Garden in August

 

Although the Antirynums in the bedding border look fine in the photo above, they have been the least successful of all time. Straggly, falling over (now supported by props) and far too tall. Despite the fact that I gave them a chop over a month ago. Yes, they are colourful, thank goodness. But next year I think we might be back to dahlias.

The only colour in the main border is this delphinium "sky blue and white". I would have preferred a deeper colour, but at least it's flowering. 

The cosmos I grew from seed are nearly all tiny and white and not worth a photo. All except this maroon one in that tiny border next to the conservatory. Maybe it's sheltered and gets warmth from the wall? Try some more next year.

Next is the hydrangea macrophila that was given to Alison. On the plus side, it loves it in the sheltered spot next to the roses. (I thought hydrangeas were difficult to grow). The downside is that it is tucked away and difficult to see. Hey ho. 

Maybe the most extraordinary feature is this flower on the spring-flowering clematis montana. Just one flower.

The dianthus in pots seem to like the hot weather.

Next to the side patio, the echinacea and the verbena "lollipop" have survived.

At least a shrub in the main border is late flowering. This hibiscus is years old.

But the best flowers of all are the roses. As advised, they never get any water, and some are flowering on repeat.

The Lawn in August

 

The picture above was how the lawn looked in June. Then below is how it is today.

But it's not just our lawn. Even those large, immaculate front lawns at the end of Worlds End Lane are the same. We had a lot of rain at the beginning of June; my records show there was rain all morning on the 11th. But since then, only a very short shower on the 20th and a few spots one day in August that I didn't even bother to record. So basically two months without rain. There could be some next week, but I'm not holding my breath.

Piano recital at Tring Parish Church

 

Every month, on a Sunday afternoon, Tring Parish Church hosts a concert. Monika (who loves in Tring) joined Alison and me to listen to a selection of classical music performed by Alan Dorn. As you can see from the programme below, this is quite a selection of pieces with a theme of bells. Alan is a talented musician and teacher, and his performance was excellent. The grand piano was donated to the church some years ago and is a fine instrument.

Afterwards Alison and Monika stayed for a cup of tea while I had a tour of the church. I actually bumped into Alan Dorn, and we had a lovely conversation about the music. It turns out that his daughter is a film buff (especially old movies!). So that was nice.

A last note about the weather. Hot (31C) and sunny, and Alison said afterwards we should have gone in the car instead of a mile walk there and back from Monika's house. We will know next time.

The Super Six - Cygnets at Weston Turville Reservoir

 

My word, the cygnets have grown. Alison took these photos on her phone today at the end of our walk. Below is how they were at the end of May.

And then in June.

They are rarely on the bank at this end of the reservoir, so it was a real treat to see all six cygnets were fine.

And then watching them take to the water. Marvellous.

Movies at Home: Amarcord, The Infernal Macine and Or Man in Havana

 

Frederico Fellini's AMARCORD won the Oscar in 1974 for the best film in a foreign language. I don't know why. Some of the exterior cinematography was excellent; at times it almost looked as if it was captured in 3D. There was a carriage ride that was particularly exceptional. However, there is no plot, just a series of scenes from the life of a town. It starts at night with the inhabitants of the town gathering for a firework display. With a band. There are multiple characters, but it cuts from one domestic scene to another. Including multiple classrooms. The film does look great but that's it.

Fortunately, The Infernal Machine does have a story. It stars Guy Pearce as Bruce Cogburn, who is in just about every scene. He lives alone far from anywhere. Almost hiding, but from what? His claim to fame is that notorious book called The Infernal Machine. The fact that his book is to blame for a shooter killing thirteen people from a rooftop. He has no phone or TV. He has to drive to a phone box to make a call. So it's no surprise when he starts receiving letters from someone who knows more about the book than Bruce would like. 

Paranoia sets in as Bruce tries to figure out who is persecuting him. Alice Eve in a tiny role as a police officer is no help. Eventually we find out who is behind the letters and come to realise that he might know who actually wrote the book. All pretty unusual, but fortunately Pearce may be at a career high since his lead in Christopher Nolan's Memento. 

