More of wot I have read…

Miss Garnet’s Angel by Sally Vickers

We have been picking up strange books at the local fairs and charity shops as they are so cheep and this book was one of those for me. I had a faint recollection about hearing of it before on the radio where they discussed its themes. The story of Tobias and the Angel Rafael stuck in my mind. It is definitely an odd little book that seems to wander aimlessly around at times, where the main character seems to be equally befuddled about what is going on too. Nevertheless it has many good points too and could be worth your time if you don’t mind something more esoteric than athletic.


‘When a friend dies, Julia Garnet goes to stay in Venice where a lifetime of caution is challenged. She encounters the paintings in the local church which tell the story of Tobias and the Angel. The ancient tale of Tobias, who travels to Media unaware he is accompanied by the Archangel Raphael, unfolds alongside Julia Garnet's contemporary journey. As she unravels the story's history, Julia's own life is thrown into question – for, like the shifting sea-light of Venice, nothing here is quite as it seems.’


Have the men had enough by Margaret Forster

When I had finished the Angel book I was hunting around for something else to read and so I picked my wife’s ‘second’ book. It was most definitely not some I would have chosen had there been any alternatives and it was a very different book to what I am used to. Concentrating on the difficulties of dealing with an elderly relative decent into senility it is an emotionally tough book that seems to be either written as a text for home-carers or for the more masochistic reader. Not something I would recommend unless you are particularly interested in the subject matter.


‘What do men run away from? Not war, not physical hardship, but the day-to-day emotional demands of impossible domestic situations. That's women's work. This is a story of female courage, where black comedy turns to disturbing pathos revolving around the rights of an indomitable woman’

Trip to France…

We have just returned from a lovely trip to the Aveyron region of France with my Aunt and Uncle for a week. We stayed at a family run hotel that specialises in local cuisine and is situated on the river at the base of premonitory on which sits the wonderful town of Najac with it’s fortress dominating the view and the area around.

We travelled by budget airline to the quiet airport of Rodez (not a town high on our recommendations to visit), which has one flight a day, one gate, one conveyer system and several staff who seem to have many jobs, changing hats when they walk through a door.

This area is known for its rugged scenery of many valleys and gorges and of the Bastide towns. Rouergue Bastides were fortified towns built on a square often with a covered market in the middle surrounded be arcades and having straight roads leading off that could be easily defended in times of crisis. And this region of France seems to have had more than its share of crises with the English / French conflicts and the various wars of religion. It seems that there are more fortified towns, defensible chateaus and castles here than I have seen any where else in the country.

We travelled around a lot, perhaps too much, and visited many places of historical significance or architectural beauty, stopping several times on route to take in the views or to watch the wildlife. Some of the places we stopped at included:

• We went the Chateau Du Bosc where Toulouse-Lautrec spent many years with his family, where he tragically broke his legs and where he practiced his drawing. We were guided around the eccentric house be equally eccentric women and saw some of Henri’s early works including sketches he drew on the plaster walls. On a separate trip we also visited where he was born at Hotel Bosc in Albi.
• The Beaulieu Abbey suffered during the religious wars but it was been restored as a gallery where the impressively large and bare space sets of the artwork very well.
• The little town of Varen was intriguing as it could be missed when driving along the main road, and yet it had a wonderful unspoilt few streets of mediaeval houses.
• Precarious Penne was remarkable for displaying the lengths people would go to when building a castle, picking the highest and most inaccessible point to locate it.
• Beautiful Belcastle had been restored be an architect and had been modified somewhat to include modern spaces within the structure that could be rented out. It sat above one of the most picturesque villages in the region. It perhaps looked a too perfect and romantic village to be real and lacked some sense of life.
• Saint Antonin Noble Var was an interesting town that showed all the signs of being a busy place, but the old town had lovely quiet spaces where you could get a sense of what it would have looked like long ago. It also had a small steep street called rue Bombecul, or the street that makes you stick your backside out!
• Sauveterre De Rouergue was another beautiful but somewhat deserted town.
• Villefranche-de-Rouergue an the other hand is a big and bustling town/city, especially on market day when you get a sense of how these Bastides would have looked in thier heyday.
• The towering Saint Cecile Basilica was the highlight of Albi, another large town/city. Looking like a huge brick Air-craft carrier in the middle of town this building was built to impress and awe the populace, and seeing in all its majestic glory during a moving Sunday service it still makes a big impression these days. What was also fascinating was demonstrations of mediaeval workmanship in front of it as re-enactors made rope, scaffolding, hew logs, and scaled the walls to show the trades used in the buildings construction.
  

