Queens’ Regiment Memorial Woodland…

This is a small piece of land near to where we live that we were only aware of due to an article in the local parish magazine, about an event being held there. We went with our neighbour, Howard, to see what it was all about. It was an intimate event, but everyone made us feel welcome. The woodland is very peaceful and with the band playing it was very moving too. Afterwards we intended to go for a walk, but it ended up being a tour of local village pubs.

Cardboard Heaven…

I have acquired a few new board games recently, a Kickstarter game called Moa (I had to get this for the NZ theme), and a couple of games from our visit to the UK Games Expo – Crisis (one that is out of print that I played a couple of years back at Essen – a hard worker placement game), and Patchwork (a quick and simple two player game).

Silver Celebrations…

We were honoured to have been invited to attend Brian & Julies 25^th Wedding Anniversary celebrations at an Italian restaurant in Tring. It was a lovely evening only a little marred by us getting drenched walking home as a thunderstorm hit.

The Music Triangle…

Sue, Sue’s sister Deb, and I went to America recently to experience the music that came out of various areas – Country in Nashville, Blues & Soul in Memphis and Jazz in New Orleans.

We hadn’t realised that BA had just opened a direct route to Nashville from Heathrow so we were lucky not to have to transfer elsewhere.

I could of days before the flight I started to get a pain running down my right leg from the base of the spine to the foot, I assumed it was sciatica and as it was the weekend I got some strong pain killers and soldiered on.

When we arrived in Nashville it was evening and after checking into our ample rooms in the

Hotel Indigo, we went to get a beer in the bar where music was playing (NOTE: most turn up and watch live music is played in bars, and so that is where we ended up most of the time).

Our hotel is next to a narrow street called Printer’s Alley, and it was there that we found Skull’s Rainbow Room, where we ate a meal and listened to more music.

The next morning I woke up and found a nasty rash had appeared all down my leg. Not wanting to deal with American hospitals we found a local pharmacy and asked the chemist his opinion. He asked if I had taken anything different and I mentioned the pain killers which he suggested I stop taking (in case I was allergic) and try some antihistamines. I did so and also applied some steroid cream I have for my eczema, and over the next few days the rash improved. 

We wander off into town past many historic and musical places of interest and had a wonderful breakfast at the Sun Diner that was located next to the Johnny Cash Museum (where there is a moving display of his rendition of the Nine Inch Nails song, Hurt), and across the road from a local confectionary store – the GooGoo shop.

We then went over to the large Country Hall of Fame museum where we spent a good time exploring the many exhibits to stars old and new.

It was getting to warm to continue walking around so we stopped at the Famous Saloon which had a roof top bar overlooking the river and we had a cold beer whist watching a paddle boat pass. When it got too hot to do even that we went down into the bar where live music was playing.

During the evening the neon lights come on along the main strip showing shops, bars, eateries. We strolled along taking it all in, occasionally pausing for a drink and to listen to music. One of the famous music venues was Nudies Honky Tonk (Nudie was a well-respected costume/stage clothes designer), and his bar had a few of his works hung on the wall (along with a Cadillac car). Across the road was another called Tootsies Orchid Lounge, a smaller and crowded place with heaps of atmosphere, with a back entrance that faced the Ryman theatre (artists from days gone by would walk out of the theatre straight into the bar).

A place that became a regular for us was the Bourbon Street Blue’s and Boogie Bar near hotel (in Printer’s Alley, and which hosted amazing Blues artists – no Country at all). It was a small and intimate place far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the main strip not to attract the merely curious. The food was simple bar snack sort of fare, but in a Southern style (alligator bites for example). 

Another good restaurant for its roof top location overlooking the strip, was Ole Red Lookout. The food was a limited selection, but it was good quality and tasty.

The Hop on Hop off trolley bus tour was recommended to us be the hotel and so we bought two day tickets and initially did a full circuit without getting off, to get a feel for the place and to plan where we would return to.

The following morning, we went to the Bicentennial Park which has a few wonderful features (fountains – one for each major river in the state, a garden in a scale topographical representation of the state, a marble wall with a history of events inscribed on it – with gaps broken in it to show major conflicts, a WWI and WWII gardens, and bell towers – one for each county, that played various tunes). On one side of the park is the Farmer’s Market, which is not all that interesting (though the strawberries were huge and delicious). Next stop we got off at on the tour was at the former Marathon Motor Works (a former car factory and earlier cotton mill, now a collection of hipster shops. Also, here is the American Pickers shop, a museum of the Marathon cars and work benches, and the Green Brier Distillery).

