a cup of tea.  It's a little strong so I looked into the pot (see left) 5 teabags!  

Wales has its highlights too.  Supertemps treated Di, Mark, Stacy and I to a lovely lunch at Osborne House.  The restaurant was charming and the food very good.  It is a B&B with very much hotel prices for accommodation but the restaurant prices seemed very reasonable.

And although the service and cleanliness of the local Weatherspoon is much the same as all of their branches the Llandudno one is worth a visit to see how they have converted an old theatre - it's amazing and completely wasted on a Weatherspoon.  Go in the stage door and keep going out the other side to another venue for a drink but do go in.

Fiela's Child

This was to be the July Ickenham Youth Football team Book Club choice but the meeting was cancelled, partly due to lack of interest.   I think I might be the only person who actually read it.

It started quite promisingly and up to about half way through it maintained my interest.  Being the product of an unbroken home and knowing who my family are might put me at a disadvantage in understanding the angst of the main protagonist.  I can't help thinking as well that it was a little naive about the issues associated with an unofficial, inter racial adoption in South Africa at a time of apartheid.  The story would have worked better for me if the characters had been more rounded with more internal struggle between the dark and light elements of human nature.

The Satanic Verses

I downloaded this from Audible to listen on my journey between work and home.  It's quite a confusing story as it seems to drift between dreams and rather improbable reality without clearly indicating the boundaries between the two.  It seems to dart about in time too.  After listening all the way through I still hadn't got all the characters sorted out in my head and remained confused so I've started again.  This may be a book that you have to read twice as I am really enjoying it the second time around and as I'm now aware that all is not what it seems I'm finding it much easier to follow.

The one thing that still puzzles me, and I hope to understand when I finish my second reading, is why it is so much more offensive than any other work of fiction.  Perhaps I have missed many other fatwas or if could be because of my ignorance of Islam and its associated culture.  I can see that it could be interpreted in an insulting way, although I have not chosen this inerpretation myself,  but I really don't, yet, find any justification for the order to take Rushdie's life.

The other unexpected element of this work is how funny it is.  I wasn't expecting that.

Svidrigailov

jk 

Walking for Blind Heros

Two years ago the first Seaside Saunter took place on a lovely sunny day.  A lovely walk along the seafront in Brighton followed by refreshments on the lawn between a lovely band and various stalls and activities.   Oh how different today's event was, all due to the poxy English weather.  Too windy for the marquee, the band had to be cancelled and the walk was more of an endurance event than a pleasant stroll.  Still a small band of dedicated walkers turned out and walked, ate the cake and drank the tea.

Putting that moan into perspective the Saunter co-incided with a much more ambitious event, 100km walk from London to Brighton.  About 200 walkers including Maureen Smith from the HR dept of St Dunstan's set off from Richmond yesterday.  Quite a number were unable to complete the whole route, but not Maureen.  Just to put this distance into perspective, its like two marathons with a 10 miler between them ALL ON THE SAME DAY.   There were some very sore feet and legs holding up very tired bodies arriving at Ovingdean on Sunday.

The murder victim's Penelope Pitstop

I bought this book not expecting a great literary work and I was not disappointed on that score.  Predictable holiday page turner.  The sort of book I would love to be able to write myself.

I hadn't thought I was a Prude

I met a lovely lady in the queue for Howard Jacobson's autograph at Hay and we got talking (as you do at Hay) about books we were reading.  I admitted rather shamefully that I bought this book along with a copy of Patricia Cornwell's Port Mortuary on a two for £7.99 deal at Sainsbury's in Hereford as I couldn't go any further than page 411 (of 728) of Orhan Pamuk's The Museum of Innocence.  I still haven't finished that one as my new friend advised me that nothing ever does happen.

I've read Val McDermid in the past and enjoyed her storytelling and plot construction but the back story of this one left me wondering whether I was a bit prudish about lesbianism.  It seemed a little to me to have so much incidental reference to gay issues as to make it read like a 'recently emerged from the closet' work.   And, for me, those references added nothing to what was exactly the escape into a world of intrigue and problem solving I was looking for.

In conclusion I can say is that a lot happens in this book, and I finished it within 36 hours of purchase.

