The mini daffodils are out early this year. The snowdrops are still going strong, most are under the trees at the back.
Thursday, 22 February 2007
Monday, 19 February 2007
Venus, Bood Diamond and Notes on a Scandal
Three brilliant films, and not one set in America. They have changed my mind about what was my preference for movies set in the USA. I have always enjoyed the different settings for these films, whether it be in a city or in some remote wilderness, the landscape across the country is so varied. But these three films, along with the others I have seen recently (Babel, Black Book and Apocalypto) are all set in different countries, and have all been great. The only disappointment this year so far, has been Night in the Museum - set in New York. The only interesting bit was the sequence in Central Park and picking out the San Remo Apartments I recognised from the Manhattan Scrapers book that Michael gave me for Christmas.
All the acting in Venus was very special. A lot must go down to the director Roger Michell and the writer Hanif Kureishi whose name I did not recognise. But he had collaborated before with the same director for the film "The Mother" and turns out he wrote the screenplay for one of my favourite films "My Beautiful Laundrette. As the BBC website puts it, "a veteran purveyor of suburban misanthropy".
I also thought that the writing carried Notes on a Scandal. I thought that Patrick Marber's screenplay for "Closer" was very disappointing. Especially after seeing his wonderful version of Strindberg in "After Miss Julie". But here he was on top form, and the film held my attention for every second.
I did not expect too much from Blood Diamond, but it turned out to be a good thriller. A bit too much gratuitous violence ( coming from someone who loves horror films), but the plot development was highly satisfactory. The message seemed a little lost now that Sierra Leone is at peace.
All the acting in Venus was very special. A lot must go down to the director Roger Michell and the writer Hanif Kureishi whose name I did not recognise. But he had collaborated before with the same director for the film "The Mother" and turns out he wrote the screenplay for one of my favourite films "My Beautiful Laundrette. As the BBC website puts it, "a veteran purveyor of suburban misanthropy".
I also thought that the writing carried Notes on a Scandal. I thought that Patrick Marber's screenplay for "Closer" was very disappointing. Especially after seeing his wonderful version of Strindberg in "After Miss Julie". But here he was on top form, and the film held my attention for every second.
I did not expect too much from Blood Diamond, but it turned out to be a good thriller. A bit too much gratuitous violence ( coming from someone who loves horror films), but the plot development was highly satisfactory. The message seemed a little lost now that Sierra Leone is at peace.
The Best Things about Retirement Part 1 - Following the Weather
I have already found that it is best to be flexible when it comes to what I want to do in the week. This is because it depends a lot on the weather. For instance, last Monday was pretty wet all day, so I ended up clearing the loft of all the bits of carpet and vinyl that we kept "just in case". Some of these were the ends of carpets and flooring that have already been replaced. The car was quite full by the time I headed for the tip. The new computer arrived in the morning, so although it was nice to unpack all the bits, without a desk, it has not yet been turned on.
And then the next day was sunny with clear blue skies. So it was off to Marsworth for a walk around the reservoirs and canals. I took it easy so as not to be too tired for my swim on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, it was warm enough to sit in the conservatory and finish Alan Bennett's "Untold Stories", and later wash the cars and clearing debris from the lawn and under the trees. It is great to be out in the garden in the middle of February. I have found that I prefer to be outside than in, but I have to ensure that I keep up my writing and get the brain ticking over.
And then the next day was sunny with clear blue skies. So it was off to Marsworth for a walk around the reservoirs and canals. I took it easy so as not to be too tired for my swim on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, it was warm enough to sit in the conservatory and finish Alan Bennett's "Untold Stories", and later wash the cars and clearing debris from the lawn and under the trees. It is great to be out in the garden in the middle of February. I have found that I prefer to be outside than in, but I have to ensure that I keep up my writing and get the brain ticking over.