Back on the trolley we went until we stopped for lunch at The Stillery (Beers, huge salads, and catfish & fries). Another short ride along Music Row we stopped at Bobby’s Idle Hour Tavern where it was Sam’s Jams open mike time. To finish off our heritage tour we stopped at the Ryman Auditorium (one of the former locations of the Grand Ole Opry).

A few more bars later we finished up at the Black Rabbit, a burlesque club. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed and the band played a few preliminary songs until the first act came on – a cowgirl stripper who spanked a guy near us. The most entertaining sight was Deb’s face, wide eyed and shocked at what she was seeing she insisted we leave.

Another worthwhile stop on a sunny day was Mike’s Ice Cream parlour (I had a great malt shake here).

After we checked out we went to pick up our car to drive over to Memphis, we did this early and headed for breakfast at the Loveless Café out of town, here the girls had moonshine bloody Marys. The ‘biscuits’ were a hit, the ‘grits’ not. We drove on to Jackson (Tennessee) and to the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame hosted by the eccentric Henry Harrison with his rambling tales of musical notables and his collection of oddball artefacts. Also on route we stopped at the school that Tina Turner attended and which is now a small museum dedicated to her.

At Memphis, we checked into the Hampton Inn & Suites which backed onto the main strip of Beale Street. Here settled into the relaxed Silky O’Sullivan’s garden space (where they have so-called Irish diving goats in an enclosure). That evening we dined at BB King’s and enjoyed the house band play into the night.

In the morning, we wandered around town (Gibson factory and Memphis Rock N Soul Museum – from the outside only), and then onto the Peabody Hotel for breakfast and the march of the ducks (several ducks are resident in their own penthouse suite and twice a day come down in the lift and a guided into the fountain in the lobby by a finely dressed wrangler.

The next day we went out to Graceland, a shrine/amusement park dedicated to the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. There were a great number of people there and we limited our visit to the house and his planes (missing the warehouses full of cars, clothes and other personal effects). The house was interesting and gave you a feel for how he lived at the end. It was a little disconcerting to see people weeping over the graves of him and his family.

On our way back into town we swung by Sun Studios before dropping the car of and attempting public transport. Unfortunately, the trolley bus we caught had a young disabled person in distress on it and had stopped waiting for the paramedics to arrive. So back to shank’s pony walk to the Mississippi riverside for views of Mud Island

We sought out more music in open air venue behind our hotel, Jerry Lee Lewis bar, and back at Slinky’s. There was a Blue’s festival about to start that night with music in the park, but I was feeling tired and suffering with the pain in my leg, so I retired early leaving the girls in a bar.

Our next leg of the journey was going to be a long one. We could not get down to New Orleans in one go see we had planned to stop off at Natchez. Instead of going direct we detoured to visit the birthplace of Elvis in Tupelo (a much more relaxed and moving place than Graceland). This then put is on the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, a lovely road through the countryside. We happened upon a place called French Camp where there was a country fair with old cars, stalls selling various foodstuffs, an amusement fair and a general store and café. There also was an outdoor bluegrass show under the shade of huge tree in the field.

Once we got to Natchez it was late afternoon. Our accommodation was part of the Monmouth Historic Inn, an Antebellum style house and cottages (we had rooms in the cottages, each with a four-poster bed that was so high you needed a running jump to get on and risked serious injury if you were to fall out of). We had pre-booked a meal at the in-house 1818 restaurant in the old sitting rooms of the main building. A musician played on a piano in the hall and everything was refined and elegant (even us).

The next morning, after breakfast, we had a complementary tour of the hotel with an informed guide telling us about the history of the owners, building and local area. Luckily, they had managed to collect several of the original pieces of furniture and had replica wallpaper made to match what was there before (the house had been derelict for a few years during its checkered past). The grounds too were lovely, with several small lakes occupied by turtles and various fish, trees covered in hanging Spanish moss making us feel we were definitely in the Deep South now.

The last leg of our music triangle tour was New Orleans. We dropped car off at airport and took a cab to the Hotel St Pierre in the French Quarter where we had a couple of the old cottages for our accommodation. We went out into town and had a drink at one of the oldest establishments, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop bar, before wandering around town down to the river. We had booked a Riverboat Cruise on the Creole Queen that was for dinner and jazz as the sun went down over the Mississippi (luckily weren’t on the other boat with the screeching steam organ on the roof).