Early Start - Late Finish. A busy day at Hay

Rolf Heuer talks to John Snow

One of the advantages of booking lots of tickets a long time before an event is that by the time you get there you have forgotten what you are about to enjoy (or endure).  I had forgotten completely who Rolf Heuer but was looking forward to John Snow anyway.  As soon as the event started I knew I'd picked a winner.  Heuer is the Director-General of CERN in Switzerland and gave a lively and interesting view of the LHC (large Hadron collider) which may not be what anyone was expecting from a German particle physicist.    I particularly enjoyed the way he dealt with fatuous questions from the audience.  One being the suggestion that there was some connection between the LHC and the earthquake in Japan, there isn't.  Another asked if he went to church, dismissed as a personal question and a third regarding religion that I can't recall fully but was introduced as 'it being Sunday' although it wasn't.

Mansoura Ez Eldin, Kamel Riahi and Youseff Rakha talke to Ariane Koek

It wasn't clear until we got into the tent whether the three writers were in Hay or in Cairo.  We were given radio headsets with instructions about which channel to tune into and told that the event was broadcast from Egypt in Arabic with English simultaneous translation.  This technological element was challenging for the volunteer stewards who I suspect would have been much more comfortable explaining how a deck chair is erected.

Once we were in the tent we discovered the three writers were there in person along with the interviewer.  Youseff Rakha is fluent in English and Arabic and his parts of the event were interesting and informative.  The other two writers were not sufficiently confident with English to answer questions and made use of the translator who sat in a little black shed to the left of the stage.  Unfortunately the translation didn't seem very good as his translation was very much shorter than the material he was translating even though he had quite a pronounced stammer.  I suspect it was rather a disappointing event for the three writers and they may well have concluded that their English would have been a more effective tool with which to engage with the audience.

Howard Jacobson - The Finkler Question

At the other end of the communication spectrum came Howard Jacobson. Winning the Booker Prize after a writing career spanning many years was obviously greatly appreciated, and quite rightly so.  He read a very moving extract from the book which I understand (from a comment he made at the book signing afterwards) that he added extra sentences in for this performance.  It hadn't ever occurred to me that a writer might do that, of course they have every right to do so as it's their own words they are playing fast and loose with.

Jacobson describes himself as the male Jane Austen and prefers the 19th century novel to those of the 20th century, particularly Dickens although he made an exception for Lawrence.  I agreed up to this point as I find Lawrence a bit boring but will give Sons and Lovers another go, but how could anyone not like Graham Greene?

There was a very long queue for the book signing and it gave the opportunity to chat to some lovely people.  There isn't very much interaction between visitors to Hay which is a pity as the people I did get to speak to were quite charming, particularly the lady who agreed with me that more or less 'nothing happens' in a book we had both read recently.

Philip Pullman - The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ

The length of the queue for Howard Jacobson's signature made me a bit late for this so I missed the beginning and had to sit on the side quite a long way back.

A much more serious man than other writers at Hay, even the scientific ones.  The way he expresses himself suggests to me that he is rather less concerned about whether readers agree with, or like him, than many other writers.  Thoughtful and outspoken Pullman strikes me as a man with integrity happy to share his views and opinions which some people find radical.





David Wengrow - What Makes Civilization

This was quite scholarly and intense for a late evening session.  In common with many academics Wengrow was publicly scathing of rival historians and commented that he had no 'killer apps'.  You certainly got the impression that history on TV is not for the serious.

However his lecture, it was a lecture, was very interesting and contradicted some of the received wisdom of European preferences.

A Little War - a Lot of Fiction

David Edgerton - Britain's War Machine

Received wisdom of much WWII history is challenged and compelling evidence is brought to support the position taken in this interesting work that confronts the common myth of Britain as the 'plucky underdog' coming from behind and triumphing, against all odds, over an unstoppable enemy.

Official government documents show that imports of fuel doubled during the war, imports of meat reduced by 25%, not the 50% commonly quoted and many foodstuffs were not rationed at all.  Workers in war effort industries were provided with canteens where all food supplied was off rations.  Food to the armed forces was not subject to any rationing.  A similar picture is painted about the military supplies of hardware including tanks, rifles, aircraft etc.  The idea that everything was left behind on the beaches at Dunkirk is not supported by the evidence offered by Edgerton.

A member of the audience asked about the colonial troops, all volunteers, including 2 million from India.  -  It may be just about time to attempt a more objective point of view about WWII and this book seems to be attempting that.  Official history written in the late 40's doesn't really include the colonial troops and I speculate that this may be the source of some of the xenophobia and anti immigrant attitudes of some Britons.



Phil Rickman - Midwinter of the Spirit

Not really the type of book I would usually chose but I might just give it a go after hearing the author speak about it and do a reading.