As is our want we over indulged, on the scenery, history, food and wine. We were almost glad to get back home for a rest.

If I were a carpenter…

Those of you who know me well will understand why DIY is not my thing. For someone who likes to think of himself as a creative person with a gentle and fine touch, writing stories and painting pictures, I am usually totally inept with larger tools like a hammer and a saw. So it is with a certain amount of self pride that I managed to put up a couple of shelves, build a unit to support the TV, and fashion some skirting board out of scraps of wood found in the shed without too much collateral damage (some saw marks on the patio table, slightly rustic finish to the woodwork, and some filler in the larger gaps).

To Hull and back…

Jamie made an unexpected visit to home for a couple of days and we caught up and fed him up before I somehow found myself driving him back to his new digs in Hull midweek, where I picked a few things that wouldn’t fit into his new room and brought them back, 11 hours later, to clutter up his room at home. The long drive did give us some quality time to talk about this and that. We had planned to visit him the following weekend but I wasn’t too busy at work and could take time off and now we have our weekend free to do a few chores and to follow the Westcott historical weekend tour around some local attractions.

More of wot I have read…

Timeline by Michael Crichton

I found this book quite a page turned and I think it was mainly due to the author’s ability to write fast paced action sequences. The detail and research that went into the story was obvious, though it did occasionally trip him up. There were definitely some ‘written for the movies’ type of setup noticeable in some scenes, but nevertheless I found the book a good read.


‘In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site.

Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival–six hundred years ago…’


Apparently there was also a movie made of the book, but it bombed and disappeared into obscurity.

Poor harvest…

The dark and damp English summer has prevented many of our crops from growing well. We know we would have some problems because we were late in getting some in the ground, but the adverse weather has just compounded the problem. We had to pick all of the tomatoes green and immature as they had started to get blight from the high humidity, so Sue spent a long time turning them into chutney. We have dug up all of our potatoes now and the small haul was further lessened by slug damage. Being out in the countryside brings new problems to gardening and although it is wonderful to see deer wandering around it is necessary to fence of the allotment to prevent them from eating everything you have grown. Nevertheless the conditions have meant that we didn’t have to spend much time watering and allowed us to do other things in the evenings and weekends. We have supplemented our harvest with foraged food for free and have managed to collect plenty of blackberries, some plums, a load of apples and even one mushroom (several others we picked up were discarded as being potentially dangerous).

Dupuytren’s Contracture…

Bent fingers are the noticeable effect of Dupuytren’s Contracture (so named after a French physician) which is sometimes referred to as the Viking disease. Several months ago I noticed a lump had appeared on the palm of my left hand. There was no pain other than a slight sensitivity when it was put under pressure. I tried not to think about it too much and hoped it would go away over time, but it didn’t, so when I had a check-up at my local doctor I asked him what it was. Apparently it is a rather common affliction, especially with people of northern European or Viking decent or with people who suffer from epilepsy, liver disease, diabetes and alcoholism and can be inherited. I had never heard of it before and didn’t know anyone in my family to suffer from it and I was pretty sure I didn’t suffer from any of the other diseases, so the doctor ran some additional blood tests and referred me to a specialist. The bloods came back fine showing I was otherwise healthy and the specialist was rather dismissive of the condition. He explained that what I saw was early signs and that it would be likely to progress slowly such that my little finger would become more bent as the growth in palm started to develop and limit the extension of the tendons. He said that they do not recommend and action until the fingers are bent to at least 30 degrees as the only relief was to break down the growth with surgery that runs the risk of damaging the tendons and nerves and doesn’t actually prevent it from reoccurring. It would seem that medical science is not totally sure what causes it and doesn’t have a cure. It least, for the moment, it is only in my left hand and is not causing my any real problem. I should get around to having those guitar lessons soon before it’s too late – I bought a guitar over a year ago and still haven’t done anything with it.

More of wot I have read…

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

This is an unusual book by design and it can be confusing and complicated in places, but that seems to be the author’s intention to reflect the absurdity of the war time situations that the characters find themselves in.