Bourbon Street at night is a shock to the senses, being the most popular of the three cities we visited it attracted a party crowd. The heat meant there were people with inadvisably little clothing on liquored up, shouting and singing, weaving and swaying, vomiting and roughhousing up and down the street. The drains stank, perhaps as an aftermath of the floods, but also due to the archaic facilities in many of the bars. All the bars tried to attract you in with loud music (a great deal of which was not Jazz). There seems to be an acceptance in America about putting drinks in plastic containers, perhaps to avoid broken glass as people drank in the street. There were some open air spaces with music being performed and various street performers out and about of varying skill. We did find a couple of venues we really liked, the first was Maison Bourbon promoters of great traditional jazz – here the first night was a band led by a female trumpet player, the second night a black guy with his oriental girlfriend dancing up a storm.

Hotel was the location of the first New Orleans Jazz Museum (Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong was a guest) and it was made from a collection of old French colonial cottages around intimate courtyards and small swimming pools (welcome relief from the heat). The only issue with this place was they charged us when we left (we had prepaid) and we are still after them for a full refund.

The next day we took a trip out to Mardi Gras World, the workshops and storage facilities of one of the larger float makers. It was very impressive to see their collection and only a month or so after the last Mardi Gras they were already working on the following year’s.

On our return, we paused for beignet fried doughnuts at Café du Monde (deep fried and covered in icing sugar), then stopped for a sharpener at Muriel’s (note to self – they regard a dirty martini as one with vermouth in it, not olive water, so I ended up with a glass of neat vodka). We decided to walk it off with a stroll through the lovely Armstrong Park, but eventually the heat beat us back to the hotel pool.

That evening we went for cocktails at the Carousel Bar (the bar looks like a fairground ride and slowly rotates. Then on to the Court of Two Sisters (well, we just had to) where we had a fine meal in their lovely courtyard. Then it was back to Maison Bourbon and on to our second of our favourite venues, the Fritzel’s Bar (here the resident band leader was a fabulous piano player with a band that changed each night). Both these venues hosted amazing music but they were both old and basic and had atrocious bathroom facilities.

The next day we decided to venture further afield and took the streetcar out to the Garden Quarter. There we stopped and walked around the atmospheric Lafayette Cemetery, cooled off in a lovely air-conditioned art gallery, walked down streets lined with huge mansions, strolled in the heat along Magazine Street with its bars and arty shops, and ended up at Audubon park opposite Loyola University.

That evening we went at sundown to the Hot Tin rooftop cocktail bar, where we had an interesting conversation with a lovely American couple before heading back into the heart of the French Quarter to the Bourbon O Bar and back to Fritzel’s.

On our final day, we ate lunch at Tableau (one of the many Dickie Brennan restaurants in town), strolled through the French Market, visited the Old Mint and Jazz Museum (with recital by Park Ranger – the only Musical National Park in the country, with all musical rangers). Our final musical stop was another fab bar, Bamboula’s on Frenchman Street. Eventually it all had to come to an end and we went to the airport for our return trip (New Orleans airport is a bit of a shambles, but they are in the process of building a new, bigger and better one).

After I returned Sue booked me in the doctor to see about the pain I was still having in my leg and the draining fatigue. In a matter of moments, he had diagnosed it as shingles and had signed me off work for more than two weeks.

More of wot I have read…

Rotherweird by Andrew Caldecott

This was an unusual book that had an interesting premise, but I was not captured by the execution of it.

‘The town of Rotherweird stands alone – there are no guidebooks, despite the fascinating and diverse architectural styles cramming the narrow streets, the avant garde science and offbeat customs. Cast adrift from the rest of England by Elizabeth I, Rotherweird's independence is subject to one disturbing condition: nobody, but nobody, studies the town or its history.

For beneath the enchanting surface lurks a secret so dark that it must never be rediscovered, still less reused.

But secrets have a way of leaking out.

Two inquisitive outsiders have arrived: Jonah Oblong, to teach modern history at Rotherweird School (nothing local and nothing before 1800), and the sinister billionaire Sir Veronal Slickstone, who has somehow got permission to renovate the town's long-derelict Manor House.

Slickstone and Oblong, though driven by conflicting motives, both strive to connect past and present, until they and their allies are drawn into a race against time – and each other. The consequences will be lethal and apocalyptic.

Welcome to Rotherweird!’

Ballad of Halo Jones volume 1 - by Alan Moore and Ian Gibson

First in the trilogy of re-released 2000AD comic story about an unlikely heroine and her adventures through a far future dystopian universe. I great nostalgic read.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its in-depth, touching tale of a world I knew nothing about. The epic story stretches across generations of the same family as they dragged through challenging experiences each trying to cope as best they can. It is quite an eye opener to read about the terrible treatment Koreans had under Japanese rule, and for how long.

