Holiday Reads......

We never seem to have time for books at home, there always seems to be more pressing matters which need attention. So holidays provide valuable uninterrupted time for reading - a  really enjoyable indulgence.

Here are my recent eclectic reads in the Med.......

The Girl in the Spider's Web 

David Lagercrantz, George Goulding

a really gripping read which is written in the style of the late author Stieg Larsson who wrote the fantastic Girl with Dragon Tattoo trilogy. Lisbeth Salander is again brought to life with sinister twists and turns.  I don't think this will be the last offering as the ending allows for much speculation.

The Shape of Water: The Inspector Montalbano Mysteries - Book 1

Andrea Camilleri

having watched and enjoyed the Montalbano series on TV I was encouraged to read the books to see how they compare.  I wasn't disappointed.  Clearly more detail is evident in the books and the mixture of fiction and farce is amusing and chaotic at times. I have downloaded the second of these and look forward to the next holiday......

Go Set a Watchman

Harper Lee

As a schoolgirl I read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and also saw the film starring Gregory Peck.  As with many other people you could not help but be moved by the story and take away a lasting impression of the injustices which exist and that there are people who are willing to stand up and be counted.

So when this sequel came out I was fascinated to see what happening next. I read many reviews including those on Amazon which on the whole were quite negative and so my expectations were not very high as a consequence. 
I was disappointed overall but it is still worth a read. I understand that Harper Lee wrote this before Mocking Bird which I find puzzling in terms of the character of Atticus and what he stands for......don't want to give the game away so read and judge for yourself....

The Fatherland

Richard Harris

I downloaded this quite a while ago and was looking forward to this book on holiday.  I have read many of Robert Harris's novels and find them quite compelling.  His research and thoroughness provides a sound foundation for the narrative. If the Germans had won the war is this how the future would be........? Fascinating, thought provoking and disturbing.  Excellent!

I am pleased I am a convert to "Kindle".  It took a little time to get used to using it and like many other people I used to say that you couldn't replace the enjoyment of holding a book.  Well I now wouldn't dream of buying a book unless it contained many photos, diagrams and illustrations.
It is like carrying around  your own personal library which is discrete and compact.  No longer have to worry about the weight allowance on the plane and another bonus is the low cost......no brainer!

Split, Venice, Sarande, Malaga......memories...

As promised here are more photos of our recent Cruise starting with Split

           

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Venice

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Sarande

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Malaga

Picasso Museum

Holiday Matters....

In my last blog I mentioned our holiday.  It seems an awfully long time ago now but in fact was only last month.  We went on a cruise.....again! Cruising is one of the most enjoyable, stress free holidays you can take.
We had decided to tour around France as we used to , but with all the problems with the "tunnel" and the inevitable disruption we decided to go back to our old habits.

We weren't disappointed,  3 weeks cruising the Mediterranean with wonderful weather.  If I was being picky it must be said that the temperature at times could be a little challenging....up to 36 degrees on one day.

As soon as we arrived in Southampton and handed in our cases we were free to enjoy. We had been to some of the places on the itinerary before but this still didn't detract from the pleasure of seeing them again.
Ports of call included Cadiz, Valletta, Dubrovnik, Split, Venice, Corfu, Sarande, Malaga and La Coruna.

Here are some of our photos in Seville which we travelled to from Cadiz

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Malta

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Dubrovnik

We have been to Dubrovnik before but my husband was particularly thrilled with the visit this time as "Game of Thrones" was filmed here. 

Have I wetted your appetite? More photos later......

Busy Summer!!!

I am guilty of neglecting my blog and can only blame the summer which seemed to be packed with activities......but I tend to mend my ways!

So am going to recount some to he things we have been involved in starting more or less at the end of the period.
We came back from our main holiday on 1st Oct and had to have a quick turnaround before departing for Manchester on the 3rd Oct.  You can imagine the amount of washing to be done after 3 weeks away in hot climes and then having to sort out suitable clothing for the North and cooler temperatures.
There is something quite therapeutic and of course necessary about tackling washing and somehow I rested a little easier knowing this task had been done before we departed for Manchester.
The purpose of the trip was twofold...
1. going to Man City/Newcastle Match at the Etihad.  My husband has been a lifelong supporter and this was his birthday present from me
2. attending Conservative Conference from Sunday until Weds.

The match was particularly rewarding as Man City won impressively 6-1.  As it was a special occasion I organised "Citizens Hospitality"  so we had a good (padded) seat and a meal!.. I can't say I am a natural supporter but having a brother and husband who are fanatical about it you have no choice but to get involved.  I almost enjoy it now particularly attending a match.  There is something about the roar of the crowd, the banter, the colour, the scale......