Friday, 9 February 2007
Pink Floyd and ROCK'N'ROLL
I have never really been a fan of Pink Floyd. I quite liked some of the early stuff, "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play". I caught up with them when the brilliant "Another Brick in the Wall" hit the charts, but that was it. The rest just seemed like a pretty weird noise.
Then something happened to change my mind. In August last year, I went to see a new play by Tom Stoppard called "Rocknroll". Set in Czechoslovakia and Cambridge, it revolves around the Czech revolution with references to The Plastic People of the Universe playing in Prague and Syd Barrett living his final years in Cambridge. The scenes are punctuated by extracts from 18 songs from Syd Barrett's "Golden Hair" to the Rolling Stone's "Its All Over Now". But the ones that made the biggest impression were the five from Pink Floyd including "Wish You Were Here". How can I have missed such a great piece of work.
So for Christmas I asked for their compilation "Echoes". Whilst there are some tracks that are not exactly to my taste, and some seemed just like wallpaper music, there were some blinding flashes that go to the heart. My preference for listening to music is in the car. It is only here that I occasionally hear something that has an actual physical impact, usually a tingling sensation somewhere in the brain. This certainly happened with "Wish You Were Here" and "Shine on you Crazy Diamond".
It also happened listening to another two albums I received over Christmas. "You Do" by Aimee Mann from the album "Bachelor No 2" was the stand out track. Not so much on any of the individual songs on "All the Road Running" by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris, but just a succession of wonderful tracks. I can remember the odd song from Alison Krauss did it, a couple from Thea Gilmore on her latest album "Harpo's Ghost", every time I hear "Brothers in Arms" and recently Sandy Denny's "Who knows where the time goes" and "Solo". A good few years ago, driving home on a Friday evening, I can remember Johnny Walker playing the whole live version of "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, all 13 minutes and eleven seconds, and buying the double LP just to get this track. Radio 2 is now just not the same.
Then something happened to change my mind. In August last year, I went to see a new play by Tom Stoppard called "Rocknroll". Set in Czechoslovakia and Cambridge, it revolves around the Czech revolution with references to The Plastic People of the Universe playing in Prague and Syd Barrett living his final years in Cambridge. The scenes are punctuated by extracts from 18 songs from Syd Barrett's "Golden Hair" to the Rolling Stone's "Its All Over Now". But the ones that made the biggest impression were the five from Pink Floyd including "Wish You Were Here". How can I have missed such a great piece of work.
So for Christmas I asked for their compilation "Echoes". Whilst there are some tracks that are not exactly to my taste, and some seemed just like wallpaper music, there were some blinding flashes that go to the heart. My preference for listening to music is in the car. It is only here that I occasionally hear something that has an actual physical impact, usually a tingling sensation somewhere in the brain. This certainly happened with "Wish You Were Here" and "Shine on you Crazy Diamond".
It also happened listening to another two albums I received over Christmas. "You Do" by Aimee Mann from the album "Bachelor No 2" was the stand out track. Not so much on any of the individual songs on "All the Road Running" by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris, but just a succession of wonderful tracks. I can remember the odd song from Alison Krauss did it, a couple from Thea Gilmore on her latest album "Harpo's Ghost", every time I hear "Brothers in Arms" and recently Sandy Denny's "Who knows where the time goes" and "Solo". A good few years ago, driving home on a Friday evening, I can remember Johnny Walker playing the whole live version of "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, all 13 minutes and eleven seconds, and buying the double LP just to get this track. Radio 2 is now just not the same.
Snowfall
On Thursday morning we awoke to a fairly heavy fall of snow. However, by the time it stopped snowing in the middle of the day, it had already started to melt. Alison took the day off, not wanting to chance the journey to Bracknell.
We did manage to get to Tesco for the weekly shop in the afternoon. The main roads, including that through the village, were all gritted so were all clear.