‘Pachinko follows one Korean family through the generations, beginning in early 1900s Korea with Sunja, the prized daughter of a poor yet proud family, whose unplanned pregnancy threatens to shame them all. Deserted by her lover, Sunja is saved when a young tubercular minister offers to marry and bring her to Japan.

So begins a sweeping saga of an exceptional family in exile from its homeland and caught in the indifferent arc of history. Through desperate struggles and hard-won triumphs, its members are bound together by deep roots as they face enduring questions of faith, family, and identity.’

Autonomous by Annalee Newitz

This is an entertaining if somewhat silly romp through a near future of collapse in society and advances in technical/bioengineering/genetics has stratified the haves and have-nots. Essentially it is a story about rights (rights if individual verses corporations, robots verses humans, and individual freedoms).  

‘Autonomous features a rakish female pharmaceutical pirate named Jack who traverses the world in her own submarine. A notorious anti-patent scientist who has styled herself as a Robin Hood heroine fighting to bring cheap drugs to the poor, Jack’s latest drug is leaving a trail of lethal overdoses across what used to be North America—a drug that compels people to become addicted to their work.

On Jack’s trail are an unlikely pair: an emotionally shut-down military agent and his partner, Paladin, a young military robot, who fall in love against all expectations. Autonomous alternates between the activities of Jack and her co-conspirators, and Elias and Paladin, as they all race to stop a bizarre drug epidemic that is tearing apart lives, causing trains to crash, and flooding New York City.’

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arunshati Roy

Another novel about a world I didn’t know anything about – India and its many fractured and conflicting peoples. An often rambling (occasionally seemingly randomly so) collection of connected (often unlikely so) tales of various individuals who through them we see a part of the mindbogglingly (self) destructive environment that pervades this continent. A fascinating read.

‘By slowly becoming everything.

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness takes us on a journey of many years – the story spooling outwards from the cramped neighbourhoods of Old Delhi into the burgeoning new metropolis and beyond, to the Valley of Kashmir and the forests of Central India, where war is peace and peace is war, and where, from time to time, ‘normalcy’ is declared.

Anjum, who used to be Aftab, unrolls a threadbare carpet in a city graveyard that she calls home. A baby appears quite suddenly on a pavement, a little after midnight, in a crib of litter. The enigmatic S. Tilottama is as much of a presence as she is an absence in the lives of the three men who love her.

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness is at once an aching love story and a decisive remonstration. It is told in a whisper, in a shout, through tears and sometimes with a laugh. Its heroes are people who have been broken by the world they live in and then rescued, mended by love – and by hope. For this reason, they are as steely as they are fragile, and they never surrender. This ravishing, magnificent book reinvents what a novel can do and can be. And it demonstrates on every page the miracle of Arundhati Roy’s storytelling gifts.’

Seasonal Lunch Treat…

It has started to become a tradition to sample the seasonal menu at our friend Paul’s restaurant, Kingham’s in Shere. We went with Deb and Howard and his friend Kevin. As to be expected it was a lovely meal, and we had some good banter with Paul joining in too when he could get away from the stove.

Weekend Adventure…

Firstly, we went with Jamie and Gia to a wet and windy Dungeness with a brief stop at the Red Lion at Snargate (built around 1540 and not decorated since 1890 this unique pub has an antique marble bar top, original gas fittings and outside loos, and feels like stepping back in time. There is an old piano and bar games such as ‘Toad-in-the-hole’ and ‘nine-men’s-morris’ on show). And then to have lunch at The Pilot Inn (built partly with timbers from a ship lured onto the beach by wreckers).

While the other two travelled back to London (slowly due to rail problems), Sue and I booked into the Chilston Park Hotel (a slightly tired old manor house of faded grandeur) and enjoyed cocktails and a light dinner in the bar, before retiring to our feature suite Victoria (rooms have names or pictures instead of numbers) for the evening.

The next day we travelled to the coast and stopped at Whitstable where we had a seafood lunch at The Crab and Winkle and later ice-cream on the pier when we got to Herne Bay. A very pleasant and indulgent weekend was had.

Birthdays…

We had a couple of celebrations for people’s birthdays; one for Auntie V; and a combined party for Chris and Lucy (who will be 21 this year). It was great to catch up with friends and family.

Salute 2018…

Salute is a one day convention focused mainly on table-top miniatures from clubs and companies brought together by the organisers, The South London Warlords club.