Belinda Bauer - Darkside

Her second novel following the fantastic success of Blacklandswhich I enjoyed very much.  I've pre-ordered this from Amazon as its not yet out in paperback.

Obviously the part where she actually wrote the first book required much more than luck but Belinda Bauer described how she had been astonishingly lucky to get an agent and a 2 book deal following her entry into a literary competition (that she didn't win).  Then some duffer in the audience asked a very long winded statement that eventually turned into a question about how to self publish - you wonder why some people bother to maintain their ears.




Elly Griffiths - The Crossing Places

A rather un-Haylike welcome bit of glamour under canvas was provided by Elly Griffiths who's real name is Domenica de Rosa and she uses this name for another genre of her writing.










Alexander McCall Smith - The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party

Interviewed by Anne Robinson who called him what sounded like Sandy throughout the interview although never gave any explanation for this.  A very funny man who must be a nightmare to interview as its not clear where the line is between truth and comedy.  He apparently quite seriously suggested that pushy mothers are a serious problem in Glasgow.  Anne Robinson's deadpan delivery was a peculiar foil for this rather mercurial character.  Fortunately she didn't (or couldn't) overshadow him.

Dan Cruikshank to Dara O'Briain via Some Science

Dan Cruikshank is a secret British treasure.  His delivery is idiosyncratic to say the least but his enthusiasm for architecture is so infectious he could take you on a journey through the sheds of Birmingham and it would probably be enthralling.

Favourite quote of the event 'is anyone in control of this?' he seemed happy to just keep on talking although the stewards did shut him up after the allotted 60 minutes.

In an utterly charming way he pointed out that although there are great houses open to the public such as Blenheim, Petworth, Chatsworth, there are also great houses of architectural merit that face possible demolition to make way for new houses unless individuals or organisations of means step in with viable plans to save them.  He made an interesting point about how the separation of great houses from  their land, a not uncommon practice, can decrease the likelihood of saving the house in the medium or long term.


Incoming! Or, Why We Should Stop Worrying and Learn to Love the Meteorite - Ted Nield

The science one is fed on TV and in the popular press really has a lot to answer for in creating widespread hysteria and panelic theory.  Relax, the likelihood of another event that might cause mass extinction as happened 65 million years ago is really very very remote.  To do that much damage it needs to be in conjunction with another major cataclysmic even such as long term, and massive,.   volcanic eruption.

It makes me wish I had paid more attention at school when I realise the directions open to those who do.  The science profs at Hay are fascinating and thought provoking, the major appeal being in their supporting their theories with evidence and reasoning.

Ted Neild brought along a large lump of meteorite that had been sent to him in the post.  I will always regret not having asked if I could have a go of it as I'm sure he would have agreed.  maybe next time.  We booked this one at the last minute because there was a big gap between events and it turned out to be one of my favourites.


Peter Atkins - On Being A Scientist’s Exploration of the Great Questions of Existence.

Another Oxford don provides a though provoking presentation arguing that scientific reasoning can be used to answer any question including those most difficult questions about existence and religion.  Once again the audience audience questions illustrated how ignorant people can be.  He asked Atkins to use his method to explain altruistic love which of course posed no problem to the don but did make the inquisitor look a bit foolish.  There seems little point in attempting to crush many years of argument practice by the application of a spot of Daily Mail bravado.  I suppose I should admire those who have the nerve to ask such fatuous questions but I do feel that better value for money would be had by extending the speaking elements of the events and shortening the time available for questions.


Dara O'Briain - was very funny.

There had to be one duffer

Michael Brooks - 13 Things That Don't Make Sense

An insect crawled up the right leg of my trousers at the beginning of this event and rather annoyingly bit me so I was slightly distracted for a few mins.

Not sure I agree with him on the Free Will thing but his argument that sexual reproduction is not very efficient seemed to make sense.  And he had some very interesting thoughts on the placebo effect.






Roy Hattersley - David Lloyd George:  The Great Outsider

The main argument seemed to be that public opinion about Lloyd George is so clouded by the consequences of the flaws in his character that he is generally not remembered for the few but significant ways in which he influenced British society.  Apparently he was responsible for the National Insurance Bill that introduced old age pensions to Britain and was the forerunner of the NHS and Social Security payments.

He also argued that social mobility was starting to be seen in British politics an argument with which Adrian strongly disagrees.  I need to examine the evidence before making up my mind.

NEF DEBATE 3: WHAT IF A 21-HOUR WORKING WEEK BECAME THE NORM?