‘There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.
"That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed.
"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.’

Playing games…

Dark Matter D20 RPG

This RPG is set in a modern world where the supernatural and mysterious events are known to be real and hidden from the general public by complex lies and conspiracies. The players work for a shadowy organisation called the Hoffman Institute investigating the various bizarre events. We use the Fantasy Grounds virtual desktop and Skype to be able to play and communicate as if we were around a table.


StarWars - star ship battles

This a quick table top game that utilises the collectable Star Wars star ship miniatures, a playing surface showing a grid covered star field and some stat-cards and counters. Two players choose between the Imperial and Rebel forces and move their battle ships and fighters around the star field manoeuvring into positions to enable them to destroy the other’s ships. We also call this our ‘waiting for James to turn up game’.


BloodBowl

This is a fun game that should not be taken too seriously. Loosely based on Gridiron this table top game pits teams of various fantasy races (orcs, goblins, dwarves, elves etc) in mortal competition where the score line is often secondary to the death toll. Although strategy is an important attribute to the game a certain amount of randomness is guaranteed with the use of dice roles to decide outcomes of player’s actions. Teams have different abilities and specialities and so we have tried to pick several teams that have different characteristics to vary the game play.


Myth-Weaver PBEM (play-by-e-mail)

We have decided to start playing a variation of the old play-by-mail type of games utilizing modern technology and are going to use the Myth-Weaver site as a host. The scenario for this game is interesting as it will be a variation on the classic apocalypse setting; called Inherited Earth it depicts a modern world that has befallen the Rapture where the good have gone to heaven, the bad to hell and the ‘meek’ have inherited the earth, though for some reason fiends and angles still battle it out too.

More of wot I have heard…

Amy Macdonald – This is the Life

It is nice to see more and more talented youngster who can actually play instruments and write a decent song. The new wave of singer songwriters are take influences from both new and old looking at current musicians and revisiting old standards. I think we are very lucky at the moment with the choice and quality of talent out there and Amy Macdonald is one of that group that is well worth investing in.

‘It's all Pete Doherty's fault. No, it's down to Red Hot Chili Peppers. Or do we finger Fran Healy of Travis? Nah, sod it, let's blame Ewan McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal. They're movie stars, proper ones. They're used to shouldering serious responsibility.

If it weren't for these artists, Amy Macdonald wouldn't be the teen-sensation singer-songwriter she is now. She'd still be kicking round Glasgow, an undergraduate at university, studying social sciences with an emphasis on geography. The highlight of her year would continue to be her annual pilgrimage to T In The Park, whereat she and her mates would party under canvas for 48 hours, forget their own names, and maybe see some bands. Amy Macdonald would still be a nobody, instead of a somebody out of whom great songs just flood. Amy was 12 when her world wobbled on its axis. She was on a family outing to Rothesay on Scotland's west coast. Her gran gave her some money to treat herself. Instead of buying a tenner's worth of ice-cream she bought a CD: The Man Who by Travis. It was the first album Amy ever owned. She was blown away: simple songs (Driftwood, Why Does It Always Rain On Me?, Writing To Reach You), sung brilliantly, roaring powerfully in her ears and in her head.

Inspired, adolescent Amy picked up one of the guitars her dad had lying round the house. He never played them; he'd never been in a band and had only 'mucked about' on the instrument with his pals when he was younger. And Amy just taught herself how to play the thing. There were no genetic influences, nor even lessons. Just a good ear and few chord patterns found on the internet. And a huge, burning, raging desire to write and play songs.’


Pink Martini – Hey Eugene!

We were first introduced to Pink Martini by a friend who had their first album, Sympathique, and we intrigued by the diverse sound. When I heard the title track of their latest album I was hooked. Every song is different and shows the depth of talent that forms this ensemble group as they perform songs with French, Arabic, Japanese lyrics, orchestral, hot club, tea dance style with influences to many to identify. This band is captivating and eclectic and well worth trying if you like your music with a bit of class.

‘“Pink Martini is like a romantic Hollywood musical of the 1940s or 50s – but with a global perspective which is modern,” says founder and artistic director Thomas M. Lauderdale. “We bring melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is new and beautiful.”