I went with Marc (Marc stopped over with us for a couple of nights) and Richard, ending with a couple of pints (in pewter tankards, naturally) at the Mug House hole-in-the-wall style of pub at London Bridge.

Game Day…

Played several co-op games and a couple not:

• 5-Minute Dungeon
• Azul
• Pandemic
• Thunderbirds
• Dice Throne
• Forbidden Desert

More of wot I have read…

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

This is a very accomplished debut novel with a good balance of humour, sadness, darkness and light. There are not too many surprises in the story, but the author does a good job making you believe you found out what was happening on your own before it is revealed to you. Nominated for awards and already optioned for a film.

‘Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life.

She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend.

Eleanor Oliphant is happy.

Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled existence. Except, sometimes, everything…’

The Power by Naomi Alderman

An interesting exploration into gender and power and how a change in the balance could change everything (or nothing).

‘All over the world women are discovering they have the power.

With a flick of the fingers they can inflict terrible pain – even death.

Suddenly every man on this planet finds they have lost control.

The day of the girls has arrived – but where will it end?’

Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood

A quick read of this fine interpretation of a classic tale of revenge and forgiveness.

‘Treacherously toppled from his post as director of the Makeshiweg Festival on the eve of his production of The Tempest, Felix retreats to a backwoods hovel to lick his wounds and mourn his lost daughter. And to also plot his revenge.

After twelve years, his chance appears in the shape of a theatre course at a nearby prison, Here, Felix and his inmate actors will stage his Tempest at last, and snare the traitors who destroyed him. But will it remake Felix as his enemies fall?’

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

A fabulous read. Slow and sophisticated it gently explores the changes in Russia from the Bolshevik uprising to the Cold War, as viewed through the cultured eyes of a non-person trapped in a former gilded cage.

‘On 21 June 1922 Count Alexander Rostov – recipient of the Order of Saint Andrew, member of the Jockey Club, Master of the Hunt – is escorted out of the Kremlin, across Red Square and through the elegant revolving doors of the Hotel Metropol.

But instead of being taken to his usual suite, he is led to an attic room with a window the size of a chessboard. Deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the Count has been sentenced to house arrest indefinitely.

While Russia undergoes decades of tumultuous upheaval, the Count, stripped of the trappings that defined his life, is forced to question what makes us who we are. And with the assistance of a glamorous actress, a cantankerous chef and a very serious child, Rostov unexpectedly discovers a new understanding of both pleasure and purpose.’

Virginia Water…

One Sunday recently we met Terry and Gill and went for a walk in Windsor Great Park by Virginia Water and joined the many families out and about with their kids and dogs to perambulate along the lake side. We walked tow the fabulous cascades and then back to the pub where we enjoyed a lovely lunch. It was cold out but bright and full of promise. 

The Birthplace of British Motorsport & Aviation…

We had a great day out at the Brooklands Museum where there was a display of British Marques cars along with the permanent display such as the Concord, Vickers Vimy, London Transport Bus Museum, the Barnes Wallis Stratosphere Chamber, Grand Prix exhibition, and various historic cars, bikes (bicycles and motor cycles), planes, all in the historic site with its club house, hangers and the famous banked track. 

The White Stuff…

We have had some late winter snow here in the UK and it has been worse in some parts of the country than others. For us it was just a few inches of the white stuff, but it hampered travel and so as I have the technology I worked from home for a few days on my computer with only Netflix for company and occasionally venturing out for supplies to the local shop or to clear the ice blocking the condenser pipe from the boiler. Called the 'Beast from East' on the news it did cause many problems in Scotland and the north of the country especially with large drifts blocking access to rural communities. In Finland, we understand they called it ‘just another day’. 

More of wot I have heard…

Nat ‘King’ Cole & Me by Gregory Porter

In Winter by Katie Melua

Edge of the Sun by Calexico

Bob Harris Country Sessions by various artists

Turning Tides by Wildwood Kin

More of wot I have read…

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Pulitzer prize winning post-apocalyptic novel that was turned into a riveting film is a dark and haunting read about hope trying desperately to overcome seemingly overwhelming odds.

‘A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, “each the other’s world entire,” are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.’

Ship of Rome by John Stack

An interesting story for the historical elements, though somewhat lacking in narrative or character development.

