Journey into Space

Paul Donovan writes the Radio Waves column in the Sunday Times. He recently included a piece about his first radio memory of JOUR-NEY IN-TO SPAACE (the announcer's spooky introduction). Created and produced by Charles Chilton and broadcast from 1953 to 1958 there were 58 episodes in three series. Andrew Faulds (who became a Labour MP) played Jet Morgan, Lemmy was played originally by David Kossof and then by Alfie Bass and Guy Kingsley Pointer played Doc and in effect narrated the stories from his diaries.

Most of the other voices, including that of the Announcer were played by the one and only David Jacobs. In those days he was a young impressionist who later went on to host the unmissable Juke Box Jury and become a Radio One DJ.

I can remember listening with great excitement to many of the episodes on our crackly radio. The sound effects were eerily familiar, I can still hear today the echo of closing the spaceship doors. Together with Dan Dare in the Eagle, these were my introduction to science fiction. Something I love to this day.

http://www.jeton.themoon.co.uk/

The Orphanage, 27 Dresses and 21

A chilling ghost story, the Spanish language movie Orfanato delivers it's fair share of shocks. But these never overshadow a great drama. Belen Rueda is terrific in the central role and easily carries the film from start to it's unexpected but wonderful conclusion. One of the best films in the last year and a definite contender for a foreign language movie Oscar.

27 Dresses is a frothy romcom with a standout performance from Katherine Heigl. Beautifully lit and filmed, with some great locations, particularly the Boathouse in Central Park. Well written, I enjoyed it immensely.


There had been mixed reviews for 21, and it was pretty disappointing. A good premise was let down by too much poker. It may have been better if half an hour shorter. I found the acting very poor, even Kevin Spacey was mediocre. Instantly forgettable.

Three Days in New York

It is hard to describe what an amazing three days I had in New York with Michael. He was the perfect host and probably knew the city better than most other residents. So I had a personal one to one tour guide who could describe all the buildings and places, some of their history and often where they were used as film location.

I had sent him an itinerary of places I wanted to see, however, what I did not foresee was that we would be walking everywhere. We did cover an awful lot of miles over the three days. And Michael pointed out that of Manhattan and the four outer boroughs, I only failed to visit Queens. There were many times I thought everything had been laid on especially for me. The perfect weather (I never saw a cloud in the sky) which meant we sat outside a cafe for lunch on the first day (and Michael got a little sunburnt on the walk over Brooklyn Bridge). The highest scoring baseball game between the Yankees and Red Sox for 50 years, the view over the World Trade Centre building site from Michael's office window (which no other tourist would see). And the band in Central Park playing 1920's traditional jazz with trumpet, clarinet, banjo and tuba - music from my youth. I could not have been more lucky.

TUESDAY - FLY SILVERJET

When I received a bonus from the last contract I worked on with Shepherd, I decided straight away that I would spend it on flying by Silverjet to New York. And I wasn't disappointed. They fly from Luton which is our nearest airport and a comfortable 35 minute taxi ride. Silverjet have their own private terminal where drinks and snacks are on offer. The luxury continues on the plane. Huge seats meant I could not touch the one in front if I stretched my legs. The plan was less than half full, so all those travelling on their own had two seats to themselves.

I actually turned down the offer of a glass of champagne as soon as we were seated. But the bowl of mixed nuts went down well. A stewardess introduced herself as Laura. She gave me a menu, asked what I would be doing in New York (I struggled to keep it short)and said she would taking my order for dinner.

I had a choice of some superior red and white wines, and plumped for the "Red Mullet". Hors d'oeuvres arrived with some goats cheeses and olives, followed by a starter and main course, all served separately on white china. A refill of of wine in a nice glass and coffee in a white mug - all very different to my experiences of any other flight. (For those that might be interested there is a separate ladies powder room).

The entertainment console comes with a hard drive with fifty odd albums for all music tastes, except that not many were mine. I took the opportunity to try artists like Amy Winehouse and Christine Aguilerra, but settled on Snow Patrol's "Eyes Open" where I found a number of pleasing tracks. I had actually already seen most of the movies, so I did try "Enchanted" and was pleasantly surprised. It passed a couple of hours on the seven hour twenty minutes flight. Which, I have to admit, went a lot quicker than I had imagined it would.