The Portland, Oregon-based ‘little orchestra’ was founded in 1994 by Lauderdale, a Harvard graduate and classically trained pianist, to play political fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights, the environment, affordable housing and public broadcasting. In the years following Pink Martini grew from four musicians to its current twelve, and has gone on to perform its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Canada and the United States.’


Richard Hawley – Lady’s Bridge

I have heard of this artist for sometime, lauded by music critics as one of the country’s best singer-songwriters for those in the know. Richard Hawley is an artist that does not manufacture songs but hand crafts instant classics that once heard seem to have always been there.

‘In an era where next big things, scenes and in-sounds flash by and even our favourite tunes are listened to on shuffle we need music that will stick around for a while, albums that we can go on listening to in one sitting until they wear out like previous generations had done with their Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles and The Smiths records.

Something real. Something timeless. Something proper.

Just as he did with the Mercury nominated Coles Corner, Richard Hawley has risen once again to the challenge of quality in a cheap thrills economy. Recorded between January and June this year his new album Lady’s Bridge is filled with enough classics to last you a lifetime. Great music doesn’t need hype, it makes its own friends. And Lady’s Bridge will find plenty.’

More of wot I have watched…

The man who lost his head

This ‘made for TV movie’ just aired here in the UK, and it would appear at the same time in New Zealand as the NZ Herald review shows.

Not knowing what to expect as we aimlessly flicked channels on the weekend we were immediately attracted by the recognisable and beautiful scenery of New Zealand that shone out of our TV, though we were somewhat surprised to see Martin Clunes wandering through the countryside view.

This movie is not particularly challenging and the actors often play stereotypes, but for the UK audience the slightly exotic feel of the places, people and politics of a land on the other side of the world was refreshing when compared to our daily serving of reality/cooking/home-buying/soap shows. We thoroughly enjoyed the programme and felt uplifted by the sentimental and romantic storyline and would recommend it for light relief especially for old fashioned family viewing.

Womad / Womud

This was our third Womad and the first time it has been at it’s new home in the Earl of Suffolk’s front lawn at Charlton Park in Wiltshire near Malmsbury. Unfortunately for everybody the rain came early (more than a month’s rain in 24hours) and turned the site into a mud bath. Still we understand it was not nearly as bad as Glastonbury, and considering the event population was a mere fraction of theirs, we were thankful. The worst of the weather came early on Thursday as we pitched tents and in the evening on Saturday, so it didn’t stop us getting out to the venue. Our party was boosted this year by three new recruits giving us a good, fun, group,

The mud did slow everybody down around the site and resulted in some stages being closed and some artists being stranded and the programme being changed, so we were not able to see all of the acts we would have wanted to. Nevertheless we did get to see a good few, including:

Blind Boys of Alabama and Solomon Burke – they have been around forever and are still going strong. These energetic performers had to be virtually restrained at times.
Dulsori – Korean drumming almost as a martial art, mad, frantic and full on workout.
Peter Gabriel – celebrating 25 years of Womad he was convinced to play this year.
Kronos Quartet – classical music as you have never heard it before.
Warsaw Village Band – folk music from Eastern Europe played with passion.
Ben Taylor – a very cool and mellow singer-songwriter.
Calexico – one of my favourite bands who play a Tex-Mex style.
Seth Lakeman – He is making British folk cool and is young and good looking at the same time.
The Imagined Village – A folk dream-team and the highlight for us at this year’s event.

Along with the music the site boasted a relaxation area (with many alternative therapies on offer), a cooking tent (with demonstrations of exotic fare), the Steam Powered Fairground, many worthy causes had stalls and of course the shop holders and food stalls. Again this year as previous the Pieminster food stall was voted our favourite (chicken Thai curry pie with mash and gravy being the most popular with our crowd). Naturally some drink was consumed too (rather more than any of us care to remember).

The weather and overindulgence combined with our middle aged frames took its toll and we decamped in the afternoon on Sunday rather than staying for another night, and we were glad to be home to a cleansing bath and comfortable bed.

One particular disappointment was not being able to get to see Te Matarae I Orehu, the Maori song and dance troupe. Paul managed to catch some of their act as we were at another tent and said they were brilliant. Young Tom spent much of the next day on the lookout for fearsome tattooed warriors with their tongues sticking out - like the picture in the programme (unfortunately to no avail).

There is a good chance that we will come back next year.