Monday, 5 February 2007
Whiteleaf Hill and Ashridge
Saturday morning walks have always been special. Up until five years ago, it was always swimming on a Saturday morning. First of all at High Wycombe Sports Centre, then at the fitness club at the nearby Holiday Inn and finally at the Maxwell Pool in Aylesbury. But when I went on to four days a week in 2001, this coincided with the opening of the new Aqua Vale, and I started going on Wednesdays.
So this has now left Saturday mornings free for a walk. On Saturday I choose one of my favourite circular walks from Whiteleaf Hill near Princes Risborough. The last time I was there it was autumn. I avoid this walk after rain as it gets quite muddy. But Saturday was a glorious day, chilly with clear blue skies, but no wind. I avoid the normal rout which follows the bridleway and instead head downhill on the Ridgeway towards Lower Cadsden. I turn off right before the bottom and head through Ninn Wood to come out into the open to take paths that track the hedges of large fields. Crossing the road and head up Hampden Chase to Dirtywood Farm and again through woods to Hengrove Wood and the road at Buckmoorend. At the first house, a footpath crosses a field, now with good views of Chequers.
Crossing the same road, the path heads up through Pulpitt Wood to the top of Pulpitt Hill with great views over Aylesbury Vale. The path then leads downhill and soon joins the Ridgeway which is followed to Lower Gadsden before the lung bursting ascent of Whiteleaf Hill. There is a better detour off the Ridgeway to follow the open ridge which is the old route of the Ridgeway. This has better views, but means walking back along a road to Lower Cadsden. However, I think there may be a connecting path, which I shall look for next time.
Sunday was a similarly beautiful day, so I headed off to Ashridge. Parking at the monument, I head down the hill to Albury, turning right past the Walter Swinburn Stables, across the golf course to meet another section of the Ridgeway. The views across Pitstone, Ivinghoe Beacon (where the Ridgeway ends) and the countryside beyond make the open ridge section one of the best in the Chilterns. You can even see the snow dome in Milton Keynes.
So this has now left Saturday mornings free for a walk. On Saturday I choose one of my favourite circular walks from Whiteleaf Hill near Princes Risborough. The last time I was there it was autumn. I avoid this walk after rain as it gets quite muddy. But Saturday was a glorious day, chilly with clear blue skies, but no wind. I avoid the normal rout which follows the bridleway and instead head downhill on the Ridgeway towards Lower Cadsden. I turn off right before the bottom and head through Ninn Wood to come out into the open to take paths that track the hedges of large fields. Crossing the road and head up Hampden Chase to Dirtywood Farm and again through woods to Hengrove Wood and the road at Buckmoorend. At the first house, a footpath crosses a field, now with good views of Chequers.
Crossing the same road, the path heads up through Pulpitt Wood to the top of Pulpitt Hill with great views over Aylesbury Vale. The path then leads downhill and soon joins the Ridgeway which is followed to Lower Gadsden before the lung bursting ascent of Whiteleaf Hill. There is a better detour off the Ridgeway to follow the open ridge which is the old route of the Ridgeway. This has better views, but means walking back along a road to Lower Cadsden. However, I think there may be a connecting path, which I shall look for next time.
Sunday was a similarly beautiful day, so I headed off to Ashridge. Parking at the monument, I head down the hill to Albury, turning right past the Walter Swinburn Stables, across the golf course to meet another section of the Ridgeway. The views across Pitstone, Ivinghoe Beacon (where the Ridgeway ends) and the countryside beyond make the open ridge section one of the best in the Chilterns. You can even see the snow dome in Milton Keynes.
Friday, 2 February 2007
Retirement Projects
I haven't started any yet, but its about time I at least listed the Projects that will keep me busy during the early part of my retirement.
Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector 1547 - 1550
I became interested in this passage of English history when I read "Children of England" by Alison Weir. These three years were the first of the reign of Edward VI who came to the throne when he was only nine years old, and saw the rise and fall of Protector Somerset. The story that is of particular interest to me ( and one which I intend to research) is his relationship to his brother, Richard Seymour and his with Elizabeth ( who later became Queen Elizabeth I) between the ages of 13 and 16.