If only the 1959 film of Graham Greene's Our Man in Havana had been in colour. Then the sights of Cuba would have been exceptional. Greene has also adapted his own book and directed the film. I thought that his screenplay was brilliant. There is an amazing cast. Alec Guiness plays James Wormold, a vacumm cleaner retailer who somehow becomes a spy for the British secret service. His daughter Milly is seventeen and has expensive tastes. I thought Jo Morrow was perfect in the role. 

Then Noel Coward and Ralph Richardson play the spies who are impressed with the information gathered by Wormold. Even though it is all fake, including the vacuum cleaner adapted as military hardware. Add in the very attractive but serious and severe Maureen O'Hara as a secretary foisted on Wormold. But Wormaold is getting in too deep with the authorities, and his life is in peril. Will he survive that luncheon party? And who should turn up as a waiter but John Le Mesurier, who looks very suspicious but is not the real murderer. There is a subplot that involves the chief of police, who is after Milly. However, it all turns out well in what is a brilliant ending.

Carthanus tinctorous or safflower

 

Nestled within this bunch of sunflowers are these tiny spots of red. There is no mention on the packaging of what they are, and nothing on the M&S website. However, using PlantNet, I found they were safflower. Apparently one of the world's oldest crops, harvested for the vegetable oil from the seeds. Who knew?

Desert Island Discs - 70 Years of Castaways - The 1970's and 1980's

 

THE 1970's

The introduction was the best so far, a decade full of interest. In popular music there was glam rock, prog rock and punk. The UK joins the EEC in 1972, and then there are referendums on whether we should stay. Twice we said yes and a third time no. But the economy "slid into chaos" with inflation reaching 26.9% in 1975 and having to be rescued by the IMF.

Ivy Benson 16th October 1971 

I have to confess I have no memory of Ivy Benson, despite her forming a girls' band in the 1940's. Ivy was a very talented musician from an early age. Her band played at the Royal Opera House, which was a dance hall during the war. Ivy's favourite band was Count Basie. Hurrah! And while working in Hamburg, who did she meet? The Beatles, of course. 

Philip Larkin 17th July 1976

Larkin was a big jazz fan. His first choice was Dallas Blues, by Louis Armstrong.

THE 1980's

A mention at the beginning of the appearance on the show of royalty on three occasions. Princess Margaret (see below), Princess Grace of Monaco (1981 but not described in the book) and Princess Michael of Kent (1984). There is a mention in the introduction of the episode with Otto Preminger which shows what an awful man he was. 

Roy Plomley died suddenly of a heart attack on 28th May 1985. His last castaway was Sheila Steafal, which was recorded only seventeen days before. On 5th January 1986, Michael Parkinson took over and his first castaway was Alan Parker, the film director. Subsequent guests included violinst Nigel Kennedy and fashion designer Bruce Oldfield. Then only two years later, Parkinson is replaced by Sue Lawley.

HRH Princess Margaret 17th January 1981

A strange selection of record choices and an interview that was less than interesting.

Paul McCartney 30th January 1982

It was on the fortieth anniversary of the programme that the guest was the only Beatle to appear. McCartney tried to be funny but was just embarrassing.

Elton John  1st June 1986

My favourite interview is a precis of his life so far. His first band, success, and then burnout. And, of course, his love of Watford FC. One of his record choices was the Chuck Berry song 'Let It Rock' by The Rolling Stones. 

The next castaway in the book, but a year later, was ..... Robert Maxwell.

Kenneth Williams 26th July 1987

Twenty-six years after his last time on the programme (May 1961), Williams was here again

I skipped Arthur Scargill, obviously. Even though Sue Lawley is now the host. Also straight past Enoch Powell.

Alfred Wainwright 4th September 1988

It took long and protracted negotiations to get him on the programme. But it was worth it.

Diana Mosley 26th November 1989

One of the Mitford sisters, but it "was to become the most notorious episode in the history of Desert Island Discs". All because she was the wife of Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the party of British Fascists. Her appearance caused a major rumpus, with the programme being delayed more than once.