More of wot I have read…

The Judgement of Caesar by Steven Saylor

We picked this book up in the local Oxfam shop and didn’t realise that it is the last in the series of Roma Sub Rosa books. It is an entertaining read, especially if you enjoy historical drama and intrigue – it might be worth finding the first in this series and working from there – the book stands on its own, but it does make pointed references to previous stories.

‘In 48 B.C., Roman generals Caesar and Pompey have long engaged in a battle to rule the world. Now, as Pompey plots a reckless stand on the banks of the Nile, Gordianus the Finder-who has brought his wife Bethesda to the river seeking a cure for her in its sacred waters-finds himself suddenly at the heart of a series of treacherous and history-altering events.

While Caesar and Cleopatra embark on a legendary romance, Egypt remains ravaged by the brutal contest between the Queen and her brother King Ptolemy. Worst of all for Gordianus, his once-disowned son and Caesar's right-hand man, stands falsely accused of murder. Caesar's judgment will decide Meto's fate and it is up to Gordianus to somehow overcome colossal malevolent forces to reveal the carefully obscured truth and spare his son's life.’

More of wot I have read…

Semi-Detached by Griff Rhys Jones

This is a sensitive and gently funny account of the early formative years of Griff Rhys Jones’s life up until the time he joined the BBC and became well known.


‘From birth through bell-bottoms to the BBC…

Semi-Detached is Griff Rhys Jones’s own account of his ordinary suburban childhood; of adolescent scraps and scrapes; of coming of age in the 1960s and 70s; of family and university life; and of times lost or at least fuzzy around the edges.

It’s a powerful, moving and above all touchingly funny memoir of how one of the nation’s most popular comics and personalities got from there to here…’

Beer by name and by nature…

This year Sue’s birthday coincided with the annual Albury Morris weekend adventure of traditional dance, music and of drink.

We drove down to Beer in Dorset with my Aunt and Uncle, stopping midway for a sandwich a pint and a then at the National Trust property of Lytes Cary Manor (misheard by me as Light Scary Manor) before arriving in time to meet up with the others for another drink before dinner (you can see a theme starting to emerge).

The village of Beer is quaint and retains much of the feel of the original fishing village, albeit sanitised and more affluent than when it relied on that trade. The proximity to the sea did mean that the restaurant we had our evening meal in had a great fish menu that was enjoyed by all. A local pub was selected for the ritual occupation as the massed Morris brought out their musical instruments and sang and drank into the night.

The weekend was superbly organised by Pete and included a tram ride between Seaton and Colyton down beside the bird spotter’s paradise of the Axe valley. We watched the Morris side dance and joined them in some cold refreshments at their allotted venues. A coach took the merry group on to Sidmouth where the dancing outside was put off by the increasingly inclement weather and the group again selected pubs at random to occupy. As alcohol levels increased the side became bolder and soon the regulars were in awe of the sight of several beery and unusually clad older men prancing around the bar alternatively waving hankies and bashing sticks together (having more members than is required for each dance means that the performers can alternate as they tire or require additional refreshment such that a constant barrage of concussive stick dances and percussive bells tied to the legs that accompanies the more musical concertinas, accordions and boron drives the landlord and any potential opposition into submission). Later it was back to Beer where we had some time to freshen up and relax before continuing on with the festivities. I came down to the dinner fashionable late blaming the headaches (I actually was watching the final Dr Who of the series – brilliant it has been too) where we ate some more, drank some more and, after the tables and chairs were pushed to side of the room, singing and traditional dancing ensued.

The following day we checked out and the group decamped arranging to meet at Lyme Regis where they danced on the Cobb as the sea spray plumed over the wall and then retired to a lovely pub at Axemouth for lunch and another dance before finally disbanding and dispersing quietly into the countryside from whence they came like the crack commando dance team they are.