Mum and Dad
In April 1999, I was sorting through papers from files left by my Stepmother, Margaret. It was then I started thinking more about mum and dad and their life together. How they came from very different backgrounds and became the first generation from both families to move away from Yorkshire. I have already made a few notes from talking to various aunts, but there is a lot stored in the memory banks that I need to set down. I then thought I would like to know more about their ancestors.
Family History
So in the September of 1999, I found an evening class in Genealogy. This gave some good advice on tracing family history. I spent the next two years doing all the basic research, meeting relatives etc and I came to the point when it would mean a lot of travel to local archives throughout the country, and time on the computer to write up my findings. I decided to put everything on hold until I retired. When my new computer arrives, I want to purchase "Family Historian 3" which seems to be the best bit of software recording details of all my ancestors and creating charts.
Places to Visit
The list of places to see (just to mention a few) range from the Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge(never been), the Thames Barrier, Sotheby's, Cross Ness Pumping Station, RHS Gardens at Bisley, Savill Garden, Kew Gardens to Broadway Tower Oxford, the Severn Bore, the Anderton Boat lift and Falkirk Wheel.
31 Songs
Nick Hornby is one of my favourite authors. He says in his book "31 Songs" that "I wanted mostly to write about what it was in these songs that made me love them". He talks about songs that remind him of certain events "but I don't own any of them - none of them means anything to me as music, just as memories, and I didn't want to write about memories".
But then he includes "Puff the Magic Dragon" (albeit a reggae version by Gregory Isaacs) and its relationship to his son Danny. So mine will be a vehicle for some of my memories.
Favourite Things
These will start of as just as occasional lists. Favourite films, favourite directors, favourite singers, favourite walks. That's probably enough to keep me busy.
Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector 1547 - 1550
I became interested in this passage of English history when I read "Children of England" by Alison Weir. These three years were the first of the reign of Edward VI who came to the throne when he was only nine years old, and saw the rise and fall of Protector Somerset. The story that is of particular interest to me ( and one which I intend to research) is his relationship to his brother, Richard Seymour and his with Elizabeth ( who later became Queen Elizabeth I) between the ages of 13 and 16.
Mum and Dad
In April 1999, I was sorting through papers from files left by my Stepmother, Margaret. It was then I started thinking more about mum and dad and their life together. How they came from very different backgrounds and became the first generation from both families to move away from Yorkshire. I have already made a few notes from talking to various aunts, but there is a lot stored in the memory banks that I need to set down. I then thought I would like to know more about their ancestors.
Family History
So in the September of 1999, I found an evening class in Genealogy. This gave some good advice on tracing family history. I spent the next two years doing all the basic research, meeting relatives etc and I came to the point when it would mean a lot of travel to local archives throughout the country, and time on the computer to write up my findings. I decided to put everything on hold until I retired. When my new computer arrives, I want to purchase "Family Historian 3" which seems to be the best bit of software recording details of all my ancestors and creating charts.
Places to Visit
The list of places to see (just to mention a few) range from the Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge(never been), the Thames Barrier, Sotheby's, Cross Ness Pumping Station, RHS Gardens at Bisley, Savill Garden, Kew Gardens to Broadway Tower Oxford, the Severn Bore, the Anderton Boat lift and Falkirk Wheel.
31 Songs
Nick Hornby is one of my favourite authors. He says in his book "31 Songs" that "I wanted mostly to write about what it was in these songs that made me love them". He talks about songs that remind him of certain events "but I don't own any of them - none of them means anything to me as music, just as memories, and I didn't want to write about memories".
But then he includes "Puff the Magic Dragon" (albeit a reggae version by Gregory Isaacs) and its relationship to his son Danny. So mine will be a vehicle for some of my memories.
Favourite Things
These will start of as just as occasional lists. Favourite films, favourite directors, favourite singers, favourite walks. That's probably enough to keep me busy.
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