‘Against a backdrop of the clash of the Roman and Carthaginian empires, the battle for sovereignty takes place on the high seas Atticus, captain of one of the ships of Rome's small, coastal fleet, is from a Greek fishing family. Septimus, legionary commander, reluctantly ordered aboard ship, is from Rome, born into a traditionally army family. It could never be an easy alliance. But the arrival of a hostile fleet, larger, far more skilful and more powerful than any Atticus has encountered before, forces them to act together. So Atticus, one of Rome's few experienced sailors, finds himself propelled into the middle of a political struggle that is completely foreign to him. Rome need to build a navy fast but the obstacles are many; political animosities, legions adamant that they will only use their traditional methods; Roman prejudice even from friends, that all those not born in Rome are inferior citizens. The enemy are first class, experienced and determined to control the seas. Can Atticus, and the fledgling Roman navy, staffed with inexperienced sailors and unwilling legionaries, out-wit and out-fight his opponents?’

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

The Wise Man's Fear, also called The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day Two, follows The Name of the Wind in a similar style with a detailed portrait of the world and its inhabitants that our hero wanders through and encounters in an almost random manner. The supremely capable and rather arrogant main character develops a different set of skills now as slowly he continues to reveal snippets of information that may lead him towards his goal.

‘In The Wise Man's Fear, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, forced to reclaim the honor of his family, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived...until Kvothe.

Now, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.’

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

This idea of a new second life after a full one seems intriguing, but I found I was more interested in why the Earth got in the situation it did, why it was so isolated, and why only Americans joined the Army? The aliens, bizarre mixture of high and not so high technology, and state of constant war was less enthralling.

‘At seventy-five years old, John Perry is after a fresh start - so, naturally, he joins the army. Earth's military machine can transform elderly recruits, restoring their lost youth. But in return, its Colonial Defence Force demands two years of hazardous service in space. This is how Perry finds himself in a new body, crafted from his original DNA. A genetically enhanced and upgraded new body, ready for battle.

But upgrades alone won't keep Perry safe. He'll be fighting for his life on the front line as he defends humanity's colonies from hostile aliens. He'll pay the price for his choices, and he'll discover the universe is even more dangerous than he imagined.’

  

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin

After the author passed away recently I thought I ought to read one of her books to see what it was all about and started with this one. I don’t think I will be trying the others any time soon. I did not have any sympathy for the main character and was not engaged in the narrative either.

‘The first book of "Earthsea" is a tale of wizards, dragons and terrifying shadows. The island of Gont is a land famous for wizards. Of these, some say the greatest - and surely the greatest voyager - is the man called Sparrowhawk. As a reckless, awkward boy, he discovered the great power that was in him - with terrifying consequences. Tempted by pride to try spells beyond his means, Sparrowhawk lets loose an evil shadow-beast in his land. Only he can destroy it, and the quest leads him to the farthest corner of Earthsea.’

Diggers by Terry Pratchett

Aimed at a much younger reader this book is light and humorous with just a few hints of darkness and deeper subtext.

‘'And Grimma said, We have two choices.

We can run, or we hide.

And they said, Which shall we do?

She said, We shall Fight.'

A Bright New Dawn is just around the corner for thousands of tiny nomes when they move into the ruined buildings of an abandoned quarry. Or is it?

Soon strange things start to happen. Like the tops of puddles growing hard and cold, and the water coming down from the sky in frozen bits. Then humans appear and they really mess everything up. The quarry is to be re-opened, and the nomes must fight to defend their new home. But how long will they be able to keep the humans at bay - even with the help of the monster Jekub?

Diggers is the second title in a hugely inventive and hilarious fantasy trilogy about the nomes, a race of little people in a world of humans.’

Family Fun...

Jamie and Gia visited us recently and gave me a lovely National Geographic coffee table book. We caught up and played a couple of games until Barbara and Deb joined us for a Chinese inspired dinner that included our steamed buns. We also managed to get them all to play Sushi Go Party before Barbara took Deb home again. The next day the rest of us had a leisurely start and a pleasant walk to the train station where we said our goodbyes.

Birthday Treats...

For my birthday this year, Sue spoilt me rotten. On the Saturday we visit Two Temple Place where there was a Jazz exhibition called Rhythm & Reaction in a fabulous building that is not normally open to the public, then we went on to the National Gallery before going to the matinee of Young Frankenstein, and finishing up with a few drinks at the Savoy American Bar. On Sunday we had the godsons and their parents over and we played a couple of games I had bought them at Christmas – Charly and Virulence– both were hits with the group.

Uncle Tony...

Sue’s Uncle Tony lost his battle with cancer in January and we attended his funeral which was packed out with friends, family, and business colleagues all coming to pay their respects. It was a very moving day. 