We stayed at the Piccadilly Hotel as it is central and convenient. We checked in around 6pm and settled down in our room.  Very soon after unpacking the noise started.  Protesters who seemed to anti everything had congregated in the Park opposite the hotel.  They had loudhailers and "music" which constituted drums and heavy thumping.  Despite numerous complaints nothing seemed to be done to stop it.  We had very little sleep.  The following day (Sunday) we made our way to the Conference Centre. Even though a security wall was erected around the Centre we still had run the gauntlet and tried hard not to make eye contact as the  jeering and finger jabbing mob hurled insults at us.  In my opinion they were allowed to be too close to us and should have been pushed back so not to obstruct. We really can't understand the policing policy on this.. We were luckier than some who were pushed and spat upon.  We have never experienced anything as ugly as this.  Whatever happened to free speech and decorum.

Despite the daily hassle we still enjoyed the Conference particularly the second half. Some wonderful inspirational speeches on prison reform and measures already taken to stop reoffenders and the support that is now available. One man who spoke was a serial criminal who after having finally experienced a traumatic event started to respond to those trying to help and embraced support to become usefully employed.  He now mentors others.

One of the stands at the Conference apparently this was the actual Carling Cup.......

The key speeches, Osborne, Boris and David Cameron were impressive and Im sure you have read at length the variety of impressions of the content. The speakers from Scotland, Ireland and Wales were also emotional and impressive.  You can't help but be impressed with politicians who are on top of their game and show such commitment, stamina and vision. These roles are 24/7 and not for the faint hearted.

 

Well we left feeling quite uplifted but very tired - in addition to the noise already mentioned on another night we were wakened by the fire alarm and the hotel was evacuated.  There we all were standing on the cold pavement in quite an array of clothing - some with bare feet....at 4am.  We were told a guest had decided to smoke in his room.......

It was so good to get home and sleep our own bed again......

Back to Normal!

Its surprising how much time has been taken up with activities around the General Election.  Thankfully we were delighted with the results so all the efforts were worthwhile.

Since the 8th May we have been busily reinstating our hobbies and interests and getting back to normal ....whatever that is!

this period includes 2 Theatre trips.....

The first was The American Buffalo at the Wyndham Theatre,  which has an impressive cast - Damian Lewis, John Goodman and Tom Sturridge.  I must admit it was the cast which attracted us to see this play.

It is regarded as an American classic, however we found it a little hard going.  The acting was  superb but then what did we expect from these accomplished actors?  The beginning was slow but did gather some form. The story although thin did bring out the relative strengths and weaknesses  of the 3 characters. We left asking ourselves did we really enjoy this? The jury is still out.

Its worth reading Quentin Letts review as I think he has provided a fair analysis.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3058373/QUENTIN-LETTS-night-review-Damian-Lewis-Tom-Selleck-soup-strainer-moustache-shocker.html



The second trip was to Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre a couple of days ago. This was a half term treat for my grand daughter and we presumed that it would be primarily aimed at children but we were pleasantly surprised that it could be appreciated by adults too.  Thoroughly enjoyable and "Matilda" (Anna -Louise Knight)  and the other young members of the cast were incredible.  They remembered their exhaustive lines without a hitch and delivered in a very professional manner.
The adult actors were also very impressive and so believable in their roles.


More information on story and cast - see link below...

http://www.theatrepeople.com/shows/matilda-the-musical?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=maltida%20the%20musical&utm_campaign=Matilda&utm_content=QzWG9OLr%7Cpcrid%7C4435526855%7Cpkw%7Cmaltida%20the%20musical%7Cpmt%7Cbe&mkwid=QzWG9OLr&pcrid=4435526855&pkw=maltida%20the%20musical&pmt=be

Good time had by all !!

General Election!

Well only a few days to go! There is something really exciting about the run up to General Election for political nerds like me!  Of course every party activist, despite which party, have butterflies regarding outcome but nevertheless we all like to think that the tremendous effort will pay off.

This morning I went to support Anne Main and our local councillors in St Albans Market.  The weather was typical Bank Holiday weather ....absolutely freezing!  However this didn't dent the enthusiasm or great atmosphere.  We were joined by a team of young volunteers who made the morning a lot of fun with their placards and balloons! Lots of interesting discussions and constructive comments.....

Great to get home to a warm bowl of soup.... well it is May...........

Next "telling" on Thursday and then the long night waiting for results!!  Happy Days :)

Bomber's Moon...

Last week we took a break from electioneering to see Bomber's Moon at Trafalgar House Studios.What a superb performance from the 2 characters in this play (James Bolam and Steve John Shepherd). The plot is described in the link below which doesn't pay justice to the emotions you feel from being involved in the story.  I say involved because the nature of Studio 2 in Trafalgar House Studios is so intimate that you can't help but be drawn into identifying with the circumstances facing the actors.  

For those of you who haven't been to this theatre it really is a unique experience. There are only 100 seats arranged on 3 sides around what is the size of a small living room.

We were on the front row centre and during this performance both actors were only a matter of 2 feet way from us and we could observe the rawness of emotions and made you appreciate the brilliant acting.

There was a standing ovation at the end and many of us wiped away a few tears.  We left exhausted ..and happy at having witnessed something special.

http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/news/ltg15/bombersmoon14655.htm