We were in agreement on this shambles and so too were some other members of the audience who muttered as much as we left the Elmlea tent.   I booked for this event because of my interest in the subject but tragically, in my opinion, the cause of reducing the working week will be hindered rather than helped by this bunch.  Enough said.

Revolution, evolution, dissolution

Meghnad Desai - The Rediscovery of India

Desia's speech pattern took a little while for me to tune into so I missed some of the early comments whilst readjusting my receptors.  That old colonial temptation to resist anything other than a British regional accent had to be resisted.  And it was worth the effort.  An interesting point was made about how a bus driver in Sweden earns 50 multiples of the pay of  bus driver in India, even though the driving conditions in Sweden are so much more favourable.  He also pointed out that India's growing economy need not falter in the way of the more developed nations who now have ageing populations.  India may also have the edge over China as it pays for the 'one child' policy.
the tune out and



The Book Show - Mariella Frostrup
Sky is a very slick organisation.  The audience were thanked for attending, each given a horrible canvas bag containing a book mark and given instruction in applause.  Mariella's delivery was professional and precise but she was also warm and engaged the audience.  Very skilled all round.  Interesting guests included the ubiquitous Brian Cox, Henning Mankell talking about his new Wallander story after a 10 year rest from the character and Mark Logue talking about the book of The King's Speech.


Ha Joon Chang - 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism

Serious message delivered in a humerous and light hearted way.  Best illustrated by one of the 'things' being how the washing machine has had a bigger impact on society than the internet.

Chang, a Korean national who has lived in the UK for many years, has the sort of perky charm that makes you listen.  A good foil I should think for the stuffy, boring tweed jacketed type of lecturer.





Tristram Hunt

Interesting content about the English Civil War which is never referred to as a revolution.  Disappointing delivery with limited eye contact with the audience.  Political deflection of questions.

From Marx to Pericles

Eric Hobsbawn talks to Tristram Hunt

The 93 year old Hobsbawm was eloquent and incisive.  His ideas, which would be feared as radical by many, were expressed in a calm manner backed up with evidence.  I found him quite convincing.  Her certainly convinced me to consider buying his book although he did say 'it's not a page turner, its a bit academic'.

The questions caused some reaction from the audience.  One a statement so long and irrelevant that when it finally turned into a question caused the audience to applaud.  Other questions were manipulated and edited by Hunt who didn't want David Cameron and his party to have the last say.


The Hemlock Cup:  Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life

Anyone who ends their lecture exhorting the audience to raise a glass of wine, whatever the toast, gets my vote.  Even more so when the subject of the toast is Socrates.

Bettany's infectious enthusiasm for her subject is a delight to experience.  She spoke at around 140 wpm for a solid hour so that there was no time for questions.  We followed to the bookshop afterwards but because the queue was so long, and slightly hostile, we went to sort out the toast instead.

Will try for a signed copy tomorrow.

My First Time

Wonders of the Universe

First time at Hay and started with the big bang media superstar that is Brian Cox.  He is even more personable and engaging live than he is on TV.  Just the shot in the arm that science needs but it may be a too little too late for the complacent kids of the UK.  Science is hard work and keeping up with the flow of conversation (dumbed down for ordinary folk) was a feat of concentration.






From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

The other event on our first trip was the two person show of Sandy Toksvig and Sue Perkins.  We were not sure what to expect and it would appear that neither did they.  Apparently the show they had planned takes up to 2 hours - an hour or so to gather info from the audience, 20 mins to sort it out and then deliver a lecture on the info gathered.  But each of the Hay sessions is only 60 minutes so they had to dispense with the planning bit in the middle and condense the other bits.  It was remarkably well executed and by far the best piece of info from the audience (and winner of a case of Cava) was one lady's knowledge of the weight of 1inch of rain per acre (113.31 tons - I Googled it).

Heracles to Alexander the Great

Taking a holiday in England is not a sunscreen and shorts affair but it does have the advantage of supplying lots of interesting things to see.  The Ashmolean is currently hosting an exhibition of treasures from the royal capital of Macedon including two astonishingly preserved diadems one in the style of a wreath of oak leaves and acorns (that look more like mini hand grenades to me) the other a mass of myrtle leaves and flowers.  Both utterly stunning.

This was my first visit to the Ashmolean but I will certainly visit again to see the permanent collection if the opportunity arises and I would urge anyone else to.  Its a manageable size packed with amazing objects and in common with other UK museums there is no charge to see the permanent collection.