Whilst the cat's away...

Sue, Deb, Carole and Blonde Deb visit Marrakech for Blondie’s 50^th birthday where they stayed at the Eden Andalou Hotel. Whilst they ventured out into the town and the markets, and took a drive up into the Atlas Mountains, I had the boys around and we played a variety of games (whilst the cat’s away…).

Old Wood...

Marc had another visit with us in January and we played a few games, with Sue stuffing us at Ticket to Ride. We also took a drive out into the countryside and ended up visiting a 4000-year-old Yew Tree at Crowhurst. 

Fun with Friends...

Marc & Heather & Elise came over from Sweden and stayed with us for a few days over the Christmas/New Year period whilst they visited friends and family. We kept them busy but managed to get out to play in the park and to feed carrots to the donkeys. Another semi-regular event is a walk and talk with friends and colleagues old and new. This time we were at Dinton Pastures Country Park near Reading where we walked around the ponds together (Marc played with Elise in the fabulous play area) and later we went on to have a meal at a pub called the Jolly Farmers in Hurst.

 New Year’s Eve was spent at home with Whittenburys and Harrison-Dinniss clans. We had a convivial time eating a lovely meal, chatting and consuming a few drinks that culminated in watching Jools Holland’s Hootenanny.

On New Year’s Day, we went for a walk in Banstead Woods where they have a new Narnia Trail (a wood carving artist has created large sculptures out of dead trees, and other wood products, that represent things from the children’s books). We went on over the muddy and slippery paths (unfortunately Marc had a couple of tumbles) until we got to the Ramblers Rest where we recovered.

Christmas by the sea...

Christmas and Boxing Day was spent at Seaford at Chris & Lynne’s home that had been decorated in style and where the provided a fabulous spread. We were joined by Barbara and Debs and had a merry old time. On Boxing Day, we had a brisk walk along the cliffs until a squall forced us into a pub seeking shelter. 

Furlong Road Residents and Supporters...

We have a semi-regular gathering of Furlong Road Residents and Supporters, and before Christmas this was in Dorking (our local curry house having shut down), at the Mirch Mahal where we have lovely food and enjoyed the company. 

Period Festivities...

To get some fresh air we went and visited Polesden Lacey where they decorate the house up in a Christmas style in keeping with the period of the building. There is much festivities and even a ‘reindeer’ drawn carriage ride for the kids (horses wearing antlers and red noses).

Festive Tunes...

A regular event that heralds the festive season is the carol singing arranged by my Uncle Terry in a neighbour’s house at Tring. It is always well attended by talented musical friends and enthusiastic amateurs all in good voice and humour.  

Celebrations...

Some time back now we visited Jamie and Gia in London when her mum was over. We went with Barbara and Deb and had a pleasant time together.

For Debbie’s latest birthday we went to the Railway Tavern near where she lives, and where many of her friends meet. There was a DJ set up in one corner playing Northern Soul classics and the place was heaving with people enjoying themselves. 

Relocation, relocation, relocation...

Late last year I relocated to an office in Horsham as our management has been insisting on us office workers being physically in the office every day, even if we have previously agreed to work from home a couple days a week. Considering we are a global company technology company, all have laptops and mobile skype communications, have bosses and colleagues in various locations across the globe, it seems to be an issue of trust, or the lack thereof. So, I have arranged to work from one of our group company offices closer to home even though it has no direct relationship to the work or business I do. The journey now is half the time and distance and avoids motorways and the town is quite pleasant (there is even a board game shop there). 

More of wot I have read…

Death’s End by Cixin Liu

This is the final part of an ongoing series about humans and aliens and the possibilities around their interaction. Over this series, the author has endeavoured to put forward several grand ideas and has postulated how our civilisation may evolve and the dangers we may encounter because of humanities reach into the unknown. The final book goes even further than the others, all the way to Death’s End to explore a possible conclusion (or is it?) to the story he has woven so skilfully.

‘Half a century after the Doomsday Battle, the uneasy balance of Dark Forest Deterrence keeps the Trisolaran invaders at bay.

Earth enjoys unprecedented prosperity due to the infusion of Trisolaran knowledge and, with human science advancing and the Trisolarans adopting Earth culture, it seems that the two civilizations can co-exist peacefully as equals without the terrible threat of mutually assured annihilation. But peace has made humanity complacent.

Cheng Xin, an aerospace engineer from the 21st century, awakens from hibernation in this new age. She brings knowledge of a long-forgotten program dating from the start of the Trisolar Crisis, and her presence may upset the delicate balance between two worlds. Will humanity reach for the stars or die in its cradle?’