A vote for de-evolution…

We had a pretty good early spring this year, but that has since been overshadowed by a crappy summer so far. Floods have devastated parts of the country and everywhere else has become steadily waterlogged too. We are not too surprised with a certain amount of meteorological variability in this country, it being the stereotypical topic of choice here. It is expected that Wimbledon will be extended due to rain (why they don’t have a roof over central court is a mystery), that Glastonbury will be knee deep in mud and posh people will be paddling around the Hampton Court Flower Show, but we usually hope to see some sun in-between these events. Alas it is not to be this year and we, desperate for a chance to enjoy the great outdoors, look skyward for a little glimmer of light so that we can have a BBQ and use our new patio furniture. So it was that we took a chance and listened to tales that this weekend was going to be the hottest this year and made arrangements to cook over an open fire both Saturday and Sunday. We got away with it on Saturday when James and Nikala came over and we cooked Sue’s jerked pork and ate it outdoors and sat drinking and talking until nearly midnight. Sunday though was a different story and we pushed our luck by having a dozen people over (much too many to accommodate indoors) for the afternoon. Things started out promisingly as we had nibbles and drinks on the deck, but we noticed the sky darkening and occasional drops of rain as we started eating the prawn kebabs. Stoic British resolve was not enough and we had to repair to the house to consume the chicken kebabs as a thunderstorm passed overhead complete with dramatic lightning and tremendous thunder. Sue put the rack of ribs and sausages in the oven to cook and a short time later and a shout went out the sun had returned – so the brave and slightly damp folk returned to wipe down the furniture – determined to get back outside. By the time the food was cooked the sun had made a welcome appearance and we enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon as we steamed slightly under the sun’s rays. Unfortunately for us Sunday was St. Swithern’s day and tradition says that should it rain on this day then we are in for 40 days and 40 nights of more of the same. So I am considering de-evolution, as the concept of webbed feet and an ability to breathe under water sure could come in handy in the future. Still we don’t have a hose-pipe ban... ...at the moment.

More of wot I have heard…

Smoke of Home by Megson

We saw this duo live at the local folk club and we very impressed with their performance, so much so we bought the latest album. Megson are a talented young couple who manage to reinterpret traditional folk songs in a sympathetic, yet modern manner and also have written new and exciting contemporary folk that is more relevant to them and a modern audience. You are unlikely to hear much of them on the radio, apart from occasional specialist shows, but the do seem to be touring as much as they can at festivals and gigs throughout the UK and Europe. They are well worth checking out.

Wot people say…

Some acquired names for company departments and activities…

The Jedi Council – The Employee Council
The Order Prevention Administration – Oracle Project Administration (the department the processes sales orders)

More of wot I have watched…

Pick of Destiny

A very silly but mildly amusing film only recommended if you are keen on rock music and Jack Black at his maddest as he plays along with his TenaciousD colleague Kyle Gass. The official website is also mildly diverting if you have a few spare moments.


The Pursuit of Happyness

This is an entertaining movie that sometimes ladles the desperation on a little too thick (more than the real life story that it is based on) yet the interplay between will Smith and his real life son does touch the soul.


The Departed

The departed is a very good gangster movie that has enough intrigue and action to satisfy most fans of this genre. There is some very fine acting throughout with some wonderful actors taking on supporting roles, though occasionally the accents of a few jar a bit. Overall it is an edge of the seat rollercoaster ride that journeys quickly through the near two hours duration.


Casino Royal

Another James Bond movie can put of those who are not fans of the series, but this version has some significant differences that might attract those who did not like previous 007 stories and might put off those who did. This story is a darker and more authentic Ian Fleming retelling and the first outing by Daniel Craig is also dark and moody with more than a hint of the psychotic. As with most James Bond stories there are occasional plot holes and stretches of credibility but this film benefits from the new approach and from the film makers choice to use more ‘real’ stunts and less CGI (the parkour chase through the building sight is especially exciting). I enjoyed the film and I welcome more of the same from Daniel Craig.


Hot Fuzz

Hot Fuzz is a very good comedy movie from the makers of Shaun of the Dead and again staring the comedy duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. In a similar vein to Shaun of the Dead and horror movies, hot Fuzz simultaneously pays homage and pokes fun at iconic references in the action/cop movie genre. It is supported by a fantastic cast of veteran British actors who flesh out the silly capers with some style. The official website is nicely put together and entertaining.

More of wot I have read…

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

‘Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to gain the approval of his father and resolves to win the local kite-fighting tournament, to prove that he has the makings of a man. His loyal friend Hassan promises to help him – for he always helps Amir – but this is 1970s Afganistan and Hassan is merely a low-caste servant who is jeered at in the street, although Amir feels jealous of his natural courage and the place he holds in his father’s heart. But neither of the boys could forsee what would happen to Hassan on the afternoon of the tournament, which was to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return, to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.’