Immigration at the airport in New Jersey was a joke. All the publicity about mammoth queues did not apply to our flight. We were through so quickly it was surreal. Michael was at Newark International to meet me and carry my case on the subway to Pennsylvania Station (New York's' biggest terminal), where we took a taxi to his apartment in Nolita.

WEDNESDAY - SOUTH STREET SEAPORT, BROOKLYN BRIDGE AND BROOKLYN HEIGHTS

Michael suggested it would be nice to walk from his apartment to South Street Seaport, and I'm glad he did. It meant we walked through Little Italy and I had my first views of one of New York's finest early skyscrapers, the Woolworth Building, the tallest when it was built in 1913. It stands in City Hall Park where a pleasant garden and fountain shows off the the Municipal Building and City Hall itself.

South Street Seaport was the old port and dates back to the 1600's. Now it is a newly restored centre for a museum, shops and restaurants. We were only interested in Pier 17 and for the views to Brooklyn Bridge which would be our next stop.

It was quite a walk back to City Hall Park, but it is here that the walkway over Brooklyn Bridge starts. It follows a route above the two carriageways on either side. It is quite a trek, but worth it especially on a sunny day like it was. The views are brilliant: back to Pier 17, midtown and the Empire State Building, the Financial District and Liberty Island all come into view.

Approaching the end of the bridge, the Promenade at Brooklyn Heights looked a long way away. However, an underpass and a couple of streets later and we were there. The Promenade has some of the best views of Manhattan across the East River, and a backdrop for many movies. The climax of "Munich" was filmed here and included the joggers and cyclists who frequent this stretch. We took a well deserved rest on one of the many benches and enjoyed the view.

I was very impressed by Brooklyn Heights. A beautiful, peaceful neighbourhood, full of nice apartments buildings like the ones above. We strolled along the Promenade to Montague Street where the guide book had suggested there were nice shops and cafes. They were right. We found a super cafe that was on a corner and had seating outside but under cover. Perfect. We had a lovely lunch and soon every table outside was taken. Their website says it all - http://www.heightscafeny.com/.

At a coffee stop, we pondered on whether to go on to Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Our legs refused, so we took the option of a subway back to the apartment, and a doze before heading out for the big event.

TUESDAY EVENING BASEBALL

My birthday present from Alison was tickets to the New York Yankees against the Boston Red Sox (who are the "world" champions). Procured through Stub hub, the tickets had arrived with Michael a week ago. The seats were fantastic, as was the atmosphere, the hotdogs, the beer and the weather. And a momentous game, the highest score between the two arch rivals for 50 years.

It all happened in the fifth innings when the Red Sox took a 9-7 lead scoring six runs in the one innings (more than the total runs by both sides in a normal game). But the Yankees came back with four runs of their own for the second innings in succession and held the lead to the end. A late finish as the scoreboard tells.

PS Thanks Alison. It was the best birthday present ever.

THURSDAY - BATTERY PARK CITY, STATEN ISLAND FERRY AND FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Battery Park City was not on my itinerary, but the walk from the apartment to the ferry was designed to show me Canal Street and Tribeca. So the walk was worth it, passing the obligatory film crew.

Our arrival at the waterfront was quite surprising. Because the whole of Battery Park City was reclaimed land using excavated fill from the when the twin towers were built, it is fairly new and beautifully landscaped. So the walk along the front was picturesque and serene. Great views across the wide Hudson River to New Jersey and another nice Promenade all the way to the end of Manhattan. Pleasant office blocks block the traffic noise from the expressway, and the "cove" is a nice small harbour with restaurants and bars behind an open space.

At the end of the Promenade, Battery Park itself was a pretty scruffy grassed area mainly serving the ferries to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Here the queues were the longest I have seen anywhere in my life. I'm just glad we decided to take the Staten Island Ferry, which was only a ten minute wait, was free and took just 50 minutes for the round trip. It provided all the views of the Statue of Liberty I wanted, and those of Manhattan on the return were out of this world.

Into the Financial District for lunch at a typical New York deli with the overstuffed sandwiches and grumpy staff. Wonderful. A short stop at the Skyscraper Museum and then into the main Financial District itself. Very impressive being amongst the tall buildings, some you never see properly as they are surrounded by other buildings. Wall Street was great, Michael works in this area so could provide some history and point out movie locations.