However, NB the nearest parking is £6.50 for up to 2 hours so be warned.  There is a Park 'n Ride in Oxford and if you can spar the time its a good idea to use it.

Why do the English go outdoors?

As a nation the English are obsessed with the weather.  With good cause it would seem as it is so variable and, mostly, unpleasant.  After years of endless conversations about sudden onset of rain and experience of short spells of warm sunshine sandwiched between prolonged periods of wind, rain and low temperatures why are there still outdoor performances of dramatic works?

On a warm, sunny evening with a slight 2mph breeze, a picnic in a Brighton cemetery followed by a performance of Shakespeare's As You Like It would be idyllic.  The reality however is 20mph wind, half a picnic due to Adrian's late appearance with the rest and a downfall of rain just as the play started.  Fortunately English actors are as stoic as the audience.  Anywhere else in the world the performance would have been abandoned but it being England everyone ignored the rain an it eventually stopped.

The New World Order - Harold Pinter

Melinda and I went to see this promenade play, or more accurately although I didn't realise at the time, 5 short plays, at the Brighton Town Hall.  Brilliant venue for this as it really lent itself to the drama and sinister nature of the work.

As we waited outside beside two sleek dobermans tethered to a security guard wearing dark glasses we were handed a leaflet by what we thought was a passer by.  Both turned out to be part of the play, the leaflet distributor turned out to be the leading man and victim of state initiatives implemented to modify citizen behaviour.  One of the dogs savaged another actor during the performance.  Although this was of course not seen it was all the more sinister for the audience having seen the dogs earlier.

An astonishing work that made you feel like a reluctant voyeur and afterwards I felt a little uncomfortable about my response to some of the action.  The automatic wish to turn a blind eye and to not rock the boat made me feel slightly ashamed.  That may be the response Pinter was aiming for.

Although not a laugh a minute I would recommend this thought provoking drama to anyone brave enough to test their own responses to repression.

Cass Foundation Sculpture Park at Goodwood

pharus by charlotte mayer 2000

untitled by paul neagu 1997

marriage by rob ward 2009

ace of diamonds V by lynn chadwick 2004

singer of tales by jon isherwood 2010

host by peter burke 2003

fish on a bicycle by steven gregory 2005

wolf by sally matthews 2000

endeavour by bill woodrow 2005

endeavour (detail) by bill woodrow 2005

fallen deodar by jilly sutton 2008

Finally took Melinda's advice and visited the sculpture park at Goodwood this afternoon.  In spite of the cool windy weather that forced us to wear our waterproofs to protect us from the wind we followed the trail along without about 4 other visitors.  Recommend to anyone who enjoys sculpture.  Only wish I had £45,000 to buy my favourite one.

11 for 3

Using up 3 days holiday to get 11 days off thanks to Willy Wales turned out to be a welcome break without going near a motorway.  Financial prudence prevented last minute attempts to travel abroad and this turned out to be the right decision as the weather in Horsham was glorious.  After a week of sunshine I bought a sun lounger which I am hoping I will need to get out of the box before next winter.

Nevertheless I am not complaining because I did manage to engage in my favourite holiday pastime of a little light reading.  After a short while I abandoned The Lacuna (Barbara Kingsolver) at page 164.  I loved her previous book, The Poisonwood Bible, and on the strength of that I bought this one with my xmas book tokens but found the Mexican protagonists in this work a bit too wooden for my taste.  I will try again later in my life and will no doubt enjoy it then.

The Lacuna was just no competition (for me) for The Quiet American, a birthday gift from Marguerite.  I love Graham Greene's work and he does not disappoint here.  Spectacularly simple and extraordinarily dense at the same time.  It's impossible to resist reading it in a sitting and very hard to resist reading again as I pick it up to look at the cover now.

Next was Sister loaned by Alison.  Debut crime fiction novel about two sisters whose lives have taken very different directions.  The murder of one sister in Hyde Park brings the other back from New York.

Rosamund Lupton's second novel, Afterwards, is to be published on 9 June, I enjoyed Sister enough to try this one with a mother and daughter theme next.  I hope it doesn't disappoint.

And Then There Were None

This is an improbably good read.  It shouldn't work but it does.

10 strangers, coerced onto an island with no means of escape die one by one mirrored by the breakage, one by one, of a set of ceramic soldiers.  The plot is a truly ingenious and doesn't flag even though you know what to expect from page 57.  All loose ends tied up in the epilogue so you can stop reading and make up your own mind if you prefer.

Agatha Christie rocks!