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

This was a book given to me by a friend, which is the first in the Kingkiller Chronicle. As the first book in a planned trilogy, the author spends a lot of time developing the main character, explaining his origins and motivations that will guide his actions in the future. This could be a slow and drawn out process but he is a skilled writer who paints a detailed and intriguing world without giving away all its secrets, leaving you wanting more.

‘My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as "quothe." Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I've had more names than anyone has a right to. The Adem call me Maedre. Which, depending on how it's spoken, can mean The Flame, The Thunder, or The Broken Tree.

"The Flame" is obvious if you've ever seen me. I have red hair, bright. If I had been born a couple of hundred years ago I would probably have been burned as a demon. I keep it short but it's unruly. When left to its own devices, it sticks up and makes me look as if I have been set afire.

"The Thunder" I attribute to a strong baritone and a great deal of stage training at an early age.

I've never thought of "The Broken Tree" as very significant. Although in retrospect, I suppose it could be considered at least partially prophetic.

My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them.

But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know."

I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

So begins the tale of Kvothe—from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages you will come to know Kvothe as a notorious magician, an accomplished thief, a masterful musician, and an infamous assassin. But The Name of the Wind is so much more—for the story it tells reveals the truth behind Kvothe's legend.’

Quality Time…

As part of uncle Terry’s birthday we met in London and visited the Science Museum, and in particular the Clockmakers of London exhibition (displayed in a non-ironic chronological order). Here we saw some very interesting pieces and got to appreciate the impact changing society had on timepieces and vice versa (such as global navigation and Joseph Harrisons marine clocks). We also saw a few of the many other interesting items on display while we were there (Babbage’s Difference Engine, Stephenson’s Rocket and a small part of the Wellcome Collection). We then walked through the Christmassy Covent Garden down to Rules restaurant where we had a most enjoyable luncheon. 

Countryside Crafts…

We supported our friend, Paul’s, new Hedges & Hurdles venture by participating in his two-day hedge-laying training course. A hands-on practical experience where you learn basic tool use and what types of wood to use for what purpose. The course starts with a day of preparation where you coppice raw materials, split wood and get used to the equipment. The second day you tackle the unruly hedge, cutting, shaping and laying the living plants and securing them in place with the stakes and binders made the day before. A very rewarding and informative course run by a champion hedge-layer and enthusiastic woodsman. 

Serious Fun…

A full day of table top gaming with friends where we played mostly space themed games including Pulsar 2849, Alien Artefacts, and Terraforming Mars among others. I didn’t win many but had a great time trying.

Gaming Nirvana…

Essen Spiel is where you can go to lose yourself completely in the world of (analogue) games, be they all things table-top (miniatures, card, dice, or abstract), Role Play Games (pen and paper, and Live Action Role Play) and for all levels (children games, casual players, party games and serious gamers).

As seems to be the general trend these conventions are growing in size and popularity and the games are becoming broader in appeal, attracting a wide variety of people. Essen has its fair share of sun deprived social outcasts but it does also attract a more ‘normal’ and family crowd as the Euro tradition of gaming seems to be wider spread.

Unlike the UK Games Expo and GenCon there is less emphasis on playing at the convention, it being more of a huge series of trade halls. And this means many people gather at hotels after the show day to play into the wee small hours.

We have used a small family hotel called Handelshof some distance away from the convention centre for many years now and have a friendly group of people to play with who have become good friends over time. This year several palls came in from far and wide (New Zealand, Sweden, Belgium and South Africa) and as well as gaming we managed to socialise at dinner and over drinks. One dining highlight was at the Mousetrap restaurant for pig knuckle followed by apple strudel. 

Family Gastronomy…

Uncle Tony gathered many of the family together for a tasting menu dinner at the newly opened Sorrel (by award winning chef Steve Drake) in Dorking. The food was quite sublime, though the exoticness of some of the dishes did not appeal to everyone. Also, as it was newly opened and extremely popular, we felt at times the service struggled to match the quality of the food. Something I am sure they will fix as they get up to speed. 

Autumnal Pleasures…

England in the autumn is a jolly fine place indeed. We have managed to get out and experience a bit of it at RHS Wisley where we witnessed woodland skills being performed and the spectacular colours of the trees. We also enjoyed a good harvest in the garden of fruits and vegetable (potatoes, pumpkin and squashes, raspberries and grapes). Mild temperatures have allowed us to go for few walks in our nearby countryside as well. I final flourish before we head into the long dark winter.