Finally, a visit to his offices, and from his window on the 11th floor, an incredible and emotional view of the WTC building site. It is so close to his office which is only on the other side of one of it's perimeter streets. An experience very few visitors would have.

Back to the apartment, we caught some highlights of last night's baseball before heading out by taxi to Tribeca for dinner. The Landmarc in Tribeca is one of Michael's favourite places, and was perfect for me. The hangar steak done on a charcoal grill is a speciality, so we shared a starter. A noisy and informal restaurant, we did not have to wait for a table. The menu, which also contains many pasta dishes, is vast as can be seen on http://www.landmarc-restaurant.com/. A very nice evening, made happier for Michael as his Red Sox won their next game against the Yankees.

FRIDAY - GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL, MIDTOWN, TOP OF THE ROCK, CENTRAL PARK AND UNION SQUARE

We were up early for the last day as we needed to be at Grand Central Terminal around 9am as we had booked tickets for Top of the Rock for 10am. So we had just enough time to take in the outstanding open space of the main concourse of the station, with it's high barrel vaulted ceiling, imposing columns and striking windows. Even more impressive than I had imagined. Steps at one end led to a deserted lower balcony where we could just stand and stare.

In the end it was a quick walk up 42nd Street (I know) and Fifth Avenue to reach the Rockefeller Centre. We found the entrance to Top of the Rock, and were amazed how quiet it was. There seemed to be more staff than visitors. There was a non obligatory film show about the history of the building which was quite interesting, and then their own dedicated elevator took us up 70 floors in less than a minute. Staggering. What we had not bargained for was how smart were the top floors of the centre which were so uncrowded. The floor was enclosed by full height windows and the views were incredible. Only to be surpassed when we walked outside onto the glass protected viewing deck that ran on both sides. From 580 feet, the view straight down made you gasp. The view to the south was dominated by the Empire State Building while the north attracted me to my first glimpse of Central Park.

We took our time taking photos and locating various landmarks, and thinking just how Michael and I had arrived at such an awe inspiring place. We found an escalator to the next floor up, and another viewing deck. There were some steps up to an even higher platform, so we really were Top of the Rock.

Down to the ground for coffee and cake, we looked around the landscaped area surrounded the Rockefeller Centre, which set the building off beautifully. Took photos of St Patrick's Cathedral ("Spiderman" etc) and looked at other buildings in the area before heading further up 5th Avenue to Central Park.

The trees were just coming into leaf, with lovely cherry blossom and magnolias. We wandered into the park and up the Mall. In the distance we heard a jazz band playing, and when we reached them, there were benches that were unoccupied, so we just sat and listened and watched their dancers. It was wonderful.

Then on to the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain to look across the lake to the boathouse. I sat where the two sisters talked about their parents wedding there in "27 Dresses". Sad, I know.

Along the Ramble to Belvedere Castle with views to the Delacorte Theater (where Shakespeare is played all summer), before heading for the subway to take us to Union Square. Two reasons for visiting this location. The first for lunch at the Heartland Brewery. A favourite of Michael's, and no wonder. Excellent choice of their own (expensively reassuring) craft beers and great sandwiches and salads. All at http://www.heartlandbrewery.com/.

The second reason was a "very important purchase" of some running shoes for Alison. None on her list were available, but a new version was, so I'm glad to say I made the right choice. Along with a smart North Face running top.

Then it was back to the apartment to finish packing and make our way to the airport. It had been a hectic three days but there were times for relaxation. It had been the most amazing holiday, to spend time with Michael in what is now his city, and enjoy the sights with him. Some were even new to him, especially Top of the Rock. An "epic" walking tour of the city. Only left to say a big, big, thank you Michael.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

The Rough Guide has 22 Things not to miss. Here are my favourites.

1 The personal one to one tour guide and host that is my son.

2 Baseball at Yankee Stadium in their final season there.

3 Top of the Rock. Surprisingly smart, quiet and awesome.

4 Three very different venues for lunch. All great in their own way.

5 Lots of places to sit down, the wooden platforms at Pier 17, the benches on the Promenades of Brooklyn Heights and Battery Park City, the plush seating inside the top floor of Top of the Rock and the park seats in Central Park.

6 Staying in a neighbourhood like Nolita, a taste of the heart of New York.

7 Dinner at the Landmarc and a hangar steak.

8 City Hall Park and the surrounding buildings (an unexpected addition to my itinary).

9 Brooklyn Bridge and the views.

10 Brooklyn Heights - the Promenade, and a delightful neighbourhood.

11 Battery City Park, another surprising and quiet Promenade.

12 Staten Island Ferry - the best and cheapest way to view the Islands and Manhattan.

13 The Financial District, Wall Street and the WTC site.

14 Grand Central Terminal, better than even I had imagined.

15 Fifth Avenue and the shops we only passed.

16 The buildings of Midtown.

17 Central Park.

18 The jazz band especially laid on for our visit there.

19 Fly Silverjet.

20 The weather, it could not have been more perfect.

Visit to Tate Modern

I had wanted to visit Tate Modern, firstly because I had never been before, and secondly I wanted to see the crevice that was built into the floor of the turbine hall. So on Friday, I took the train to Marylebone and the Underground to Blackfriars where I found the beautiful riverside walk to take me to the Millenium Bridge.

Darren (the Site Manager on my last contract with Shepherd's at Welwyn) phoned just as I was taking this next photo in the middle of the bridge.

Tate Modern is not the most attractive building from the outside.

But the interior is quite spectacular. The space is extraordinary, the chocolate painted steelwork against the salmon pink walls, the light, everything had a big impact.

The crevice is called "Shibbloleth" and was created by Doris Salcedo. The first time a piece of art has entered the fabric of the building. Interesting, but that was all.

There were not too may exhibits that made an impression on me. "Thirty pieces of silver" by Cornelia Parker stood out. All second hand, the pieces had been flattened by a steamroller
and hung from the ceiling about a foot off the floor. There were then thirty sets in a perfect 6 x 5 layout.

The most amazing exhibit was something called "Hanging Soap Woman" by Mioslaw Balka. Dozens of bars of soap of different sizes and colours hung on a necklace from the ceiling. It was really funny to see, and I stood watching as others joined in the joke.

But my favourite piece of art was by Gerhard Richter. In a room on its own, it comprised six paintings called Cage 1 to 6, each 3meters by 2 meters, on four walls, two on each long wall and one at either end. They were all very similar, except the colours from one seemed to run into the next. I found it a very effective experience.

At lunchtime I had time to visit Canary Wharf and look at one the Shepherd contracts where I was involved for a time. The apartment building Discovery Dock East looks really well now finished and occupied.

In the afternoon, I had arranged to visit Darren on his new contract at Berners Hotel off Oxford Street, just to say hello. When he offered a walk around the job, I jumped at the chance. And what a job. A £35 Million part reconstruct and refurb of an old listed hotel to convert into something with five stars. I have to thank Darren for his time which made the day one to remember.

April Snow

Awoke this morning to find a good covering of snow. But not on the roads or footpaths, so I was still able to cycle to the paper shop. The red colours of the tulips and flowering currant looked quite dramatic with their snow hats.

Red Arrows over Halton

The Red Arrows flew over RAF Halton at the end of their flypast over London. Fortunately I went on my bike to the lane that goes from Weston Turville to the airfield, as it was packed with cars as the last photo shows. It was quite dramatic as they came over the highest part of the Chiltern Hills accompanied by four new Typhoon aircraft.

Equus and Uncle Vanya

Two trips to Milton Keynes Theatre in just over a week. I'm not sure why Equus was not as enjoyable as I had imagined. Was it something in the writing? The monologues from Simon Callow were hard going, or did he have a bad night? It was a lot better when he was talking to other characters, especially Alfie Allen. On his own, he made the night worthwhile. Here is a brilliant young actor (roles in Atonement and Joe's Palace) who is destined for big things.

I have always enjoyed plays by Chekov, but maybe they are now past their sell by date. Modern productions on TV have a much fresher approach to family dramas. Take Lark Rise to Candleford. Pretty boring when we did Flora Thomson's novel at school, but turned into something special and heartwarming by the writing of Bill Gallagher. Julia Sawalha deserves all the awards going for her lead role as the postmistress. Back to Uncle Vanya. A stodgy story only brightened by the directing of Peter Hall and an excellent turn from Neil Pearson as Astrov. Michelle Dockery did not shape up in the female lead as she had in Pygmalion. But Loo Brealy did well as the girl on the edge of a nervous breakdown.